Buyer's Guide: Toyota Avensis

- Richard Dredge

WHEN Toyota launched the third generation Avensis in 2009, few took notice of its arrival. The first two versions of this fleet-friendly saloon and estate did a perfectly good job, but weren’t the most aspirational cars in the class.

Toyota reckoned its third take on the formula was something to get excited about, but worthy though it was, the Avensis Mk3 was still overshadowed by sexier rivals. It doesn’t help that Toyota gave up on the hatchback, offering the Avensis Mk3 in saloon and estate forms only – a gamble that didn’t pay off. But while the Avensis is overshadowed by more desirable rivals, this is still a car that’s very much worth a closer look.

History

THE third-generation Avensis went on sale in January 2009, in saloon and estate forms. Buyers could choose between 1.8 or 2.0-litre petrol engines, along with 2.0 or 2.2-litre diesels. By the end of the year there was also a 1.6-litre petrol option on offer as well.

Initially, only the petrol engines were offered with an automatic transmission (called Multidrive), but from September 2009 there was a two-pedal option for the 2.2 diesel (now badged D-CAT). A refresh in April 2013 saw Active, Icon, Icon Plus and Excel trims replace the previous T2, TR, T4 and T Spirit.

At the same time, the CO2 emissions for the 2.0 D-4D engine were cut from 134g/km to 119g/km. This engine was offered only with a manual gearbox.

Which one?