Colour Collection 2.0 D-4D 5dr Hatchback

A very well built, extremely reliable and comfortable large hatchback.

Previously owned a trouble-free Carina E and Avensis Mk1 estate over last 10 years. Bought this 2003 2.0 D4D T3x 3 years ago at 58k (now 116k) and I'd definitely have another. Lots of pulling power, passenger and load space and built to last with a high quality feel.

Good points: a very smooth ride, comfortable well-designed interior, huge boot and plenty of poke in a 2.0 diesel (turbo) engine. Mostly excellent* (also see below) build quality comparable with Audi. Eats motorway miles averaging 59+mpg with refined ride quality, nearer 46mpg round town which is still good for a big car. (More economical than eg. diesel Corsa in this respect but no comparison in ride/ build quality.) Usual high Toyota reliability and solid build feel. Handles well and feels secure and grippy at speed and on blustery days. Heavy diesel engine over the front wheels means it's also great in snow- not quite 4x4 but doesn't get stuck like some smaller/ lighter front-wheel drives. Some nice refinements as standard and a well thought out interior make it a pleasant and comfortable car to drive and travel in. Gallons of boot space and enough cabin room to fit a house door in the back with seats laid flat if you need to!

Bad points: headlights are dim, even with new bulbs. Headlamp change ( expectedly a simple routine task ) is virtually impossible at roadside as holders are largely inaccessible from under bonnet and can become so brittle over time they disintegrate, requiring a complete replacement headlamp unit! (A bit of crafty Araldite may give a short term fix.) Garages often remove front bumper to get proper access- a ridiculous design for an otherwise great Toyota car. (An after-thought from Mr T? May/ should be better on 2006 onwards replacement facelift model. Bi-xenons may not suffer this either? )
Rear light clusters can leak at point where they join the body, channelling and collecting water into rear inner-wing pockets. Can be easily drained by accessing from boot well and Toyota have fitted removable rubber grommets (presumably just for this purpose?!) but a simple permanent fix/ seal of cluster bolts by removing light clusters is advisable to prevent longer-term corrosion problems in this area. Toyota deny this is a problem on this model but check forums for similar comments. It does happen and in winter the water freezes into solid blocks if allowed to build up!

Heater/ blower/ de-mist controls located low down below dash means the driver has to look down/ away from road to adjust them on the move. A poor and dangerous design slip-up.

High bootline restricts visibility and can make rear parking difficult. Parking sensors are desirable but not essential once you know your car and can judge its length properly. Rear plastic bumpers are soft and flexible to some degree which helps here.

These few daft (and avoidable by Mr T!) niggles aside, this is otherwise a great car if you want exceptional value for money as a used-car bargain, good economy, comfort and excellent reliability. Drives equally well round town or on long holiday journeys with kids and swallows shopping, suitcases and loads of gear if you need it to. Willing engine and smooth ride make it much less tiring than some other cars in this class on longer journeys too. I've never towed with this model but am sure it would do the job just fine- turbo boost especially welcome. A smooth powerful drive with excellent economy.

I would have another Toyota tomorrow for no other reason than it does exactly what it should do every time I turn the key. Great car.

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