The Avensis/Is220D engine

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Mon 10 Jul 2006 01:27
The Avensis/Is220D engine - LukeMH
Hi,

I just read John's road test of the Avensis 180 D4D and I liked what I heard. However I was wondering if John, or anyone else can comment .....

I recently drove a new IS220D (absolutly gorgeous car) and I was really impressed apart from 2 niggles.

1) Although the engine was silky smooth and quiet, II found the engine completly lacking in power until it got to about 2200 rpm where it shot off like a rocket

2) I found the gearchange, although not particularly bad, felt quite clunky

Now John's review of the Avensis 180 stated that the engine had loads of low down power with no turbo lag and described the gearbox as "pleasantly precise"

I have not driven the Avensis but assume they are very simular engine/gearbox wies if not the same. Is there a difference as John did not describe what I experienced.

I am torn about the IS220D as I love the car but don't think I could put up with the turbo lag.

At work I drive a variety of VW's (golf and passat in either TDI110/PD100/PD130 flavour) and so this is what I would be comparing with. Although the golf PD105's, for example, are much slower on paper, I found they felt alot quicker as they seemed to pull alot stronger straight from idle, but where the PD100 starts to get flat the IS220d really picked up strong.

My driving sytle rarely takes me over 2000rpm so this would be a dissadvantage to me (I am one of these sad people that always has the trip computer set on real time mpg lol)

Where I most noticed the is220d weakness, was when I rolled up to a give way junction, in second gear and then put my foot down. It felt like the car wasn't doing anything for the first 3 seconds and then..... wooosh.... I feel that the PD100 shines here and pulls away strongly.

Thanks for reading, I would be interested in your comments.


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Mon 10 Jul 2006 01:38
The Avensis/Is220D engine - trancer
Gearboxes may be very different as the Lexus is RWD and the Toyota is FWD...unless the same gearbox can be twisted around and used in both applications, but I doubt it.

The sudden low end grunt is a characteristic of VAG diesels. I have test driven a Golf V 140 TDI and a BMW 320d 150BHP and the Golf felt significantly quicker.

The Lexus is indeed a beauty and should they ever offer a larger diesel (3 litres or higher) then they would be a likely replacement for my 330d...even though I can't imagine replacing it any time soon.
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Mon 10 Jul 2006 10:36
The Avensis/Is220D engine - Bill Payer
My driving sytle rarely takes me over 2000rpm so this would
be a dissadvantage to me ...



Have you tried Honda Accord?
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Mon 10 Jul 2006 10:45
The Avensis/Is220D engine - cheddar
I have not driven it though have heard that the Toyota / Lexus 2.2 180 is rather less torquey below 2000rpm than some competitors, for instance the Ford / Jaguar 2.2 is stonking from 1500rpm and also produces 400nm though at a lower 1800. However in all other respects the D4D is apparently excellent.
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Mon 10 Jul 2006 11:01
The Avensis/Is220D engine - boxsterboy
The new twin turbo 4 cylinder PSA/Ford HDI will be what you want - there's no turbo lag at all, and good performance. It's in the 407 and C5 at the moment, but will soon be in the new Freelander, and countless other PSA/Ford cars before long. Don't think they'll bother putting it in the X-type, but probably will but it in the little Volvo.
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Mon 10 Jul 2006 13:17
The Avensis/Is220D engine - peterb
The IS220d sport has different gear ratios which might help - go to the Lexus Owners Club site for more info. In general, people are a bit peeved that there's not an auto option for the IS220d.

Of course, if you're not worried about company car tax, the answer is the IS250 Auto! Mine has an incredibly smooth engine and gearbox and loads of torque thanks to speed-of-light kickdown. It is even pretty economical on the motorway (but not in town).

I don't really like diesel engines, but the 2.2D in the X-Type was fabulous and even pulled well at low revs (I've not driven the IS220d).
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