Toyota Avensis test drive 2003 - 2006 sedan

New alternative

The popularity of middle -class Japanese machines in Russia is growing by day, but by the hour. It is curious that upon closer examination in them there is much more similarities than differences.

It would seem that indisputable truth choosing clothes or a car, we are guided by personal sympathies. For example, for someone, the lack of a trendy novelty in the wardrobe is a catastrophe, and the other feels comfortable only in the classic things of an unlucking design. But if we are talking about middle -class machines, most buyers until recently preferred the Passat both fashionable and classic at the same time. The situation changed with entering the market examples in just a year Nissan managed to equal in popularity with the leader of the class. And in the spring, a folk car has another, perhaps more dangerous rival Ansis. To find out how serious the newcomer’s claims are, we decided to compare it with the already distinguished child prodigy.
 
The choice of power units was determined by customers. The greatest demand in Russia in April-June was 2-liter avsis with automatic transmission. And that means that in the rivals of such a machine we identified example-2,0CVT, equipped with a 140-horsepower two-liter engine and a stray variator as a checkpoint.

Originally from the people
Both Japanese firms made a name in mass production of relatively cheap cars. Therefore, if you are looking for a car that will be primarily for you with an image, even the most expensive avsis and an example are hardly suitable. The Japanese reliability, excellent comfort and safety, together with the current expressive design on the growth of the prestige of the two Japanese, have not yet been reflected in any way.
 
And the descendants of the samurai themselves especially for European and American snobs invented luxury brands Lexus and Infinity. In a word, both Japanese here are in the role of catching up and it is impossible to give preference to one of them.

Fashion and untying values
What a pretty Toyota you have. What is it called? The solid gentleman, imposingly chosen from the eyes of the eyes of Mercedes-Benz, Ansis seemed to be attracted. I really did not think that the owner of a prestigious e-class would put an eye on our Japanese woman. After all, this audience is perhaps the most conservative. However, one can guess what exactly attracted him. Novelty has nothing to do with it. But strictly verified proportions, a mixture of solidity and expressiveness, calmness and cold equanimity liked for sure.
 
In addition, our Avensis turned out to be a very profitable color. In the rays of the bright sun, he riveted his eyes with a palette of beige-silver shades. Even with the location of the emblem, the designers of Toyota were gone. She was not just glued, like an ordinary nameplate, but cut into a cascade the ribs of the radiator grille and made a branded cone on a roll of forehead for this.
 
In general, the appearance of the machine turned out to be expressive, but somewhat heavy. The stylists of the European design center of the company seemed to specifically attract those who liked the rather solid reliability than fashionable frivolity. At the same time, again, almost deliberately did not hesitate to borrow something from competitors. If desired in Avensis, it is easy to find a resemblance to Volkswagen or Opel models. The step itself is not indisputable, but very indicative. In Toyota they knew for whom they worked.
 
Examples are the complete opposite. She is one of those who are ready to scream the whole world, see what I am! Ours sparkled with silver faces, but the most profitable color for such an expressive nature is saturated cherry. A sort of fiery bird with a predatory beak, large crystal eyes and a monolithic fantastic silhouette is just a sight for sore eyes.
 
However, color is a matter of taste. The main thing, thanks to the efforts of designers, neither an example nor Avensis no longer look like gray mice. And what to give preference to the trendy or classic design, everyone can decide for himself.
 
Cosiness can be understood in different ways
Like externally, inside the example, a real avant -garde. Judging only by the photographs, the interior may seem exquisite-indistinguishable, as on other concepts. However, it is worth being in the cabin itself, and the inner world is seen in a completely different way. Let fantastic, but this is by no means a cold office. Feng Shui, Techno, Militarians of which designers did not think up to diversify the home. Nissan experts and the new version proposed, and the ergonomics did not forget about the canons of the ergon.
 
