2013 Toyota Avensis TR 1.8 petrol

Summary:

Smooth daily driver

Faults:

The car has required nothing but services and consumable items replaced during my three year ownership; no major faults or breakdowns.

General Comments:

This Avensis has been my regular car for a few years now, an easy and obvious choice for those that want reliability and hassle free motoring.

2013 but feels like new. The car is in excellent condition. Look after these cars and they will last. The car has all the features expected from a 2013 model.

Styling is OK if you have a darker color and alloy wheels; the car looks good from the side and back, but the front grille is a bit odd looking. Not unbearably ugly, but just a bit big and out of proportion with the rest of the car, but I can live with it, and I think this 2013 car is better looking than the later face-lifted 2015 Avensis.

Interior on the other hand has actually got some nice stylish touches here and there. Also very comfortable and good control layout. A lot of people complain about the electronic parking brake - once you are used to it, it is not a problem. A lot of modern cars have those now.

1.8 petrol with the auto is a good option - fast enough and economical for petrol. The car drives great, nothing special, but good enough for most. Feels like a lazy old smooth luxury sedan after driving my second car, a 1990's Starlet, a wild little hot hatch and a very different car!

Smooth, comfortable and dependable, you gotta love Toyota as they know how to make an easy to live with car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th February, 2023

2013 Toyota Avensis TR Estate 1.8 petrol

Summary:

Excellent family estate car

Faults:

Nothing, I have only had it six months and it has low mileage.

General Comments:

This Avensis is surprisingly good to drive and for a 1.8 automatic estate car, it can move fast enough as well. I have also averaged 42 mpg.

Roomy and well equipped, the cabin is a nice place to be. Very quiet and refined.

My car is dark blue with standard alloy wheels, looks good.

I have heard these cars are reliable and I hope to keep mine a long time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th December, 2022

2013 Toyota Avensis D-D4 Icon 2.0 turbo diesel

Summary:

Solid reliable car

Faults:

DPF needed clearing out (re-gen). Short drives seem to clog it up.

Display in center of dash a bit faded.

Knocking from suspension, replaced shocks at front.

Oil changes kept up to date, no major issues with this car outside of wear and tear expected at the age and mileage. Use quality fuel and oil and give it a long drive now and then to keep it happy.

General Comments:

Bought this Avensis as a daily driver, and it has been excellent and flawlessly reliable. A boring car if I am being honest, but give me reliability any day of the week.

Looks good in dark blue with nice alloy wheels, Icon model is about mid range and has full electrics, air con, everything you need. Absolutely hate the electronic handbrake though, I am one of those old school drivers that prefer the mechanical lever. It is the only thing that ruins an otherwise satisfying car to drive.

The 2.0 turbo diesel is decent enough performing and you can get over 50 miles per gallon on a long drive.

Recommended if you want a no frills car for everyday use that won't break the bank and be reliable. Miles are getting higher now but still holds its value well; I got a great used deal on this car and will sell it for a good price also.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th January, 2022

20th Feb 2022, 16:23

They are nice cars, you are right about the annoying electronic brake though, worse in this car as it is under the steering wheel to the left. And more manufacturers are doing this nonsense!

If you preferred this, then Mercedes had it right in the 1980's - a foot lever and mechanical release at hand on the dash. No electronics or nasty repairs for the motors and much more intuitive.

Or better yet, give every car a proper lever/ratchet with cables as 90% of cars used to be and don't fix what is not not broken ;)

19th Mar 2022, 17:01

Everyone I know dislikes the electronic parking brake, myself included. It's a thing most drivers never asked for. I suspect unfortunately however it will become common place as the years go on. Certainly most good 2010 on-wards cars I have drove have them. And I am still not used to them after all this time!

20th Nov 2022, 11:31

The odd E-brake aside, I would agree with the review and comments. The Avensis of this generation is one of the most reliable bargains you can get right now.