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Toyota Avensis

34 Euro NCAP points: the 2003 Avensis raised the crash-test bar.1

Researched October 23, 2026 from 26 sources

At a glance

0100200
89–175 hpPower
07.515
8.5–11.8 s0–100 km/h
0125250
180–220 km/hTop speed
0200400
150–400 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,200–1,650 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1569101314

Layout
Front-engine, FWD; Japanese second generation also 4WD3
Gearbox
5/6-speed manuals; 4/5/6-speed automatics; third-gen Multidrive S CVT12
Built at
Burnaston, Derbyshire, United Kingdom; 1997–20181
Units built
Over 1.8 million built by the end of 20102

The story

Designed to replace the Carina E with greater refinement in 1997, the Avensis takes its name from French avancer, 'to advance.' In October 2003, the British-built second generation arrived in Japan.1234

1997: Avensis replaces the Carina E19971999: SR introduces common-rail D-4D19992000: VVT-i arrives across the gasoline range20002003: Toyota's European flagship goes to Japan · 34 points top the Euro NCAP table20032006: T180 brings 175 hp and 400 Nm20062009: Valvematic meets premium ambitions20092015: New cabin, Safety Sense and BMW diesels20152018: Burnaston ends its Avensis run2018 Toyota Corona: 1957–2001Toyota CoronaToyota Carina (first generation) (A10/A30): 1970–1977A10/A30Toyota Avensis (first generation) (T220): 1997–2003T220Toyota Avensis (second generation) (T250): 2003–2009T250Toyota Avensis (third generation) (T270): 2009–2018T270 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones148102021
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1957–2001Toyota Corona
1970–1977Toyota Carina (first generation) (A10/A30)
1997–2003Toyota Avensis (first generation) (T220)
2003–2009Toyota Avensis (second generation) (T250)
2009–2018Toyota Avensis (third generation) (T270)
1997Avensis replaces the Carina E
1999SR introduces common-rail D-4D
2000VVT-i arrives across the gasoline range
2003Toyota's European flagship goes to Japan
200334 points top the Euro NCAP table
2006T180 brings 175 hp and 400 Nm
2009Valvematic meets premium ambitions
2015New cabin, Safety Sense and BMW diesels
2018Burnaston ends its Avensis run
  1. 1997

    Avensis replaces the Carina E

    October's newcomer replaced the British-built Carina E; engines were 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 L gasoline fours and a 2.0 L diesel.2

  2. 1999

    SR introduces common-rail D-4D

    The SR 2.0 L D-4D brought Toyota's first passenger-car common-rail diesel: 110 hp, 250 Nm and a five-speed manual.5

  3. 2000

    VVT-i arrives across the gasoline range

    August's update added new 1.6 and 1.8 L VVT-i engines plus a direct-injection 2.0 L; the latter delivered 147 hp.6

  4. 2003

    Toyota's European flagship goes to Japan

    The second generation launched in Europe in March as Toyota's flagship; British-built sedans and wagons reached Japan in October.34

  5. 2003

    34 points top the Euro NCAP table

    The second generation set a 34-point Euro NCAP record and introduced Europe's first standard driver's knee airbag.178

  6. 2006

    T180 brings 175 hp and 400 Nm

    For the 2007 model year, T180 added a 2.2 L D-CAT diesel, smoked 17-inch wheels and leather/Alcantara upholstery.9

  7. 2009

    Valvematic meets premium ambitions

    January's third generation targeted premium quality, with Valvematic gasoline engines, six-speed manuals, Multidrive S CVT and a diesel automatic.1011

  8. 2015

    New cabin, Safety Sense and BMW diesels

    LED styling, a new cabin and standard Safety Sense joined BMW-derived diesels: 110 hp 1.6 L and 141 hp 2.0 L, the latter rated at 62.8 mpg (UK).21213

  9. 2018

    Burnaston ends its Avensis run

    Production stopped in August, closing a run begun in 1997; the Avensis was partially replaced in Europe by the Camry.1

Every generation

  • Toyota Corona
    Toyota Corona1957–2001
  • Toyota Carina (first generation)
    A10/A301970–1977
  • Toyota Carina E
    Toyota Carina E
  • Toyota Avensis (first generation)
    T2201997–2003
  • Toyota Avensis (second generation)
    T2502003–2009
  • Toyota Avensis (third generation)
    T2702009–2018
  • Toyota Camry
    XV70

Power over the years

From 110 hp to 175 hp in 7 years.

050100150200 2000200520102015 hp 1999 · 110 hp · SR 2.0 D-4D2000 · 147 hp · 2.0 D4 VVT-i2003 · 116 hp · 2.0 D-4D2003 · 129 hp · 1.8 VVT-i2005 · 161 hp · Japan 2.4 D-42006 · 124 hp · 2.0 D-4D 130 (2007 model year)2006 · 175 hp · T180 2.2 D-4D 1802009 · 145 hp · 1.8 Valvematic2009 · 150 hp · 2.0 Valvematic2015 · 110 hp · BMW-derived 1.6 D-4D2015 · 141 hp · BMW-derived 2.0 D-4D 175 hp T180 2.2 D-4D 180 110 hp SR 2.0 D-4D
1235689101213
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1999110SR 2.0 D-4D
20001472.0 D4 VVT-i
20031162.0 D-4D
20031291.8 VVT-i
2005161Japan 2.4 D-4
20061242.0 D-4D 130 (2007 model year)
2006175T180 2.2 D-4D 180
20091451.8 Valvematic
20091502.0 Valvematic
2015110BMW-derived 1.6 D-4D
2015141BMW-derived 2.0 D-4D

