What's Good
Launched in Japan as the Allion in January 2002 and in UK as the Avensis in March 2003. A much sleeker, more exciting looking car than the old Avensis. Saloon, hatchback and estate bodies (Verso arrived August 2001). 4,630mm long (estate 4,700mm) x 1,760mm wide. Has 129bhp 1.8 litre direct injected chain cam VVTi petrol engine, 2.0 litre chain cam 147bhp VVTi direct injected petrol and 116bhp 2.0 litre belt cam D-4D, conforming to Euro4 emissions standard (arrived May 2003). Manual or sequential shift automatic on petrol engines.
Handles much better than old Avensis because benefits from Toyota's change in suspension strategy (has double wishbone rear). Nine airbags (including driver's knee bag), a/c, 8 way electric front seats and eight speaker stereo all standard. Satnav and Traffic Avoidance systems optional. Prices from £13,995 for 1.8 VVT-i up to £21,495 for 2.0 VVT-i T Spirit Tourer auto. Low insurance groups from 7E for 1.8 VVT-i through 8E for D-4D to 9E for 2.0 VVT-i Spirit. Best ever ressults in NCAP crash tests gave total score of 34 points and 5 Star rating.
Drives, handles and rides very well, in same class as a Mondeo. Two new engines for 2004: 2.0 D-CAT has NOX and PM reducing cat, develops 114bhp and 280Nm torque. 2.4 DI petrol engine develops 161bhp and 240Nm torque, gets car to 60 in 8.8 seconds. Offered with optional 5-speed sequential multi-mode autobox.
Along with previous model came 19th from top in 2005 JD Power/What Car Survey of 23,000 cars reg Sep 2002 to Aug 2003 with satisfaction score of 82.2%.
New Piezo electronic injected alloy block Euro IV chain-cam diesels announced March 2005 and on sale in UK from early 2006, taking better advantage of its decent chassis. 2.2 D-4D with 148bhp at 3,600rpm and 310Nm from 2,000 to 3,200rpm. Lightweight all-aluminium construction. New, compact six-speed manual transmission. Targeted top speed of 130mph and 0-62mph in 9.3 seconds. Targeted combined fuel consumption of 47.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 156g/km. New 6-speed transmission. Available in the UK from 1st July 2005 at prices from £18,145.
Also 2.2 D-CAT Clean Power, on sale in UK from mid 2006 facelift. 180PS = 175bhp and 400Nm from 2,000 to 2,600rpm. Combined fuel consumption on average 20 per cent lower than rival engines with similar output (target figure). Lighter than most engines in segment, 11 per cent lighter than current 2.0-litre D-4D unit. World’s lowest compression ratio for a production diesel engine, 15.8:1, aiding quieter operation and better performance from start-up. Electrically-activated turbocharger with turbine wheel inertia reduced by 30 per cent for quicker engine response. Sensational 3rd gear overtaking reponse. Toyota D-CAT system makes engine the cleanest on the market for combined nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions. Class-leading cost of ownership profile.
Both 2.2 diesel engines produced in Poland by Toyota Motor Industries Poland (TMIP)
Avensis range refreshed and facelifted from July 2006 with the 175hp D-4D 180, which exclusively powers a new flagship Avensis T180 model, and the D-4D 130, a more powerful replacement for the previous 2.0-litre D-4D engine, with additional gains in fuel consumption and lower exhaust emissions. The new Avensis also delivers improved handling and ride, thanks to a series of detail revisions in the steering and suspension systems.
Upgrades from Spring 2007 including replacing standard satnav on T3-S, T4, T Spirit and T180 from turn-by-turn to full-map, touch-screen system. With TMC monitoring and Dynamic Route Guidance (DRG), the system obtains early alerts to any delays on a programmed route and will automatically offer the driver an alternative, if desired. Also provides an anticipated arrival time at the destination. Further changes include new-design of alloy wheel for the T3-S and T3-X 1.8 VVT-i, 2.0 D-4D and 2.2 D-4D models, with wheel size on the D-4D versions increased from 16 to 17 inches. New fabric upholstery exclusive to the T3-x and T4 has been introduced, with a new stone leather interior newly available as an option on T Spirit models. For the exterior, Venetian Silver metallic joins the colour range available on T4, T Spirit and T180 grades, with Silver Steel metallic now offered on T2, T3-S and T3-X grades.
TR trim grade added June 2007. High specification and value. Key features include full map colour satellite navigation, dual-zone air conditioning and automatic headlights and wipers. Available with 1.8 VVT-i petrol and 2.0 D-4D 130 and 2.2 D-4D 150 diesel engines. On-the-road prices from £17,495 for 1.8 VVT-i TR saloon and hatchback. Prices £400 greater than Avensis T3-x, but with added specification worth more than £1,000.
Joint 8th in 2007 UK J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey with 83.9% score.
Road test and long-term tests of 2003 diesel at:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=90 ;
www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=98 ;
www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=107
Road tests of 2006 facelift D-4D 130 and D-4D 180 at: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=228
More at www.toyota.co.uk
Last updated 19-7-2009
What's Bad
Looks don't appeal to everyone. Looks classier in darker colours. Admitted road noise problem seems to have arisen with 5-door automatics, not caused by tyres.
New model from 2009.
What to Watch Out For
Reports of rattle from steering column/steering rack. Initially irritating rather than dangerous and replacements in short supply. Not replaced under warranty unless actually dangerous. Later recalled.
Report of creaking from steering caused by severe corrosion of the steering rack at 4 years old, though of a car kept in salt air on Anglesey.
Mysterious rattle from the rear experienced by HJ over 6 months with a D-4D.
Make sure recall work has been carried out. If the engine intermittently cuts out and the fault cannot be diagnostically traced it may be due to a faulty safety fuel cut-off solenoid switch. On D-4D, cutting out can also be caused by a build of of salts on a hot wire in the mass airflow sensor.
Reports of speed humps damaging the rear suspension.
Early 1.8 and 2.0 litre VVT-i engines can start to use up to a litre of oil every 600 miles after 40,000 miles due to a bore liner problem and/or being fitted with slightly undersize pistons. By February 2009 Toyota had extended the warranty on these engines to 6 years or 100,000 miles.
Headlight bulb holders can melt, making replacement of bulbs impossible. Toyota replaces headlight units under warranty.
Clutches can fail quite early. Clutch trouble with T180 due to a problem with the master cylinder, not the clutch itself, clutch release or slave cylinder. Failed glow plugs reported on 4 year old D-4Ds. Cost £300 to replace.
Can develop manual gearbox bearing problems.
On 2.0 belt cam D-4Ds reports of "turbos failing and destroying engines at 80k - 100k miles". Probably what is meant is that the swirl flaps in the inlet manifold break off and are ingested into the engine.
High level brake light can fail completely and the whole unit needs replacing, cost £80.
Squealing brakes can sometimes be cured by fitting a shim in the calipers. Toyota dealers know about this.
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