Toyota has massively upgraded its Avensis Tourer, including new styling, changes to the 2-litre petrol engine to make it Euro6 emissions compliant and more fuel-efficient, as well as more comfort and safety kit.
The new nose brings it more into line with the look of the latest corporate design, with a distinctive look that is modern and eye-catching.
The Toyota emblem is set more prominently with a smaller but sharper-styled upper grille, while the grille itself has a chrome trim bar which anchors new headlamp clusters which incorporate LED daytime running lights, giving the new Avensis an individual illumination signature.
The lower grille has been made significantly larger and it encompasses a centre bumper section finished in gloss black. The fog lamp housings have been pushed out to the extremities of the bumper, making the vehicle appear broader.
The rear has also come in for changes, with new LED tail lights and re-positioning of the chrome garnish that joins the lights together, and now intersects with the Toyota badge, while along the sides there are new sculpted aerodynamic side skirts, and at the rear, a top-mounted spoiler.
New dark grey and chrome 17 inch 15-spoke alloy wheels shod with 215/55R17 Goodyear tyres, a shark’s fin antenna, and charcoal roof rails complete the exterior transformation.
One of Toyota’s aims for the latest Avensis was to improve comfort and convenience, and the interior makes an important contribution to this goal, and sensory quality and NVH have been taken to the next level.
The instrument panel is divided into two sections. The full-width upper element contains an instrument binnacle with tubed revcounter and speedo dials either side of a 4.2 inch colour TFT multi-information display.
The lower section houses a centre console that is separated from the transmission tunnel and dominated by an eight-inch full colour touchscreen with Bluetooth capability, USB and audio jack input.
A redesigned tilt and reach-adjustable leather rimmed steering wheel with satellite controls, including cruise control, complete the driver’s cockpit.
Satin chrome highlighting on the instrument binnacle, steering wheel, console switchgear, air vents and gear lever presents a higher quality appearance. Front and rear door armrests, plus the centre console box, now include stitch detailing.
Other comfort/convenience features include dual zone climate control air conditioning, all windows are one-touch auto down, there are driver and front passenger sun visors with vanity mirror, lid and lamp, electrically folding and heated door mirrors with inset turn signal, privacy glass, and rain sensing wipers.
In addition the seats have been upgraded with new black fabric and grey Alcantara upholstery, and there’s a new front seat design, with manual height adjustment. In addition the size of the upper backrest has been increased and the backrest bolsters have been redesigned, giving both extra shoulder support and better lateral holding performance.
The seat suspension mat has also been redesigned to improve pressure distribution and reduce long-haul fatigue. The cushion angle has been increased to give better thigh support and the cushion side bolsters have been reshaped to improve lateral hold. There’s a 60/40 split rear seat.
Toyota has also updated the 112kW/196Nm 1,987cc 3ZR-FAE 16 valve engine (with chain driven double overhead camshafts for long service life), to make it more fuel-efficient and emit fewer CO2 emissions.
A further improvement in fuel economy has been realised through extensive revisions to the Multidrive S continuously variable transmission. The CVT control logic has also been adjusted to reduce engine revving at medium throttle settings, more closely matching engine speed to throttle inputs, like a conventional automatic transmission. These improvements reduce fuel consumption to 6.1L/100km (142g/km.
The 2015 Avensis retains the proven MacPherson strut front and double wishbone rear suspension design of its predecessor, but both elements benefit from significant changes to improve ride comfort and handling.
In addition steering feel and responsiveness have been improved by the use of a new intermediate shaft, a change in the diameter of the anti-roll bar, and an increase in body shell rigidity through the use of a high-strength urethane to bond the windscreen. New ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes are fitted.
On the safety front, the rear parking sensors have been removed and replaced with a reversing camera with guidelines. Other safety features now include:
- Seven airbags (driver, front passenger, front side, front & rear curtain, driver’s knee)
- BA (Brake Assist)
- EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution)
- VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
- TRC (Traction Control)
- ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System)
- ESS (Emergency Stop Signal)
- HAC (Hill-Start Assist Control)
- Three-point seatbelts for all seating positions with pre-tensioners and force limiters included in the two rear outer seats as well as the front.
- Front seat seatbelt warning lamp & buzzer
- Rear seat seatbelt warning lamp
- Two tether anchors
- Two Isofix points
Price: $47,790.
