While there’s no denying the Avensis interior is well built the dash layout is uninspiring and not even the silver effect plastics can lift the atmosphere. The permanently back-lit dials help give the interior an upmarket feel, but the dashboard itself looks dated when compared to more modern and tactile rivals. There’s good seat adjustment and both reach and height adjustment for the steering means getting a comfortable driving position in the Avensis is pretty easy to find, although the seating position still feels quite high.

Thanks to a supple suspension set-up the Avensis is excellent over rough roads and proves very comfortable – it’s certainly much happier as a relaxed cruiser rather than being hustled along country roads. Five adults can fit in but the rear space feels gloomy and there’s a lack of leg and headroom, especially compared alongside newer rivals. Another black mark is the intrusive wind noise at higher speeds which takes the edge of refinement.

However air conditioning is standard across the range along with electric front windows.