THINGS have certainly changed in the world of the rep-mobile world.
Back in the 80s the Sierra and Cavalier reigned supreme and were streets ahead of the competition. Now the medium fleet car sector is heavily populated with a positive embarrassment of automotive riches.
This hotly contested area of the UK car market is a segment in which the requirement is not just the ability to transport friends and family in comfort, but also to enable the travelling businessman to crank up the miles in style.
Both Ford and Vauxhall have continued their legendary jousting for top billing with the Mondeo and the Vectra, but no longer is any one carmaker miles ahead of the rest in the D segment, the line-up for the user-chooser or family driver is now vast and with little to shoose between them.
Cars like the Renault Laguna, VW Passat, Nissan Primera, Citroen C5, Skoda Octavia and Honda Accord are all superbly qualified to fit the bill for the most discerning buyer.
And then there's the Toyota Avensis, another highly regarded car which took its inaugural bow in the UK marketplace at the beginning of 1998. A couple of years down the line it was revised and, in the spring of this year, the Avensis was launched in all-new form.
Five years back, the Avensis had replaced the Carina E, the first Toyota to be built at the Japanese carmaker's Burnaston plant, and all three versions of the Avensis continue to be built at the Derbyshire factory.
The Avensis comes in Saloon, Hatchback and Estate Car - or Tourer in Toyota-speak - with a choice of two petrol engines, 1.8-litre VVT-i and two litre direct injection, plus a two litre D-4D diesel, plus five trim levels.
In addition, early next year Toyota will be introducing a 2.4-litre petrol engine and the world's cleanest diesel, the two litre D-CAT into the Avensis range.
My choice for the road test was the hatchback version powered by the D-4D diesel engine but even before turning the key it's clear that the interior of the new Avensis is a classic example of the car designer's art. Clever use of increased overall dimensions have been translated into an even more spacious cabin.
This is a decidedly comfortable place to be for five adults, housing a number of places in which to "lose" things and a hugely accommodating luggage bay.
Quality fabrics and plastics have also been introduced into a cabin where seating is comfortably supportive, while the seat height adjustment brings you without fuss to a driving position which should suit most people.
The toy box is pretty full at all trim levels, the T4 spec test car coming with dual zone climate control air con, electric windows all round with one-shot operation, eight-speaker sound system and CD player with steering wheel mounted controls, sat nav, trip computer and the rest.
In-car safety, too, has been comprehensively addressed, all occupants being cocooned by nine airbags, even including one to protect the driver's knees and shins mounted under the steering column, which is a European first.
On the tarmac the Avensis provides a comfortably refined ride, whatever the conditions at tyre level, with both ride and handling benefiting from a stiffer bodyshell and a responsive suspension set-up which owes its quality to the Toyota Celica on which it is based, the combination providing a solidly balanced performance.
The two litre diesel power source does what is says on the box. The 114bhp engine provides plenty of urge, while meaty low-range torque is on hand to provide safe overtaking power and healthy towing power all of which is done in pretty frugal fashion.
Positive braking comes courtesy of ABS and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), which is standard throughout the Avensis range, while the T4 spec also has the benefit of Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control and Brake Assist to aid the unwise and the unwary.
Overall, the Avensis is streets ahead of its predecessor, Toyota having upped the ante in the D segment with models which look good, boast quality build, have a strong engine range and an aura of all-round safety endorsed by Euro N-Cap's five-star rating.
Coupled with the Japanese car maker's legendary reliability, attractive insurance groupings and a saving in company car tax on the Euro4 compliant D-4D diesel model, makes the Avensis a decidedly attractive proposition to both the family and fleet buyer.
FAST FACTS
Toyota Avensis T4 D-4D
Price: £18,000
Mechanical: 114bhp, 1,995cc 4 cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5-spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 121mph
0-62mph: 11.4 secs
Combined mpg: 48.7mpg
Insurance group: 8
CO2 emissions: 155g/km
BiK rating: 18%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint