Toyota Avensis updated

The Toyota Avensis range has received a series of updates to bring it in line with the brand’s new specification structure. The Ford Mondeo rival now comes in Active, Icon, Icon Plus and Excel trims, and is priced from £19,155.

The new grades replace the T2, TR, T4 and T Spirit specs, with all models gaining ‘follow-me-home’ headlights, which stay on for a short time after you turn off the engine. DAB radio is standard on Icon trim and above, while every car comes with Bluetooth, air-con and seven airbags.

In other respects, the new models carry over the previous specs like for like, with the flagship Excel boasting LED daytime running lights, 18-inch alloy wheels and heated leather seats. Parking sensors, xenon headlamps and power-folding door mirrors are also standard.

The new Toyota Avensis officially goes on sale on 1 April, and the £19,155 Active-spec saloon kicks off the range with a 1.8-litre petrol engine and manual gearbox. The entry-level Active Tourer estate is priced from £20,205 with the same engine and gearbox.

An automatic gearbox carries a premium of £1,050 on petrol models, while the diesel range starts at £20,155 for the 2.0-litre D-4D Active saloon. The equivalent Tourer estate costs £21,205, and all diesel models promise significantly improved fuel economy and emissions over their petrol counterparts.

Mid-spec Icon Plus saloons start at £23,245 for the 1.8-litre petrol, while topping the updated Avensis range is the 2.2-litre D-CAT diesel Excel Tourer, at £29,895.