   
Ergonomics of the driver's seat in the Japanese on top. But an example of a real model of futurism. Ansis bribes the wealth of decoration in the usual sense

I turn the ignition key examples, and in the first second it covers bewilderment. There is only a red icon in front of the eyes, reminiscent of an unstobed \u200b\u200bbelt. You have to get used to squinting to the side whether the tachometer, the device most remote from the driver came to life. Unknown? Rather, unusual. After all, the readability of all the slightly deployed to the driver of the scales is magnificent.
 
   
Despite the location in the center of the console, readability of devices examples (photo on the left) on a solid five. Ansis also walks in excellent students, but judging by the sports visor, its creators tried to emphasize the gambling character
 

I note that in the seat with developed lateral support, it is possible to settle down almost immediately. The steering wheel, which seems to be quite large at first, is actually optimal. Everything is in order with visibility. The fact that the massive feed is conceived will be shown the rear view camera. Great marketing move. Others who doubt the choice will buy a car only for this. And there is a lot of places on the back sofa.
 
At first glance, the remote control with the joystick and the dissipation of the buttons turn the central console into a fantastic control unit. In fact, the N-form information system is convenient and functional. From here you can command the radio, climate control and an on-board computer. All information on a single display. And although you need to get used to it for several minutes, I recalled N-Form after a fleeting acquaintance of a year ago with great pleasure. And they say that newfangled things are aging rapidly.
 
There are almost no surprises in Toyota. Rather, there is one. But the most important. You feel yourself in a car in a car, or even two above. The Japanese turned the build quality here almost into the same national treasure as their reliable electronics. Light skin on decoration is at least not inferior to Camrei. The massive central console, stylish solid wood inserts, a wonderful dashboard of an optotron panel, similar to the one installed on the Lexus. On the finished skin of the steering wheel, not only the control of the stereo system, but also the on -board computer. The divided climate control has its own display and intuitive control bodies.
 
   
The optimal seat profile, an abundance of electric drive adjustments and well -made skin is all in the example and in Avensis

   
Both cars have a lot of space in the back sofa, but tall passengers will be somewhat more comfortable on Ansis's galler (photo on the right) more space space

So, both cars are round excellent students? Not certainly in that way. An example was announced by annoying little things. The plastic trough of the door handles are covered with pleasant to the touch, but quickly peeling, as on other mobile phones, with a rubberized layer. In addition, it is not worthless by the 21st century machine to creak with glasses on seals. The door hinges from dust and dirt are not protected in the best way: on a car that drove a little more than ten thousand, the left rear door creaked. So the excellent student is not far from up to the three -year -old. Good soundproofing and upholstery saving, keeping proud silence, even when the car rides along the paving stones on Presnya.
 
Ansis certificate would be exemplary, if not for one but. In the motion, when the crankshaft of the engine reaches about 33.5 thousand revolutions, a cricket wakes up in the bowels of the front panel. However, he immediately falls silent, it is worth adding or dropping gas.
 
 
  
 
There are comfortable cup holders in the rear armrest

You can control the on -board computer using a button on the steering wheel
 
 
The curtain on the back window is one of the distinctive features of the top -powered set of execution

Ansisis trunk than the Mercedes S-class (520 liters)
    
 

In upholstery, they successfully hid CD changer

In the abundant designer sorts of car, you can find more than one couple of quite earthly form of cup holders
 
 
Fans have examples with the opportunity to choose a car with a hatch, the buyer does not have Avensis

The rear view camera on the example is turned on as soon as the automatic transmission lever is transferred to the Ralgun gear position
 
 
In the middle class, no car can boast of such spectacular door pads

Luggage compartment examples are slightly more modest than 450 liters. But unlike ANENSIS, the rear seat can be laid out flush with the trunk floor
 
Charms of a machine gun, Variator trump cards
The endless variator in the transmission of modern machines is quite rare. The Japanese claim that it saves fuel and is more durable than any machine gun. I willingly believe. I was most bribed by the smoothness of his work. You push the gas, the tachometer arrow takes off the examples to 4.5 thousand, and the car accelerates and accelerates, there are no shocks from switching. Almost complete serenity and calm. If the revolutions do not fall until acceleration ends. As if he had hit the opera when the tenor just enters. It seems that everything happens quite slowly, but in fact, the entire stream in the city is already behind. I am sure such a smooth movement will warm the soul to many.
 
