2.0 D4d Optimal Drive Engine (125ps)

[Stuman]

Dear All,

I've read road test reports on the 2009 Avensis that say that this engine is OK (flexible and fast enough), then others that complain about noise and sluggishness. I'm wondering whether anyone can comment on their experience of this engine.

My current car is a 2007 2.2 D4D 150, which I find has more than ample power for my driving style - where I tend to use the mid range rather than top end and accelerate fairly gently most of the time. I've got to change this in June for a new car and am considering going for the 2.0 D4D 125 due to the increase in economy and lower cost, and am wondering how different it will feel to drive.

The car before my current one was the 'old' 2.0 D4d with 115HP, which seemed fast enough once above 2000 revs, but really bogged down below that. I wouldn't want to go back to that again, but expect that the current 2.0 D4D is much better? That is the real reason for the concern.

Any views much appreciated!

[Parva]

It must be a terrible dilemma for you to make this decision. I would get yourself a Nissan Micra for the next 12 months then when your next renewal comes up you probably won't care.... :)

[Stuman]

Parva,

Thanks for bringing me down to Earth on that one!

Still, if anyone has some views, I'd be interested.

[igormus]

Dear All,

I've read road test reports on the 2009 Avensis that say that this engine is OK (flexible and fast enough), then others that complain about noise and sluggishness. I'm wondering whether anyone can comment on their experience of this engine.

My current car is a 2007 2.2 D4D 150, which I find has more than ample power for my driving style - where I tend to use the mid range rather than top end and accelerate fairly gently most of the time. I've got to change this in June for a new car and am considering going for the 2.0 D4D 125 due to the increase in economy and lower cost, and am wondering how different it will feel to drive.

The car before my current one was the 'old' 2.0 D4d with 115HP, which seemed fast enough once above 2000 revs, but really bogged down below that. I wouldn't want to go back to that again, but expect that the current 2.0 D4D is much better? That is the real reason for the concern.

Any views much appreciated!

hi mate

all engines output is subject to good mainetance. the more volume the more fuel consimption and wise.

we always drive but with diferent cost per mile or km depending on engine volume.

CHeers/Igor

[woodchipper]

I HAVE JUST RECENTLY TOOK DELIVERY OF A 2.0D4D ,THERE IS PLENTY OF POWER FOR EVERYDAY DRIVING ,VERY QUITE AND RELAXING AND ENOUGH POWER IF YOU WANT TO PUSH ON A BIT.

MY DAD HAS A VERSO 2.2 140 AND THERE IS NOT MUCH BETWEEN THEM REGARDING POWER.

I THINK YOU WILL FIND IT NO DIFFERENT .

[didje]

I HAVE JUST RECENTLY TOOK DELIVERY OF A 2.0D4D ,THERE IS PLENTY OF POWER FOR EVERYDAY DRIVING ,VERY QUITE AND RELAXING AND ENOUGH POWER IF YOU WANT TO PUSH ON A BIT.

MY DAD HAS A VERSO 2.2 140 AND THERE IS NOT MUCH BETWEEN THEM REGARDING POWER.

I THINK YOU WILL FIND IT NO DIFFERENT .

Hiya

I have 2.0 ltr d4d reg march 09 Avensis tourer p/x a 06 (new style) RAV 2.2 for it the RAV had oil leaks, injector pipes replaced water pump replaced all under warranty the RAV had done under 40,000 mls. The Avensis now done 11,000 mls is cheaper to tax and has better fuel economy the power out put is ok for me but i,m not a boy racer BUT the front tyre wear seems to be horrific

didje

[woodchipper]

what brand of tyre do you have on your avensis ?

[didje]

what brand of tyre do you have on your avensis ?

The tyres are Bridgstone (same as the Rav i had) it is only my personal opinion but i do not regard these as a quality tyre i would put them below average i can only think that Toyota get a really good deal on the quantity they purchase

[burnham35]

Hi. I won't go into the full story you will have to read the old thread, I bought a 2.0 d4d tourer TR in febuary 2009 when they first came out. I have always had 2.2 150 before.

