2016 Toyota Avensis V-Matic Business Edition Plus 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

At first I was not too keen on this face-lifted version of the third generation Avensis. Rather odd looking front grille. Ugly, but I can live with it.

These are expensive to buy used and long term reliability remains to be seen - I have had mine two years and done nothing but services. So if the car returns on its legendary reliability reputation, then I suppose it will be worth it, though I still think I overpaid.

That all said, I am enjoying this car so far. Nothing special to drive, but the handling is OK, seats and interior are very comfortable and have a quality feeling to them.

The 1.8 petrol engine is not very fast, and with the automatic box it is only averaging 36 mpg. You could probably get 40 mpg, but only on very long motorway cruises. If miles per gallon is important to you, I'd try a diesel version with a manual transmission.

So far so good, these cars are a safe choice, but are way overpriced on the used market right now. As are most cars to be honest.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd May, 2024

2016 Toyota Avensis D-4D Excel 2.0 diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Very nice so far

Faults:

Nothing!

General Comments:

The Avensis is very expensive to buy on the used market, but it is a very nice car and should prove reliable.

Mine is blue, Excel model which has plenty of kit. Leather, heated seats, all electrics. Very nice alloy wheels. Love this car's spec, very comfortable inside.

The car is smooth to drive. 2.0 diesel engine has enough power and is averaging well over 50 mpg, even on shorter trips.

Spacious, comfortable and reliable, it's like the perfect car really. I've only had it one year, but local taxi drivers tell me my car with low mileage is as good as new despite being eight years old - these are good for well over a decade and 250,000 - 300,000 miles. I doubt I'll have mine that long, but it's good to know they are durable if looked after.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd April, 2024

2016 Toyota Avensis Business Edition 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

No nonsense daily driver

Faults:

Nothing other than general wear and tear and servicing.

General Comments:

Metallic black Avensis business edition with alloy wheels looks the part. Very nice looking car. Had this a couple of years and has been an excellent car. Just as good or even better than my previous 2009 Honda Accord.

Not a car to get excited about, but I like driving this car. Very quiet and smooth, the 1.8 petrol engine is arguably preferable over the diesels - power is good and you can get 45+ mpg taking it slow.

Interior has all the modern features you would expect, full electrics. I could complain about the electronic handbrake as most people do, but no big deal once used to it. Very spacious and comfortable.

If you need a reliable daily driver that is easy to live with, check out the modern Avensis. They are still a little expensive to buy used however, but worth keeping long term and should return on your money with reliability, providing you keep up with the servicing.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th July, 2021

14th Oct 2022, 13:39

Local taxi service where I live has a couple of these cars on 150K still going strong and used daily, reliable cars.

14th Oct 2022, 20:58

In the US, the Ford Crown Vic's would rack up over 400k.

15th Oct 2022, 14:10

Correct - there are many cars famous around the word as taxi's for reaching high mileage.

USA - Ford Crown Vic, as mentioned. Chevy Caprice was also popular if I remember.

Europe - Skoda Octavia (famous vid on YouTube of a 500K mileage one), and the even more famous Mercedes E-Class one million mile car.

I'm sure Japan has cars like the Avensis and a few others as well that are popular as taxi's.

12th Apr 2023, 21:49

This is an European model, owners compare it with other European cars - French, Italian, German. Not difficult to appreciate an Asian import in this flock. That said, modern American cars are anything but reliable. The era of indestructible, very high mileage American vehicles is long gone today.

14th Apr 2023, 12:33

Totally agree, I am from the UK and we had these Toyota's in our taxi fleet from as long ago as the 1980s. The Carina as it was called then done us good and reliable through the 1980s and 1990s. The later Avensis is a good car, but unfortunately costs a lot more to run as a taxi, and is only average in reliability.

Still, it is a very nice modern daily driver car for the money.