Do not love the opera? Then try the mechanical mode. The lever is a little right. Now the programs can be switched manually. As with ordinary mechanics, I hover before turning on the third, the revolutions take off to 6500, and the machine is intensively besieging. The fact that an example is so great inhibiting the engine with a pleasant surprise. Her ability of her will be great in raw weather. That's just acceleration at the exit of the turn remains the same even and serene. Subjectively, perhaps more slowly more passport 10.9 seconds.
 
Judging by the technical characteristics, the Avensis is even more slow. But an amazing thing, despite the 4-speed machine, is more than life in it. True, at first the car seems cold, measured. Not to the face, they say, a solid person to fuss. The traditional automatic transmission seems even a little more thoughtful than the variator. But if you do not lower the tachometer arrow below 33.5 thousand, Toyota reacts faster than Nissan to press the gas pedal. He looked at the speedometer already exchanged 120 km/h.
 
Those who think that 11 seconds to hundreds are too long, you can advise you to look at the results of competitors equipped with automatic machines. Both ANENSIS, and an example of a razor larger lagoon, Mondeo, Citroen-C5, Peugeot-406. And less than half a seconds lose BMW-318ia, Chord and Audi-A4. However, a temperamental riding lovers should take a closer look at Toyota and Nissan with a manual box, they are much more agile. But pleasure are different. In traffic jams in which the whole of Moscow is pushing, and the variator, and the machine gun is real salvation.
 
Powerful brakes are complemented by a portrait of solid good brakes, providing both cars with a very decent deceleration.
  
Little and surface
So, we see that both cars are focused on the buyer, to whom a comfortable serene riding in the city and outside of him brings pleasure. But what kind of pleasure from the car could we talk about if she shaken the whole soul from the riders with a hard sports suspension and pissed out with various extraneous sounds? Do not please worry. An example of the car is very quiet. Be sure, her suspension is enough energy intensification so as not to report to the driver about each pothole on the asphalt. Aerodynamic noises in the cabin, even if you accelerate to the impermissible 160170 km/h, will be barely distinguishable.
 
And only transplanting to Avensis, you understand why they give an appreciation perfectly. After all, he is even quieter. With intensive acceleration, the motor makes itself felt only somewhere around 5000 rpm. At high speeds, it is more convenient to control the Toyota due to higher term stability, and the efforts on the steering wheel are almost perfectly verified.

What other springs are capable of
All of the above is fair, if you do not approach the assessment of both cars from the point of view of a fan of active driving style. It is worth starting to sprinkle the ANENSIS or example, and the picture changes somewhat. But having wound several hundred kilometers in Spain on Avensis, I admit, I was sure that its two -liter modifications from among the brave guys. Alas, our roads showed that I was mistaken.
 
Toyota's creators tried as best they could. The gear ratio in the engagement of the gear rack in a 2-liter machine, compared with 1.8-liter, was reduced to 16: 1. The steering wheel power power steering was replaced with hydraulic, remembering that so far it only provides better feedback. The rear suspension was installed an independent multi -link, similar to the one that has Seliki. And in order to lubricate the effect of these efforts, it was necessary to increase when adapting for Russia by 2 cm road clearance using other springs and shock absorbers. Everybody! Close to the ideal adjustment of the suspension is no longer so good.
 
At low speeds and on smooth asphalt, these nuances are invisible. Great steering wheel, nimble dangled into a turn, strength, temperament. And suddenly a sharp change in mood: having hit 140 km/h on a section of the washing board on the asphalt, the car began to swing frighteningly. It is still controlled, thanks to excellent brakes, you can effectively reset speed, but the energy intensity is no longer enough. And I don’t want to go quickly.
 
