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Toyota squares up to Mondeo with updated Avensis Tourer

Toyota Avensis 2.0 D4-D Tourer T-Spirit car test review
TOYOTA has updated its Mondeo estate rival, the Avensis Tourer. Has the Toyota got what it takes as a company car?

Car review: Sam Hardy
Toyota AvensisTourer 2012 FrontView
Avensis Tourer: Not an obvious choice at first

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24 May 2012

 

Avensis Tourer: Newly updated with bolder grille and improved interior

 

Toyota Avensis 2.0 D4-D Tourer T-Spirit

Car review: Sam Hardy

What is it?

AN updated version of Toyota’s Mondeo Estate rival. Latest Avensis gets a bolder grille, new headlights and taillights plus a simpler dashboard with better quality soft-touch plastics. Under the bonnet, the 2.0-litre diesel produces the same 124bhp but it is more efficient, so will cost less to run. All Avensis models are generously equipped, particularly so in flagship £27,135 T-Spirit trim, as tested here.

 

What’s hot?

  • With CO2 emissions of 119g/km, this family holdall will cost you nothing in first year road tax…
  •  …and will sit in a 16 per cent company car tax band. Toyota claims 62.8mpg too.
  • Extra sound proofing means this is a very quiet and relaxing car, especially on the motorway
  • The ride is soothing too, while the handling is composed and thanks to a new stiffer anti-roll bar, a bit more agile too
  • With a 543-litre boot which extends to 1,609-litres with the seats down, the Avensis Tourer is very spacious indeed
  • The interior has much better quality plastics and seat fabrics. It’s a logical and easy to live with environment
  • The engine is punchy, doing 0-60mph in around 10 seconds
  • T-Spirit trim comes with full leather, a reversing camera, climate control and sat-nav

What’s not?

  • It may be relaxing to drive, but it’s not much fun. If you want that, buy a Mondeo
  • Likewise, the styling (inside and out) is still emotion-free. This is a car that just gets on with the job
  • Extend the engine to the redline and it can be bit harsh
  • A Mondeo has slightly more space with the seats down
  • The T-Spirit is pricey

 

Toyota Avensis 2.0 D4-D Tourer T-Spirit  – the low-down

P11D Value: £ 27,080
Monthly business rental (ex VAT): From £367 (3yrs/30,000 miles)
Tax Bands 2011/12 to 2013/14: 17%, 18%, 19%
Benefit in kind 2011/12 to 2013/14: £4,604, £4,874, £5,145
Engine: 2.0 4 cyl turbocharged diesel
CO2 Emissions: 119g/km
Power/torque: 124bhp/310Nm
0-62mph/top speed: 10.0 secs/124mph
Economy (official): 62.8mpg
Serious: Quiet, relaxing and soothing - but not as much fun to drive as its Mondeo rival

 

Business Car Manager Road Test Verdict

If you want your company car to entertain you, a Toyota Avensis Tourer shouldn’t be on your list in any company car comparison.

But if you want a diesel estate that will be painless to drive, cheap to tax and fuel as well as being utterly relaxing on the motorway, it makes an excellent choice – we see it as ideal for SMEs with engineers on the road. Factor in a brilliant dealer network, solid reliability, competitive business car insurance and a huge cabin with lots of standard equipment and you’ve got a highly effective business tool. Just don’t expect it to be much fun that’s all.

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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