New 2.0 Litre Diesel - A Good Choice Or Go For 2.2 Litre?

November 20, 2006

I'm going to get a new Avensis with either the new 2.0 litre diesel or the current 2.2 litre engine. I'm looking for help.

Has anyone compared these?

Or does anyone regret buying the new 2.0 litre?

Thanks

November 21, 2006

If your budget stretches, I'd say go for the 2.2, the extra power is nice (I have 2.0 and its a bit lacking) plus you get traction control, 6 speed box, and I believe cruise control as well.

November 21, 2006

If your budget stretches, I'd say go for the 2.2, the extra power is nice (I have 2.0 and its a bit lacking) plus you get traction control, 6 speed box, and I believe cruise control as well.

I hadn't realised the 2 litre missed out on all that, but I can confirm that the 2.2 has it. If the 2.0 genuinely hasn't then take the 2.2 for sure, the 6spd and cruise are indispensible on a daily basis IMO, and the traction control will be on occasions.

For the extra £500 (and slight economy penalty) the 2.2 seems good value to me, and I didn't really consider the 2.0, although it does sound a very good engine.

Dunkelmann, I would recommend you have a test-drive in them - although if it has very low mileage don't be surprised if it feels less powerful than you expect. My 2.2 has loosened up considerably as the miles have mounted up.

November 21, 2006

On the latest 2007 models the new 2 litre comes with exactly the same spec as the 2.2 litre, that is, cruise control VSC TRC ABS etc. So all that is worth considering is the power and mpg.

So far I've driven the current 2.2 and the old 2 litre (the latter not being very impressive but it may have been a crap car). I quite liked the power but doubt I'd need it on a regular basis.

The new 2 litre models seem to be as rare as hen's teeth so it's not easy to get one to road test. On-line reviews do seem to rate it quite highly. Since it has increased power over the old, bringing it closer to the 2.2, I thought the difference might not be worth the extra money (see specs below).

Mkuk0 - is it the old model 2 litre (pre-July 2006) you have?

Specs from the latest brochure:

2 Litre D-4D 130

93 kW (126 DIN hp)/3600rpm

300Nm/2000-2800rpm

2.2 Litre D-4D 150

110 kW (150 DIN hp)/3600rpm

310Nm/2000-3200rpm

So the 2.2 has 19% more power and 3% more torque at a 50% increase in rpm range.

Now since in diesels power is less important than torque, I'm guessing all this means is that the acceleration won't be hugely better and the top speed slightly better:

2.0 0-62mph 10.6 sec

2.2 0-62mph 9.3 sec (12% better)

2.0 top speed 124mph

2.2 top speed 130mph (5% faster)

The 2.0 litre seems comparable with my 1.8 petrol and it's no slouch.

Cheers