Toyota Avensis 2.0 D-4D Business Edition, car review: Is the new style and new engines enough?

If you want to lollop along Britain’s motorway network, this new Avensis makes perfect sense. The 2.0-litre diesel engine is fairly smooth and quiet at those speeds, and there’s plenty of flexibility for overtaking. The ride is fairly soft and comfy and you appreciate the upgraded interior.

The engine is a new one, along with a choice of a 1.6-litre, these two replacing a 2.0-litre and 2.2-litre in the older model. The interior is also revamped and it does highlight that this is a spacious cabin, with plenty of room for adults front and rear. It looks more modern than the outgoing model, although it is a bit on the bland side, and the infotainment system isn’t up there with the best.

Still, it’s a good mile-muncher and you have the peace of mind of a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty, lots of kit and that Toyota reputation for sound build quality.

On sale: Now

Price: £23,155
Engine: 4cyl inline, 1995cc, turbocharged, diesel
Power: 141bhp at 4000rpm
Torque: 221lb ft at 1750-2250rpm
Kerbweight: 1470kg
Gearbox: 6spd manual
0-62mph: 9.5secs
Top speed: 124mph
Economy: 62.8mpg (combined)
CO2/tax band: 119g/km, 21%

Then you have to come off the motorway network and navigate down some B-roads and into a town. Things take a turn for the worse. The handling stays soft, so there’s plenty of body roll, yet the ride also lets through big bumps. As you slow down and come down the gears you find that the engine now starts to rattle and vibrate.

You can feel it through the pedals and wheel, and the noise levels rise too. It just isn’t very refined at anything other than a steady-state cruise. It’s certainly not very fast either, with performance acceptable but no more.

By the time you’ve parked up you’re maybe not so keen. The interior is a good size and is refreshed but it’s still not up there with something like the Skoda Superb or VW Passat, not in terms of space nor in terms of materials choice.

That’s the issue here. It’s not a bad car, but you certainly wouldn’t want one if you want an involving driving experience. A Ford Mondeo is about the same money. But, if you’re being all sensible, then it can’t match the Skoda Superb for size, running costs or really class, yet it costs about the same. Hard to recommend.