1.8 VVT Multidrive Tourer CVT

Pretty Amazing once you master the digital interface

I bought this because I wanted a reliable and economical estate. Having had 5 Diesel cars in the last 10 years and each costing me some pain and expense at the end of my ownership, I wanted a car that didn't have: a diesel particulate filter; a dual mass flywheel; an EGR; a timing belt or a turbo. So it was petrol for me and the Avensis fitted all my requirements perfectly.

Aside from the unnecessarily over complicated interface to all of the electronics - SatNav; Phone; radio; settings - it has done everything I've asked of it and driven with a light foot I regularly exceed 42 mpg - mostly extra-urban, though, I live in Somerset and use the motorways extensively for long distance travel.

Not being a TV presenter or a motoring journalist I can report that it's not boring, is more than acceptable to drive and your driving style will never be embarrassed unless you are a boy racer, in which case you probably don't want a big family estate!

In fact I would say this is an ubiquitous car - it does most everything invisibly (and quietly, and comfortably) and most of the time it's like a magic carpet ride.

All new ones have a 5 year 100k warranty, but on current evidence I can't see it being needed, I've completed 11k trouble-free miles in the last 9 months and this looks like the first car I'll keep for more than 2 years.

I've yet to have it serviced, but the published prices look reasonable and my buying experience shows that Toyota keeps a very close handle on dealer quality - I was given a survey to complete 3 weeks after collecting the car, if any of my answers fell below "very good" or in some aspects "excellent" then the salesman would have had his commission reduced. As a result, everything was excellent.

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