I found the car very slugish, I do a lot of motorway milage and found it would not get up and go like the 150. and the fuel economy was a lot worse than the 2.2, I did about 6k in the car and it never got any better.

I only kept the car for 10 weeks as I hated it, Toyota replaced it with one of the last old shape 2.2 ,150

which I am still using and is an excelent car.

In my opinion if you are used to a 2.2, going to a 2.0 would be a mistake.

[Phoenix999]

As far as I am concerned the entire thing is subjective.... if you move down an engine size then there must be a trade off

Going down in engine power does not mean that the smaller engine is bad nor does it mean that the bigger engine is good.... it simply means they are different

I used to own a Nissan 350Z at 280bhp and moved down to a 200bhp Land Cruiser.... does that mean the 350Z was better? No it was simply different I moved down on engine output from the LC to my current 145bhp Avensis.... nope the Avensis is not worse, again it is just different :)

Regardless of bhp.... if the engine does what you want and is reliable then it is good and simply different when compared to a more powerful unit ;)

Burnham.... I have had my car now for 7 months and I find it very comfortable, no problems at all with the seats

[burnham35]

Hi. I won't go into the full story you will have to read the old thread, I bought a 2.0 d4d tourer TR in febuary 2009 when they first came out. I have always had 2.2 150 before.

I found the car very slugish, I do a lot of motorway milage and found it would not get up and go like the 150. and the fuel economy was a lot worse than the 2.2, I did about 6k in the car and it never got any better.

I only kept the car for 10 weeks as I hated it, Toyota replaced it with one of the last old shape 2.2 ,150

which I am still using and is an excelent car.

In my opinion if you are used to a 2.2, going to a 2.0 would be a mistake.

Hi

As I stated 9 months ago the problem was with the TR cloth seats not the T4 leather seats as you have.

With the power output we have a new 1600cc verso which is no rocket ship but is nice to drive. My point is as with myself if you are used to the perfomance and economy of the 2.2 some people will find the 2.0 frustrating to drive.

[Stuman]

All - Thanks for the useful comments.

Burnham - I'll look up your old thread. The reason for moving to the 2.0 are lower running costs (fuel economy plus lower monthly payments on the car scheme), so if economy has suffered then this really is an issue.

Thanks again.

[burnham35]

All - Thanks for the useful comments.

Burnham - I'll look up your old thread. The reason for moving to the 2.0 are lower running costs (fuel economy plus lower monthly payments on the car scheme), so if economy has suffered then this really is an issue.

Thanks again.

Hi

Funnly enough those are the same reasons I had the 2.0 TR and not the 2.2 T4, and I regreted it from the day I picked the car up.

Hope you enjoy your new car , what ever you choose. :D

[downtime]

Hi. I won't go into the full story you will have to read the old thread, I bought a 2.0 d4d tourer TR in febuary 2009 when they first came out. I have always had 2.2 150 before.

I found the car very slugish, I do a lot of motorway milage and found it would not get up and go like the 150. and the fuel economy was a lot worse than the 2.2, I did about 6k in the car and it never got any better.

I only kept the car for 10 weeks as I hated it, Toyota replaced it with one of the last old shape 2.2 ,150

which I am still using and is an excelent car.

In my opinion if you are used to a 2.2, going to a 2.0 would be a mistake.

I also have the same engine 2.0 D4D optimal drive and I have to agree with burnham35. The engine feels sluggish and is mostly suited for city driving. It really struggles on motorway driving. Also the fuel economy is BAD. The quoted figures are 5.7litres/100km combined but I never have been able to go that low. At the moment my longer period consumption stands at 6.7 litres/100km which is one liter more. Also I've never had the car to go under 5litres/100km on rural driving.

If you choose that engine chip it. I did and now it's much better.

But even chipping won't change the fact that the car still feels sluggish when accelerating from a complete stop. The gear ratios are very very short on 1st and 2nd gear which isn't helping.

If I had a chance to choose the engine now, I would pick the 150bhp 2.2 liter D4D. Actually I would probably pick a completely different car :) Avensis is a great car but a bit boring..... But that's another thing.

