Honest John Reviews The Latest Avensis 2015

[Konrad C]

Honest John has done a recent review on the 2015 Avensis. http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/toyota/avensis-2015/?section=good

The general negative points are not that important or makes the car bad or really dangerous. Just the usual bland styling, not fun to drive, even mentioning that the engine needs to be worked hard, depends on the drivers style.

Yet the intro say Toyota prioritises value and practicality over style and driving excitement!

I have said this before. In the current climate of speed restrictions, speed bumps, 20 mph limits and cameras, plus the term "anti-social driving", makes exciting driving irrelevant.

Oh yes, the so called diesel emissions are not as low as the rivals, but if some of the rivals are in the VW/Audi group, then that may mean nothing.

Economy has to be real world not lab figures.

Honest John seems to prefer diesels, even though they are getting negative press, and become troublesome in later in life.

Read for yourselves and decide what you think.

[Heidfirst]

"Honest John seems to prefer diesels, even though they are getting negative press, and become troublesome in later in life. "

Honest John imo was probably one of the first sites to start flagging the problems of DMF, DPF etc. etc. for diesels a few years down the line & I think that his view very much depends upon need & who is running the car i.e. picking the right car for the job. For a company-owned high miler on motorways he'll quite happily recommend a diesel assuming that it will be run under warranty & got shot of probably by the time it is 3 whereas for someone doing a low urban mileage & buying a 5 year old car he won't.

I also believe that he thinks that the diesel premium/retained value for s/h is starting to diminish & is likely to continue to do so (& the VW issues have just compounded things & brought them to the forefront).

[Konrad C]

Thanks Scott.

HJ does like the diesel cars strong points, which make a better drive than petrol cars. All that power without having to rev the engine is a major point, but all that tech that makes them better becomes the Achilles later in life, as you said. For me petrol all the way.

[Waseem1]

He did however say very few faults listed

[Konrad C]

One thing about new Avensis I can agree, is the smaller engine line up. Only one petrol engine the 1.8. In it's defence, the 1.8 is close to the 2.0 ltr in performance, whilst actually better than the (waste of time) 1.6 at fuel consumption and emissions. 1.6 has to work hard to match the 1.8, making it even worse. I suppose the 1.6 is for markets that penalise on engine capacities.

So Toyota are right to rationalise the petrol engine to the 1.8 for the UK. Maybe a turbo charged small engine will come in the future.

The diesels have been made to meet the the new Euro 6 emissions.

[Heidfirst]

also, as somebody that keeps cars for 5+ years I'm a fan of "keep it simple" - the 1.8 Valvematic has no turbo or intercooler to worry about failing down the line.

There aren't many cars in this class that you can say that of these days (at least in the UK).

[Konrad C]

also, as somebody that keeps cars for 5+ years I'm a fan of "keep it simple" - the 1.8 Valvematic has no turbo or intercooler to worry about failing down the line.

There aren't many cars in this class that you can say that of these days (at least in the UK).

Scott, that is a great statement!

Legislation is forcing the manufacturers to get more complicated to meet emission targets and still have performance. So more of these petrol turbo engines are being installed in car. These car need more servicing, but some manufacturers have long service intervals or the owners ignore the warning signs.

Thing are so complicated that you now need diagnostics to check things. I have just invested in TechStream and Launch CRP129 OBD2 scanners.

I read readers reviews on other makes, and some have said that the motor journalists seem to have a bias towards German cars and diesels.

Long time reliability is not their concern after 5 years.

Oh yes, the New Avensis has a German diesel engine!