A slow burner is the diesel version of the Avensis Tourer. Michael McAleer warmed to it during their time together.
Our initial impressions of the Avensis when we first drove it were not spectacular. It was an opinion largely driven by a sense of disappointment at the lack of daring in its design.
Toyota, known for good build quality, had been heavily suggesting that this car was a truly European designed model. When it came out, there was no doubting its European credentials, but it just seemed so much like a replica of two or three other mid-range family saloons, rather than something individual. Conservative with a small-c.
Yet in comparison to the car it replaced, it was a brave step forward in styling.
However, the more we see of the Avensis, the more we have come to accept its styling. Time behind the wheel of the diesel estate has focused our mind on some of the positives of this model. Besides, resembling a VW that has been at or near the top of its category sales figures is not all-bad. And even the fact that we are still discussing its inspiration is a positive on the impact of this car on the Irish motoring world.
Bill Cullen, owner of the Renault franchise in Ireland, believes you need to sell 3,000 cars before you begin to notice them on Irish roads. Toyota crossed that threshold early in the year for the new Avensis. You certainly can't go far without seeing one - the distinctive looks and a certain impression of solidity given off by the bulging front grille.
As we have mentioned in Motors on several previous occasions, estate versions can often look more stylish than the saloons. Many car firms, keen to lose the utilitarian lines of traditional estate cars, use more slanted rear doors.
In return you pay some price in space. The Avensis, however, is from the old-school. Though it takes the Tourer moniker it's a proper estate.
Aesthetics aside, the most lasting impression of the car is its sturdiness. It has the solidity of a car from a more expensive segment, all the more impressive when you consider it's built at Toyota's plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, alongside the Corolla, and actually exported to Japan.
An area which was highlighted by Toyota engineers for particular attention in the move upmarket was sound proofing. It was part of the early brief and the Avensis has managed to crack the sound issues in this class. It's arguably the quietest car in its class, though again with this model we found that tyre rumble is a feature on the motorway. But when you are noticing this element of the drive while you are behind the wheel of an oil burner, you realise how successful they have been.
Yet there are only the slightest of hints that this car is fuelled from the same tank as heavy-duty machinery.
The diesel doesn't just offer relatively quiet motoring, it also has an extreme aversion to filling stations, seemingly refusing to match the combined fuel consumption figure offered up by Toyota. With a claimed 46.9mpg, we never managed to get it below 48mpg and that on a wide array of roads and driving conditions. It's rare to find a car that does better than the claims of its maker.
The D4D itself proves competent, carrying the larger body of the estate without too much complaint, though it does take some time to pick up from start. Keeping the rev counter below 3,000 rpm also ensures you get little complaint from the engine and it doesn't interfere with the general ambience in the cabin. Above this rev range you do hear the engine hard at work - it's perhaps not as refined as some of its competitors but it is an improvement on Toyota's previous diesel. One disappointment is that the D4D only comes with manual transmission.
With a 0-62mph time of 11.2seconds, the Tourer is not tearing up the record books. Fully loaded you do find yourself working harder to maintain the pace on some of the back roads. However, cruising on the motorway is a pleasure.
Weighing it up against competitors, reliability would also be a factor. Of course, Toyota does enjoy legendary reliability, as borne out by its scores in the JD Power customer satisfaction index, which places the brand near the top together with sister marque Lexus.
Space is a major factor for an estate and this model offers 1,500 litres for luggage - or alternatively 520 litres with the rear seats up. These figures are comparable with the likes of the Mondeo, which comes in at 1,700 litres.
There is also a handy storage tray under the floor for the tonneau cover (the plastic screen to cover your worldly possessions stored in the boot).
Some estates feel slightly unwieldy behind the wheel, but for all the extra space the Avensis Tourer is only 70mm longer than the saloon or liftback derivatives.
Overall, despite its strong and sturdy look, the Avensis is pretty light and easy to drive given its size and the estate does not break from this mould. Perhaps that is one of the minor irritations for some with the Avensis, it's easy for the driver. But when one considers the sort of mileage done by the average estate driver, any assistance in that area is greatly appreciated.
FACTFILE:
ENGINE: 1995cc four cylinder 16V DOHC direct injection common rail diesel offering 116 bhp at 3,600 rpm and 196 Nm of torque or pick up at 4,000 rpm.
PERFORMANCE: A top speed of 118 mph and 0-62 mph in 11.2 seconds.
SPECIFICATION: Good level of standard spec available. Front, side and knee airbags. All cars come with ABS and EBD.
FUEL: Urban: 36.6 mpg. Extra-urban: 55.2 mpg. Combined 46.9 mpg.
PRICE: €30,400
THE COMPETITION
Toyota Avensis Estate 2-litre D4D. 1995cc; 11.2 (0-62); 118 max speed; 116 bhp; 46.9 mpg combined; €30,400.
Opel Vectra 2.0 DTH. 1994cc; 13.0 (0-62); 119 max speed; 100 bhp; 48.1 mpg combined; €31,560.
Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCI Zetec Wagon. 1998cc; 9.9 (0-62); 119 max speed; 115 bhp; 47.0 mpg combined; €29,551.
Nissan Primera Estate 2.2 Diesel Visia. 2184cc; 10.9 (0-62); 121 max speed; 126 bhp; 36.7 mpg combined; €29,495.
Renault Laguna 1.9 dCi 120 super sport. 1870cc; 13.0 (0-62); 117 max speed; 120 bhp; 51.3 mpg combined; €31,000.