Avensis is an agile mountain climber

The Toyota Avensis offers a really satisfying drive

The new Toyota Avensis is a wonderful car to drive.

I was impressed by its agility, its lovely, smooth drive and its handling when I took it out on the Dublin Mountains.

It’s an elegant looking car, which is very spacious both back and front and also has a massive boot, with a hatch through to the back seats.

The Luna saloon model I was driving had a plush cream leather interior.

It’s also full to the brim with technology, including easy to use cruise control and speed limiter, reversing camera, auto lights and wipers and touch screen radio/CD/USB/AUX.

Like a lot of cars, the USB slot was in the front centre arm rest which can be tricky to access, especially if you’re driving.

The car I had also had pull down sun shades on the back windows.

The interior wouldn’t really be considered a talking point and save for a few saving graces, such as the slide and lift arm rest, the slide over cup holder and the cubby to the right of the steering wheel, I found it a little bit dull.

The pop out ashtray and cigarette lighter was well designed though.

I wasn’t a fan of the electric parking brake either.

However, where it really matters, in its drivabilty – the Avensis really excels and this might go some way in explaining why the Avensis claimed 37 per cent of sales in the large family car category last month.

The 2l six speed manual diesel I was driving proved to be an excellent drive on city streets, mountainy roads and on the motorway.

It’s fast, with great acceleration and a nice grip on the road.

The new Toyota Avensis is available in both petrol and diesel engines and saloon and Tourer (estate) models.

Prices for the petrol model start from €24,995 for the Terra trim. Diesel prices start from €25,495 for the Terra model. The top of the range Luna model I was driving costs from €30,595 for the manual saloon.

Tech Spec
Engine: 2.0 D-4D 125 (diesel)
Acceleration: 0-100kph in 9.7s
Maximum Speed: 200kph
Combined fuel consumption: 4.6l/100km
CO2 emissions: 120g/km
Annual road tax: €160

A version of this article first appeared in Metro Herald