Versions

9 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Vermont

    2000

  • Third generation TR

    Standard

    Third generation TR

    2009

  • Standard

    Third generation T4

    2009

  • Standard

    Third generation T Spirit

    2009

  • Standard

    Active

    2015–2018

  • Standard

    Excel

    2015–2018

  • Special

    Colour Collection

    2005

  • Performance

    SR D4-D

    1999

    110 hp

  • Performance

    T180

    2006

    175 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • First generation: cab-forward sedan shape, also offered as a liftback and wagon.2
  • Second-generation hatchbacks have sedan-like proportions.116
  • Third-generation sedan: a steeply rising window line leads to a raised trunk.7
  • 2012 facelift: narrower headlights incorporate daytime running lights.117
  • 2015 facelift: chrome links the headlights above a large lower grille and gloss-black bumper center.118

Year by year

  1. August 2000

    First generation: jewel-effect headlights, slatted grille, cleaner bumper, two-tone rear lamps and a center-console audio display.26

  2. 2006 / 2007 model year

    Second generation: new grille, bumper and lamp designs; turn signals moved into the mirrors, with new upholstery and dashboard trim.19

  3. 2009

    Third generation arrived as sedan and wagon only, dropping the hatchback offered by the second generation.19

  4. 2011 reveal / 2012 sales

    Narrower headlights gained daytime running lights; lower grille grew, rear lamps changed and instrument lighting switched to white.117

  5. 2015

    Sleeker headlights, a larger lower grille around a gloss-black bumper center, LED rear-light guides and a new interior.11418

  6. 2015 cabin

    Business Edition gains an 8-inch touchscreen; the new 4.2-inch instrument display is color except on Active.12

Prices

Price when new
$0$20K$40K$60K 2000200520102015 2000 · $19,622 · UK 1.6 Vermont saloon; £1~$1.512003 · $22,812 · UK 1.8 T2 saloon; £1~$1.632003 · $35,037 · UK 2.0 T Spirit wagon AT; £1~$1.632005 · $25,471 · UK 1.8 Colour Collection; £1~$1.822007 · $31,030 · UK 1.8 T2 saloon; £1~$2.002007 · $46,030 · UK 2.0 T Spirit wagon AT; £1~$2.002009 · $24,586 · UK 1.8 T2 saloon; £1~$1.562009 · $38,329 · UK T Spirit 180 wagon; £1~$1.562015 · $27,180 · UK 1.8 Active saloon; £1~$1.532015 · $43,513 · UK 2.0D Excel wagon; £1~$1.53
1689101215
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2000Price when new$19,622UK 1.6 Vermont saloon; £1~$1.51
2003Price when new$22,812UK 1.8 T2 saloon; £1~$1.63
2003Price when new$35,037UK 2.0 T Spirit wagon AT; £1~$1.63
2005Price when new$25,471UK 1.8 Colour Collection; £1~$1.82
2007Price when new$31,030UK 1.8 T2 saloon; £1~$2.00
2007Price when new$46,030UK 2.0 T Spirit wagon AT; £1~$2.00
2009Price when new$24,586UK 1.8 T2 saloon; £1~$1.56
2009Price when new$38,329UK T Spirit 180 wagon; £1~$1.56
2015Price when new$27,180UK 1.8 Active saloon; £1~$1.53
2015Price when new$43,513UK 2.0D Excel wagon; £1~$1.53

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 9 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “34 points: a crash-test record in 2003”
    • “An NGTC racer with a common skeleton”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 7 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 26 sources
  1. Toyota Avensis - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. History of the Toyota Avensis | Toyota UK mag.toyota.co.uk
  3. 75 Years of TOYOTA | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION GLOBAL WEBSITE | Vehicle Lineage | In-depth Vehicle Information, Specification toyota-global.com
  4. Toyota Launches New Avensis | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website global.toyota
  5. Toyota Avensis SR D4-D - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  6. New Avensis With VVT-i Engines - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  7. Avensis DPL newsroom.toyota.eu
  8. The New Toyota Avensis – A Superior Quality Experience - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  9. The New 2007 Toyota Avensis - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  10. Toyota Presents the New Avensis: Built in Britain - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  11. Toyota Avensis Review | | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  12. New Toyota Avensis: UK Range, Specifications And Prices Announced - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  13. Toyota Avensis (2015-2018) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  14. Toyota Avensis review | CompleteCar.ie completecar.ie
  15. Toyota Introduces Its Spring Spectrum - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  16. Toyota Avensis D-4D T180 | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  17. New Toyota Avensis: Greater Efficiency and Sophistication - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  18. New Avensis: Prestige, comfort and efficiency newsroom.toyota.eu
  19. Used Toyota Avensis buying guide: 2009-present (Mk3) | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  20. Toyota Corona - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Toyota Carina - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  22. TOYOTA AVENSIS BTCC CAR - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  23. Victory For Wrathall, Dynojet And Toyota At Brands Hatch - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  24. Tom Ingram’s Avensis debuts in new Xbox One game - Hansford Sensors hansfordsensors.com
  25. The British Racing Invasion Arrives in the Forza Motorsport 6 Garage - XBOX Wire news.xbox.com
  26. Top Toyota Driver Tom Ingram and the Speedworks Motorsport Team Retain their Touring Car Titles - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • mag.toyota.co.uk
  • toyota-global.com
  • global.toyota
  • media.toyota.co.uk
  • newsroom.toyota.eu
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • completecar.ie
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • hansfordsensors.com
  • news.xbox.com

Photo credits

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