Toyota Avensis Saloon (09 on) - Review

Review by Simon Harris on
Last Updated: 21 February 2011
Toyota's Avensis has struggled to stand out in a highly competitive market of large family cars. As people downsize into smaller cars, models such as the Avensis, along with favourites like the Ford Mondeo, have been forced to move upmarket. As a result they're better value alternatives to premium-badge cars like the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. For the 2009 model, Toyota has dropped the hatchback version of the Avensis, perhaps in line with this loftier image (Volkswagen doesn't offer a Passat hatchback, nor Honda an Accord hatch). The Avensis looks rather more elegant than its predecessors and the interior quality is as good as any other in this class. Other notable highlights include impressively low carbon dioxide emissions from the 2.0-litre diesel and excellent overall refinement. There are few thrills to be had though.
4 out of 5

Other Toyota reviews

3.5 out of 5

Running costs

Although large family cars depreciate quite heavily, the Avensis is one of the better performers around. The 1.6-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel models are very fuel efficient and offer low road tax charges. Toyota has also worked to reduce servicing times for the Avensis compared with the previous model which will help keep labour charges down while the car is at the garage. The 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel will return on average 50.4mpg.

* based on most recent data

Estimated fuel cost for 10,000 miles per year

Unleaded

£1,427 - £1,534 *

Diesel

£1,034 - £1,491 *

The estimated fuel cost figure is a guide to how much this model will cost to fuel each year, so you can compare between cars. It's calculated by using the model's average mpg (calculated from both town centre and motorway driving) and the average fuel price. It's based on the following cost-per-litre: petrol 135p and diesel 141p. Prices are updated daily.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

10,000 miles.

Warranty

Three years/60,000 miles. In 2011 the Avensis received a five year warranty or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first).

Road tax (12 months)

£30.00 - £195.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

3.5 out of 5

Green credentials

  • A
  • B
  • C
    119
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
    171
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M

CO2 emission figure (g/km)

Fuel economy rating

The arrows indicate the best and worst CO2 bands for this model.

Emissions summary

The best performing engine is the 2.0 D-4D which in TR specification has lower emissions than some bespoke eco-friendly models in other manufacturers ranges. In T Spirit trim the Avensis with the 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel emits 149g/km of CO2 emissions. The 1.6-litre petrol engine also offers low emissions of 152g/km of CO2 - impressive given its 130bhp output.

Find the exact engine and CO2