WHEN searching for a new family and business saloon or hatchback from the mass manufacturers, today's buyer can face a positively mind boggling task.
There is a veritable treasure trove of quality products to tempt the buyers seeking a car with the space to ferry a family and its luggage in relative comfort along with the capability to rack up business miles with ease.
From the class-leading Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra and VW Passat models to some hugely satisfying, lesser-priced rivals, the list makes very interesting reading and most contenders boast the necessary qualities to attract a sizeable following.
One such family affair is the Toyota Avensis, a car built at Toyota Manufacturing UK's plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, which comes in saloon, hatchback or estate car form and, having replaced the then ageing Toyota Carina at the start of 1998, the Avensis became the flagship of Toyota's European model range.
This year, the Avensis has been the subject of some restyling and suspension revision while the addition of a couple of new diesel engines has further added to its selling power.
These additions contribute to an engine line-up of two petrol, 1.8-litre 127bhp and 2.0-litre 145bhp derivatives, and a trio of diesels, 2.0-litre 124bhp D-4D, 2.2-litre 146bhp D-4D and the range-topping T180 175bhp 2.2-litre D-4D while extremely generous kit levels are five-fold, T2, T3-S, T3-X, T4 and T Spirit.
All new models now feature restyled door mirrors with integrated inicator lamps and a more sophisticated sound system.
Under the spotlight here is the Toyota Avensis range-topper, the D-4D T180, a five-door hatchback derivative which comes with most of the bells and whistles your average driver is ever likely to require.
Standard equipment includes the likes of electric windows all round, cruise control, rain sensing wipers, dusk sensing headlights, powered and heated door mirrors, dual-zone air con, satellite navigation, eight-speaker sound system with six-disc CD autochanger.
Electrically powered, the front seating proves comfortably supportive with a definite feel of luxury emanating from the leather and Alcantara upholstery as you sit behind a distinctive leather steering wheel with silver stitching.
The driving position is good, courtesy of the two-way steering column movement. Further touches of class include a metallic-effect centre console and dashboard panel surround, both of which have been nicely revised to make navigation a much easier task, while the look of metal also extends to the trim inserts on the steering wheel.
There is plenty of space front and back while the Avensis hatchback boasts a huge boot, with all seats taken, a very family friendly 510-litres of stowage space is available. This increases to 1,320-litres with the rear seats folded flat.
Including a five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash test, the in-car safety stakes have also been well addressed, nine airbags, including a driver's knee bag, are to be found within Toyota's so-called Minimal Intrusion Cabin System (MICS). This has been designed to help absorb and disperse impact forces while driver safety aids also include standard-fit ABS braking with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA) to help emergency stopping. There is also Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TC) to keep you on the right track.
Mounted on a set of neat looking 17-inch alloys and powered by the 2.2-litre D-4D turbo diesel engine paired with a smooth-slotting six-speed manual gear change, the Avensis T180 is capable of using its 175bhp maximum power to good effect, the 0-62mph dash coming in 8.6 seconds with a promise of around 46mpg over the combined driving cycle.
Although ride may be a little on the firm side, the Avensis is virtually unperturbed by uneven tarmac surfaces, delivering some refined progress. And, despite a little road noise interference, engine and wind noise have been nicely contained.
Despite the subtle styling changes, the Avensis hatchback is perhaps not too striking in looks. But what it does do very well is make a name for itself as a highly reliable, well put together piece of British-made transport.
It is competitively priced and, with stacks of room, good fuel economy, excellent kit levels, low emissions and respectable residual values, should continue to prove very much a family favourite.
FAST FACTS
Toyota Avensis T180 5dr
Price: £21,595
Mechanical: 177bhp, 2,231cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 137mph
0-62mph: 8.6 secs
Combined mpg: 46.3
Insurance group: 12
CO2 emissions: 161g/km
BiK rating: 22%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust