Toyota Avensis test drive 2003 - 2006 sedan

Neskuchny Avensis

New motor and 5-speed automatic transmission breathed into the model fresh forces
 
Whether the Russian fans of Toyota will be satisfied - depends on the English workers. The plant in the UK where Avensis is going to go to a three -shift schedule to satisfy the demand for this model. In the meantime, European customers have to wait. In Russia, the line stretched for more than two months. So the sales figures (in 2003 we sold 2485 such cars, and for the first quarter of this year already 1175) could be more impressive. And, most likely, they will: access to the modification market with a more powerful engine and an improved automatic will certainly increase the number of people who want to get a Japanese machine. The British would not let you down
 
We were waiting for this
 
Even at the first meeting at the beginning of last year (AI No. 6 (30) 2003), I remembered, there was no doubt that Avensis would gain popularity. The only thing that could not arrange a certain part of potential customers in this car was its dynamic characteristics. And in fact: until recently, the most powerful version had a 2-liter 147-horsepower engine, which accelerated the car to 100 km/h in 11.1 seconds. Against the background of competitors - Nissan Primera, Opel Vectra, Ford Mondeo or VW Passat - such agility was not impressive. Therefore, Avensis 2.4 waited. And, I think, they were not waiting in vain - a highlight appeared in his character.
 
Outwardly, it is quite logical, the car remained the same - a calm and attractive design can serve the company for more than one year. New 17-inch wheels with 215/45 low-profile tires fit perfectly into the concept of the exterior. However, they can be installed on the 2-liter version in the R2 configuration, which, in turn, is the only available for Avensis 2.4. It contains everything that can be represented in Toyota-headlight washers, fog lights, electric windows, separate climate control system, radio tape recorder with a compact disk player, xenon, cruise control, a leather salon, a sunglass curtain on the rear window, nine Pillows of safety and probably something else that the dealer will tell the buyer about. I note that in the cabin you feel very comfortable.
 
The quality of interior materials and the level of work of the driver’s place contribute to the feeling of silence and peace. The seats are convenient, have a wide range of electrical regulations and good lateral support. A small steering wheel in diameter with the control buttons of the musical center is pleasant to hold in your hands. By the way, the audio system sounds very decent. And the steering wheel itself is adjusted both by inclination and by departure. The instrument shield with a yellowish color of scales, which come to life with the ignition on, is not overloaded with information and does not tire the eyes. It does not, for example, of an ordinary small screen on which data can be displayed from an on -board computer. Why, if there is a display in the center of the torpedo, which you can cast a look at, practically not distracting from the road? In general, everything in the cabin is thought out to the smallest detail.
 
Calmer - means quieter
 
Power unit with a volume of 2.4 liters with a capacity of 163 liters. with. - This is the direct injection of fuel and the proprietary system for changing the phases of gas distribution VVT-I. It is offered only paired with a new 5-speed automatic transmission and endows the car with good potential. So, up to 100 km/h, one and a half -ton car accelerates in just 9.1 seconds. Moreover, the set of speed is very confident and even. The driver can count on a seal in a wide range of revolutions. Only at the same time, one should not expect an instant reaction to pressing the accelerator pedal: the machine is still required for thought.
 
The automatic transmission does not have a sports mode of operation, but is specially trained in winter driving and makes it possible to switch the program manually. Manipulation of the handle of the box - shifted it to the left, and pushing up - down, moving, accordingly, to increased or reduced gear - partly saves the situation with the reaction to gas supply. In addition, the machine is obedient, and does not dare to go on your own to the next step, even if the driver twisted the motor to the red zone on the tachometer. At the same time, the electronic limiter does not scare the sharp reset of revolutions. Nevertheless, manual switching does not save from a short pause: he pumped the hilt up, said to himself and - one, and only then received acceleration.
 
In the automatic mode, upward switching occur quickly, clearly and without jerking. But in the lowest gear, even with a sharp press on the accelerator pedal, the automatic transmission does not cross as fast as we would like. However, it is easy to adapt to such an algorithm for the work of the transmission. For example, I wanted to overtake - click on the pedal a little earlier, so that during the maneuver under the right foot there is already a sufficient supply of traction. The main thing, especially if the wheels are wet asphalt or slippery coating, do not bring the matter to slippers, since in this case the VSC stabilization system is activated, which will immediately take the very traction supply. Of course, she knows how to fight not only slippers, but helps out the driver in difficult situations, reducing, when required, the supply of fuel mixture or slowing down the necessary wheels. In general, VSC acts quite correctly, in addition, the system can be turned off by pressing the inconspicuous button to the left of the steering wheel. But not everyone will want to do it.
 
The fact is that Avensis 2.4 is unlikely to please the owner, working, as they say, at the limit - for example, when you intentionally promoting the engine, storming the ligaments of the turns on the mountain road. Do not think - decisively no steering problems or the optimal settings of pendants that do not allow excessive body rolls in corners - there is no mention. Everything in the car is done correctly and allows us to operate in any modes. Except for one sound. Firstly, the melody of the power plant and the exhaust system is not tuned, and it cannot please the hearing. Secondly, at high speeds, the engine is too well heard in the cabin.
 
The above, however, does not mean at all that on Avensis 2.4 it is uncomfortable to go at high speed. Simply, in order not to lose the feeling of rest, you should accelerate smoothly, which provides automatic automatic transmission. Meanwhile - I emphasize - all car systems allow you to drive in any style. In extreme situations, the brake system is also designed. Disk mechanisms on all wheels, ABS, EBD distribution systems and emergency braking Brake Assist, guarantee the fastest slowdown from any speed and on any coating. It so happened that in a difficult road situation I had to personally check their effectiveness. When, in order to avoid a collision with the literally leaving the car, I was forced to move with right -wing wheels on the side of the road dotted with gravel. So, for Avensis, the crushed stone under the wheels turned out to be a real trifle, only Abs stopped, but the car slowed down without the slightest skid.
 
Reliability price
 
Toyota Avensis in the salons of official dealers costs from $ 25,900. For this money, you can purchase a well-equipped car in which there will be no perhaps cast discs, leather finishes, xenon headlights, cruise control systems and sunscreen. The tested car will cost 34,900 dollars already, but the list of options is almost empty - everything you need is already available. True, Avensis 2.4 is still offered only with the sedan body.
 
As for service prices, for Toyota Avensis cars, the interval interval is 10 thousand km. Norma - about $ 47. The first will cost $ 121, the second - in 190. Warranty - three years or 100 thousand kilometers.
 
Andrey Osipov
 
Brief technical characteristics of Toyota Avensis 2.4
Engine volume, cubic meter. See: 2362
The number of valves for the cylinder: 4
Power, l. with. at about./min.: 163/5800
Max. Torque, Nm/at about. min.: 230/3800
Acceleration to 100 km/h, p.: 9.1
Maximum speed, km/h: 220
Average fuel consumption l./100 km.: 9.5
Fuel tank volume, l.: 60
Dimensions, mm.: 4630x1760x1480
 

A source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 11 (57), 2004]