1.8 CVT Business Edition

DON'T Buy at Present (January 2016)

This is my second Avensis CVT Tourer. The previous one was peerless over 4.5 years to March 2016 and gave me everything a wanted for a car, so I bought another.

98% of the new car is every bit as good (or better) than the previous one, but because of the 2% I would absolutely say DON'T BUY ONE NOW.

Almost EVERY new Toyota today is fitted with Toyota's Safety Sense (TSS) system. TSS controls the pre-collision system, collision mitigation system, lane departure system, automatic dipping lights.

The problem that has come to the fore once we entered winter 2016 is that in cold weather, wet weather, at night, in fog and seemingly at random, the car's computer disconnects the TSS system - accompanied by a bright yellow flashing light (VERY distracting at night and a safety issue in its own right) and a complete info panel warning. All Toyotas with TSS (i.e. most of 2016 onwards vehicles) are affected. Changes to the software and the addition of a heat pad in the camera pod have not resolved the issue.

Toyota contends that this shows the system is operating correctly, while ignoring the fact that the warnings are to inform the driver that TSS is not operational, an "alternative truth" worthy of an American president! No driver should rely on a car's safety system in my view, one should always aim to drive safely and with caution and commonsense - within the basic capability of the vehicle, but nothing in Toyota's publicity states that TSS is a "sometimes on - sometimes off" system and so it's not at all unreasonable for owners to believe they would always have this additional safety system available.

I've emailed the Toyota UK CEO and head of quality, but not received any reply (of any sort) - I would certainly not have bought a new Avensis in March last year if I had known what lay in store!

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