[RK123456]

I took delivery of an Avensis T2 Tourer at the end of March 2009 from new. 2.0 litre 125 hp diesel. Done 32k miles so far, mainly long runs, gives me 55 mpg average, no complaints about the performance or acceleration.

On another subject:

My only concern is during the last service at 30k, I was advised the rear brake pads need replacing within the next 3,000 miles. Could this be as a result of the automatically releasing electric handbrake? I would normally expect front pads to need replacing before the rear ones. I drive the car reasonably carefully, try to avoid harsh acceleration & hard braking, the 55 mpg average is testament to that.

[Stuman]

Does anyone know whether the 2 litre diesel comes with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in the UK?

I've hear that these have been troublesome on the T180 models.

[downtime]

Does anyone know whether the 2 litre diesel comes with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in the UK?

I've hear that these have been troublesome on the T180 models.

I'm pretty sure it's standard on every country. So yes.

There shouldn't be any problems as this is a new construction of the DPF. The older one had some issues with clogging as the burn process didn't start if you mostly drove short trips. Now you won't even notice the burns except from the smell when you park the car :)

[Stuman]

Downtime,

Thanks for the reply.

The reason I ask is that the information on the internet indicates that the DPF installation is dependent on country specific requirements within Europe (some countries get an oxidation catalyst only instead). Also, the UK Avensis brochure lists three diesels, and only the 2.2 automatic is D-CAT, the 2.0/2.2 manuals are listed as D-4D. D-CAT as I understand it includes the DPF and NOx catalyst.

So it is a bit confusing really!

[Stuman]

Well, I've had the car two weeks now and have to say that I am very pleased with it.

I've not noticed a significant reduction in power compared with the 2.2 and am averaging 55mpg (calculated from fill ups; the trip computer is stating 50-52 mpg), compared with 47mpg on the 2.2. So both of these are about on the book value.

The engine is slightly noisier than the 2.2, which is a surprise, especially the light rattling at tickover (had me looking in the mirror for a lorry the first time), but by no means irritating or unpleasant. It is also very smooth.

The only problem I've got is squeaky brakes when coming to a complete halt - not sure why this should be. It was like that from day one. I thought it because the car might have been in storage for a time and would probably go away as the pads wore in, but it hasn't!

The only other irritation is the upgrades that I just missed out on, which were added to the 2010 T4 (mine is 2009 stock); full colour sat nav, premium hard drive audio system, reversing camera, IPod USB connector).

[downtime]

The only problem I've got is squeaky brakes when coming to a complete halt - not sure why this should be. It was like that from day one. I thought it because the car might have been in storage for a time and would probably go away as the pads wore in, but it hasn't!

Take it to the dealer. The fix is to change the pads. There has been numerous complaints about this same problem here in Finland. Toyota is fixing this issues by replacing all the brake pads to a different type one.

Also what comes to the engine. Toyota has made some changes to the 2.0D4D optimal drive engine to 2011 models. They've fine tuned the gear ratios so that the car should now pull better with lower rpm's. Also the 1st and 2nd gear should have a bit longer ratio so it's easier to accelerate from standstill.

By the way, funny thing about this engine is that I recently took a test drive in this new shape Verso. It had this same 2.0 liter Diesel engine. There was absolutely NO diesel ticking when accelerating. On the contrary the car sounded more like a petrol car. I could even say that the engine sound was more in the sporter side. Also the engine sound was insulated much better.

[dervdave]

Also what comes to the engine. Toyota has made some changes to the 2.0D4D optimal drive engine to 2011 models. They've fine tuned the gear ratios so that the car should now pull better with lower rpm's. Also the 1st and 2nd gear should have a bit longer ratio so it's easier to accelerate from standstill.

By the way, funny thing about this engine is that I recently took a test drive in this new shape Verso. It had this same 2.0 liter Diesel engine. There was absolutely NO diesel ticking when accelerating. On the contrary the car sounded more like a petrol car. I could even say that the engine sound was more in the sporter side. Also the engine sound was insulated much better.

I`ve got to agree because I was puzzled when the OP mentioned the noisey engine because I`ve found mine (and a mates at work) to be among the quietest diesels I`ve ever heard. :)