Avensis T180 Hatchback Quick Review

[tubaman]

Just had my 2006 T180 5 dr hatchback for 2 weeks, some observations:-

Ride: Good & similar to my old 2002 Avensis

Interior: Quite impressed, good quality plastics, loads of extras as standard, everything electric (is this a good thing ?), half leather/alcantra seats good BUT padding on outer edges of seats appears too soft & will collapse at some point in the future

Economy: Not too impressed at moment, almost used a tank of petrol (mixed slow town & some motoway driving) - likely to average 36 mpg from this tankfull but temperatures have been low (0-3 degrees C). I am sure this will improve when weather improves. The cruise control seems to work quite well & should save me some cash on long motorway journeys as it seems to do a better job than me

SAT NAV: It works & I quite like it. Naturally, it`s not as good as my standalone TomTom unit but seems to work well although, whilst covering UK & most of Europe, does not seem to accept UK postcodes. There are however loads of other options available with the Sat Nav & I`m really getting to like it

Handling: Very similar to my old Avensis - sure footed & predictable

Power/engine: Plenty of power but quite a narrow power band 1800-3500 ? and does definitely shows some turbo-lag. 3rd gear is the star here, leaving many cars behind

Noise: Well insulated cabin but tyre noise is higher than I would have hoped for in this quality of car

6th Gear: What use is it ? Why is it there ? The car seems very highly geared & gap between 2nd & 3rd seems too wide for my liking. The 6th gear appears only to be of any use for cruising over 80 mph.

Overall, I really like the car - it really is quite classy but highly geared, no doubt to aid emissions & economy. I have yet to have a problem with the EGR system which, whilst I am sure helps keep emissions low, must hinder fuel economy.

I would be interested to hear what other T180 owners/users think of their cars

[Bry]

Thankfully, I got rid of mine 6 months ago and replaced it with a 150 cdti Vectra Design, I know few on here will agree, especially the Toyota reps, but IMHO, based on this one, the Vectra is a better Car in every respect, comfort, refinement, build quality, space and reliabilty, not a thing gone wrong in 14000 miles, and looks better.

BUT MUCH MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE VECTRA HAS AVERAGED 52.6 MPG OVER THAT DISTANCE (official combined is 49) DRIVEN WITHOUT RESORTING TO PATHETIC DRIVING TECHNIQUES IE HOOFED EVERY DAY! MY T180 AVERAGED 38.6 over 42K WHILST MAKNG SURE I DIDN'T CRACK THE WRENS EGG ON THE THROTTLE PEDAL.

My T180 had, new injectors fitted, new EGR valve, two remaps, brakes replaced to try to resolve the soft sponge pedal feel. Work to resolve the erratic automatic wipers and lights and the A/C that blows cold air in your face when its -10 outside! Nothing resolved anything. The Vectra has all of the same features and everyone works perfectly.

THE VECTRA ALSO FEELS MORE RESPONSIVE AND JUST AS QUICK! THEN AGAIN THE VECTRA HATCHBACK DOES NOT HAVE A DPF FITTED, THE REASON THE T180 ENGINE IS SO BAD.

AND... IF I LOST EVERY PENNY I PAID FOR FOR THE VECTRA, IT WILL BE LESS THAN I LOST ON THE T180 = over £13K, I got £9K for it and that took one hell of an effort, the average offered was £8K !!!!!!!!!!

Never again will I trust Toyota's economy figures, in fact that is my last Toyota.

[Heidfirst]

AND... IF I LOST EVERY PENNY I PAID FOR FOR THE VECTRA, IT WILL BE LESS THAN I LOST ON THE T180 = over £13K, I got £9K for it and that took one hell of an effort, the average offered was £8K !!!!!!!!!!

I got offered a 6 month old 08 plate 1.9CDTI Elite estate with 12k on it from a main Vauxhall dealer for 10300 on the road - a discount of 16K (60% off theoretical new list) which is certainly worse depreciation than on a similar Avensis.

In fact I ended up paying slightly more for a 2.2 TR D4D because I preferred it & imo it was worth the small extra.

I agree that the Vectra handles better (particularly steering feel) & in terms of ultimate load lugging ability is better due to longer load bay.

Imo though the Avensis cabin is a far nicer environment & I found it more comfortable for me.

I'll be disappointed if it isn't as reliable as my previous Vauxhalls but none of them (& I've had a few ;)) were fault free over their lives. Surveys like JDPower suggest that the Avensis should be better.

[Guest The-Nark]

Economy: Not too impressed at moment, almost used a tank of petrol (mixed slow town & some motoway driving) - likely to average 36 mpg from this tankfull but temperatures have been low (0-3 degrees C). I am sure this will improve when weather improves. The cruise control seems to work quite well & should save me some cash on long motorway journeys as it seems to do a better job than me

6th Gear: What use is it ? Why is it there ? The car seems very highly geared & gap between 2nd & 3rd seems too wide for my liking. The 6th gear appears only to be of any use for cruising over 80 mph.

Of course the economy is bad. PUT IT IN 6th Gear, that's what it is there for

f :censor: g pensioner drivers!

You have been Narked!

[tubaman]

6th Gear ?

In my opinion it is useless under 80mph - unless someone can convince me to the contrary

[Heidfirst]

it's an overdrive there for economy (& certainly usable for that puprpose below 80mph).

I think that you will find that max road speed is achieved in 5th.