We say Reliable, comfortable and packing strong diesel engines. Unfortunately it's also very dull and does nothing to excite unless you love load volume.Performance Pick of the lot is the mid-range 124bhp 2.0-litre diesel. It’s probably the most flexible out of them all, though it’s nothing to write home about. We can’t justify paying the premium for the 148bhp 2.2-litre diesel even though it is the fastest engine in the line-up with a 0-60mph sprint time of nine seconds flat and a top speed of 130mph.Emissions CO2 emissions and fuel economy figures are average across all engines in the Avensis estate’s line-up. The diesels are the better option because they offer good levels of performance and slightly improved fuel economy and emissions figures. The best is the 2.0-litre D-4D 124bhp unit which returns 49mpg and emits 149g/km.Driving The Avensis estate is surprisingly agile for such a large car. It handles very much like a family car but a smaller one than an estate. It handles corners well with relatively little bodyroll but the steering is overly assisted and lacks any kind of feel.Feel Among the most refined in its class; the Avensis estate’s engines are very smooth and there’s virtually no external noise audible in the cabin. It’s also incredibly comfortable thanks to a relatively soft suspension setup that absorbs bumps and potholes brilliantly.Space There’s more than enough space for five, as well as a fair bit of luggage room too, with 510-litres at its disposal. Unfortunately that falls short of load capacities set by some of its rivals.Equipment Air conditioning comes as standard but alloys do not. The next trim offers the best value for money, adding climate control, sat-nav and alloys among other creature comforts.Price It’s competitively priced with entry-level models starting from around £15,000 and residuals are strong. Running costs are affordable too, especially on diesel-equipped models.Quality A solid car overall, but not as classy as some rivals. It favours utility and reliability over anything else which is noticeable in a fairly drab interior; it’s neat and tidy but dull. Toyota does have a great reliability record, and backs the Avensis Tourer with a five-year warranty.Safety Nine airbags, active front head restraints and stability control all come as standard.Pros The Avensis estate is a safe choice which is why it appeals to so many in the market for a large family car. There’s unlikely to be any issues with it in terms of longevity and reliability.Cons The Avensis estate lacks the glitz and style of some large estates that compete with the Japanese model. They are also more flexible and come with more choice in terms of engines.Alternatives Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer, Ford Mondeo Estate.
