1.8 V-matic Business Edition Plus CVT Auto 5dr Estate

Smooth and comfortable

This is our sixth Toyota, as far as I am concerned boring is good (I used to own a Mercedes, say no more). They have all given great service and are comfortable to drive and cheap to run. My local dealer is excellent and one of the reasons why I stay with the marque. I swapped to a petrol auto from a Rav4 diesel, thanks to dieselgate. I bought this current vehicle at two years old with 10,700 miles on the clock from a rather more distant main dealer. These cars are difficult to find. With 3000 miles under my belt it has proved to be very good, as anticipated. The car is turbine smooth compared to the Rav, my wife says it glides along. It is commendably quiet and comfortable although a little more compact than the SUV of course. However there is plenty of rear seat leg room and space in the boot. The performance is more than adequate for me, if pushed it will take off smartly but is more suited to comfortable cruising. I get perhaps 36/38 around town and 42/44 on a motorway run.

Being the Business Plus version it is has quite a few toys. The leather seats are comfortable and the inflatable lumber support is particularly appreciated. I have got used to the keyless entry system but it does seem a solution looking for a problem. I am not so averse to electronic handbrakes, I think it works well with the CVT box, and the switch whilst not conveniently next to the gear lever is not as badly placed as in my former Volvo V60. The sound system, telephone and sat nav all work well via the large screen. Unfortunately it is necessary to download the manual and read it on screen, with the result that of course you never do and so dont know how half the things work. I like the up to date safety systems, and have not had any problem at all with it, as has been reported by another respondent. I miss the heated seats that I had in the Rav, but the auto emergency braking is very good to have. The CVT box is very smooth with very little engine note and gear changes not being detectable. With the flappy paddles I sometimes use for engine braking on downhill sections and manual change is available if desired (it isn't).

Overall I am very pleased with the car and anticipate keeping it for the foreseeable future. The cabin is more compact than the Rav4, but that was huge. There are not so many cubby holes and it would be nice if the USB charge point was not buried in the centre console. There is a suggestion of a rattle in the drivers door but nothing I can positively identify. It may not be everybody's cup of tea, but if it had a BMW badge on it rather than a Toyota one I suspect these would sell like hot cakes. A solid, smart, reliable car with all the extras I could need that is affordable to buy and run and with years left on the warranty. I even got money back from my insurer when I changed cars, rather than being charged extra as anticipated.

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