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[toggle title_open=”Car specifications” title_closed=”Car specifications” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Price: $47,990
Engine: 2.0 litre four-cylinder, 112kW/196Nm
Transmission: Seven-step CVT automatic
Fuel economy: 7.1 litres/100km
Emissions: 165g/km (Euro5)
Equipment: Bluetooth, nine airbags
Safety: Five-star NCAP crash rating
Factory warranty: Three year/100,000km[/toggle]
Choosing an Avensis wagon is not going to take much wading through lists of models and all sorts of trim packs and options. It comes in one configuration, a choice of colours and a few basic extras. Trouble was, not too many wagon-buyers even bothered, as the previous model cost too much. The Avensis hails from Europe, Toyota being a global brand, and for ages the New Zealand dollar was a poor relation to the Euro, not uncommonly trading at less than 50 cents. Today’s Euro is well into the 60c range and when an upgraded Avensis was in the offing, Toyota decided to try again, adding more features and dropping the price by more than $6400. The revised Avensis is no rocket wagon, but it’s brisk enough most of the time and rewards with a decent ride, crisp handling, a good level of comfort and well controlled levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Those who dislike a CVT may prefer the “manual” side of the transmission where seven shift points have been well chosen and the computer allows leeway in their use. Maybe this is one advantage of a Japanese car designed in Europe. The Euro influence is also obvious a nicely trimmed cargo area with heavy-duty tiedowns running on rails, like you might find in a top Euro wagon. The 543 litre luggage area now has a cargo net and side boards to help secure cargo. With rear seats folded, capacity grows to 1609 litres. Interior changes include different seats and improved connectivity. The entire instrument panel is new. Exterior styling looks more purposeful, after some nipping and tucking. On the safety front, the wagon enjoys a five star Euro NCAP rating and a healthy list of acronym-rich gear: ABS braking, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TRC) and Vehicle Stability Control plus (VSC+).
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Good features
Well equipped, well priced and roomy
Not so good
Second row headroom
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[box type=”tick” size=”large” style=”rounded”]Rating 7.5/10[/box]