Toyota Avensis dimensions

The Toyota Avensis is best described as a wallflower, with little in the way of look-and-feel flair to set it apart from any other mid-sized saloons in its class. The Toyota Avensis has a bonnet and boot that appear unusually short in side profile to maximise dashboard room. But it is layout like this which makes the Toyota Avensis exterior far smaller than it really is. Revisions for 2012 include a front bumper with a big lower grille to make the vehicle appear lower and wider which will filter into all new Toyotas new headlights with daytime running lamps and a new back bumper.

Dashboard room is sufficient for most, but lags behind the Ford Mondeo. Back legroom for three passengers is aided by a flat floor where, for most competitors a transmission tunnel takes up cab room. The boot measures 509 litres, compared to the Mondeo's 528 litres and the Honda Accord's 467 litres. The seatings split and fold to increase room, but the lack of a wide-opening hatchback bootlid hampers ultimate practicality. Back park cameras are available, but no front park sensors are provided. An electronic parking brake is fitted as traditional, but it's tricky to use, particularly when parallel parking on a slope.

Four models are available in the Toyota Avensis range: T2, TR, T4 and T Spirit and all models from the TS up are superbly equipped. T2 models come with Bluetooth, air-conditioning, electric front windows and a trip computer. The TR is the most well-known model and adds Toyota's Touch & Go sat-sav and stereo system with multimedia connectivity, back park camera, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control and automatic headlights and wipers. T4 models add leather and alcantara upholstery and bespoke dashboard trim. T Spirit models add 18-inch alloys, back park sensors and Touch & Go Plus which provides internet connectivity via a smartphone.