Toyota Avensis (2009 - )  

Efficient new 1.8 Valvematic petrol engines almost as economical as diesels. Excellent Multidrive S CVT. Good quality ride. Very reliable.

Dull image. No hatchback. Not as much fun to drive as Mondeo or Mazda 6. 4* for Valvematic Multidrive S. 3* for diesels.

Introduction

This is the new, leaner, greener Avensis. With new, more powerful, and higher revving, yet more economical, lower emission petrol engines, while diesel engines develop more torque at lower revs to give better real world economy.

Anyone wanting to sell cars in Europe now has to meet an overall fleet average of 130g/km CO2 by 2012. On current projections, helped by the ultra low emitting IQ and Aygo, Toyota is on course for 140g/km in 2009, so, along with Honda, is better placed than most to meet the 130g/km limit without incurring EC fines.

This translates into benefits for company car providers and BIK taxpayers because all 1.8 petrol models, including the CVT auto, and all diesels except the D-4D 150 auto and the 180 T-Spirit Tourer come in under 160g/km. And at 154g/km CO2 the BIK percentage of list price of the new 1.8 Valvematic goes down from the 25% of the old Avensis 1.8 to 18% for the new one.

 

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Last updated 29 April 2012
More at the Toyota website  

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Also Consider

  • Mazda 6 2008
    Neatly styled, entry-level models a good balance of ride and handling, excellent 2.2-litre diesel engine.
  • Honda Accord 2008
    Refined and rides smoothly, well thought out interior, ideal with 2.2 i-DTEC engine, robust build quality.
  • Honda Accord Tourer 2008
    Impressively quiet and strong i-DTEC diesel engine, feels well built and reliable, high refinement and comfort levels, styling looks upmarket, lots of underfloor boot storage.
  • Toyota Avensis 2003
    Solid car. Sophisticated multi-link suspension deliberately unstressed for long live. Quite quick T180 diesel from July 2006.

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