Nissan’s steering wheel does not 3, like Avensis, but 2.75 turnover from the stop to the stop. If desired, by example, you can easily nimble. In a bend, she does not scare large rolls. With ease, it allows you to dynamically rebuild from a row in a row. But there are also dashes in her behavior that make it alert. On the one hand, by car I want to go quickly on a smooth straight line in it comfortable and 150160 km/h. But on the other hand, where the Avensis dancing, the example dances even more, and the vibrations from the suspension are transferred to the body. I just admired how tenaciously the car knows how to stay on the arc, how ESP is triggered in time, helping to roll the car into a turn, and now I barely caught the car in a bend on wet asphalt. I did not expect that the sliding of the front axle would begin so early. A very unpleasant moment. And there is only one advice here: do not get carried away with speed.
 
In the highest category
The Japanese themselves are a nation of centenarians, and all that seems to be wishing. Both cars have a passive and active security at a high level. Why is Toyota a little better? In the recent euroncap tests, Avensis received five stars. Nine airbags, one of which protects the driver’s knees, and the frontal changes the degree of filling depending on the strength of the impact and weight of people. An example will notice if the passenger does not fasten on the right, but will inform only with a red icon. Avensis will be so annoying and often squeak that you and your undisciplined passenger will definitely click your belts.
 
Just don’t think that Nissan’s four stars in the same European tests went to beautiful eyes. Six airbags, active head restraints in front, everywhere three -point belts, special crushed body zones of the body are far from all in the middle class.

At the right time, in the right place
The fact that Nissan loses safe, he easily won the budget more recently. Judge for yourself. The basic Toyota with a 129-horsepower engine of 1.8 liters in the equipment of Sol costs $ 22,900. For a 2-liter avance, they ask for at least $ 24,900. There are 9 pillows, climatic, music, rain sensor, wood inserts and other joys of life, from which Others, maybe they would refuse, but it will not work. In a more modest equipment, ANENSIS is not offered to us. The top sedan is an execution (leather, wheel wheels made of light alloy, xenon) not to buy $ 29,400. And we compare prices in spring, Ansenxis would not have a chance. Indeed, back in March, a 1.8-liter example-compot could be found for $ 22 thousand. For example, 2.0 was asked from $ 23,600. Let there be only two pillows, only the front windows, an unrequited climate control, but is it not enough for the majority? Our sedan with a variator was worth $ 26,490. In addition, in addition to 4-door machines and station wagons, Nissan offers examples with a hatchback body, there is a greater choice of engines. Not to mention the fact that it was possible to become the owner of examples-1,6 for $ 18,900. Where to break through the new Avensis.
 
   
In Avensis (photo on the left), information from the on -board computer, audio systems and climates are displayed on different displays. In the example of one
 

However, in April, Nissan dealers replaced dollars with euros. And Toyota did not do this. The ratio of the currencies has changed today that, leading the prices of our Japanese to a single denominator, we get an example of $ 30,990, and the Avensis is the same $ 29,400. As they say, who did not have time, he was late.
    
We decided:
These cars have a lot in common Japanese origin, English assembly, primary attention to safety and reliability, generous equipment, economy and comfort. Nevertheless, Toyota trump cards are more significant. Ansisis will surely attract those who are more likely a representative appearance who does not pursue fashion and puts classical values \u200b\u200bat the forefront, who is important with solidity, and not designer delights. One of the most comfortable and the safest in the middle class, Avensis today turned out to be cheaper than many competitors.
 
An example is, first of all, a bright design. To look for a more expressive car in the middle class, and by buying it, you will easily gain a reputation as a person with a sophisticated taste. If you do not approach an example with the standards of cars with a sports image, then you will probably be arranged for its handling and dynamics. Thanks to the variator (do not forget that it serves longer any automatic transmission and saves somewhat more fuel) and excellent ergonomics, you will not get tired even after a day of crush in urban traffic jams. It is a pity that Nissan dealers could not hold prices at the same low level. And they still have not led them to a single denominator.
 
Alexey Sergeev, photo Maxim Goncharov
 
 

A source: Magazine "Limousine" [08/03]