Toyota Avensis (2015-2018) review - Practicality, comfort and boot space

If the Avensis has been lagging behind the competition in most areas so far, it's with interior comfort and space where it draws abreast and, in some cases, ahead of its rivals.

Up front it's spacious with good visibility out and there's plenty of storage thanks to a large glovebox and a large central console cubby – although the cupholders are noticeably too small to hold most bottles and cups which is a shame.

The boot is large too with a wide opening and there's bags of rear space. 

8

Size

At 4.7 metres the Avensis is smaller than the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia, although its curvy shape makes you think it's a large car in its class. Happily visibility out the back is good and parking is made easier thanks to a parking camera on Business Edition and above.

Leg room, head room & passenger space

In the back is where the Avensis makes a strong case for itself compared to it rivals. In the back there is loads of legroom and three passengers can sit in comfort thanks to there being no transmission tunnel – there's a completely flat floor. Due to the rear seats backs being reclined slightly, head room is good too and there's a general feel of spaciousness.

Boot

While the Avensis does only come as a saloon (there's no hatchback version like on most rivals), boot space is adequate but not spectacular. The Mondeo and Insignia all have larger opening areas thanks to their hatchback tailgates, and with a boot capacity of 509 litres rising to a 1,320-litre maximum, the Passat saloon beats the Avensis too. There's also quite a large intrusion in the boot due to the wheelarches, but for most the space on offer will be enough. One touch controls in the boot allow the rear seats to fold down which is a handy feature, and is standard equipment.