Toyota Avensis Stripping Game
A budget version of Avensis is on sale. Having lost a dozen equipment positions, Toyota dropped $ 2,200 in price and became one of the best deals in the class. Let us try to find out how justified such savings are.
At one time, we complained that the basic equipment of the 1.8-liter Avensis was too rich. In principle, there is nothing bad in this – rather, on the contrary.
But in order to become the owner of Toyota, it was necessary to pay at least $ 25,900. Meanwhile, the nearest Japanese competitors were cheaper. To compare with them in price, Avensis had only one thing left – to get rid of excesses. And here we have a budget version for $ 23,700.
Outside, it can be recognized by the lack of front “fog” and headlight washer. It is quite possible to agree with this. Remember when was the last time you used “foglights” for their intended purpose? Yes, and a headlight washer – not at all mandatory. Although the “Avensis” it works correctly – separately from the glass washer.
And what has changed inside? For the whole day of stay in the scorching sun, the salon became hot to the limit. In an attempt to cool it, I stumble upon an unusually simple for Avensis microclimate control unit with a modest A / C button. Yes, it is really an ordinary conditioner. There is no separate automatic “climate”, which could take an order from me by 22 degrees, and from a photographer sitting next to it – by 17, in the budget version there is no. Of course, by the standards of the middle class it is modest. But if we agreed to count every penny, air conditioning can be limited.
While getting used to driving, I note the absence of central armrests in front and behind, as well as the display of the onboard computer – now there is a duffel box with a lid in its place. In addition, the steering wheel bagel lost its skin, and in the interior trim, instead of pseudo-wooden inserts, black plastic appeared.
Against the plastic decor – no objections. Inserts under the tree on the background of the silver center console look a little coarse. The disappearance of the massive driver’s armrest – rather a plus than a minus. Now nothing prevents the hand lever from operating the lever. We will not lament the computer either. Which of his testimonies is the most curious? That’s right, average fuel consumption. But at Avensis, the computer so godlessly lowers the expense that the clothing box in its place, in which you can store an inviolable 1000 rubles for filling the tank, looks more honest. Cheap plastic steering wheel? Relax, man. In the standard, he even the “Audi-A4” is not leather.
Everything else seems to be in place. Although not. In Avensis Light, there are also no electric folding mirrors, an auto-dimming feature for the inside mirror, a rain sensor and window airbags. Suppose the first three positions – this is really extra fat, not having driven that price can not be reset. But the savings on security already seems questionable. However, if most of our drivers do not even wear seat belts, any pillows for them are empty. Apparently, this was what the rippers marketers were counting on.
But what they thought about when they deprived the car of a folding backrest of a back sofa was not clear. Now it is screwed tightly, so no length is placed in the trunk … Sorry, gentlemen, “marketers”, but the buyer of Avensis (especially budget!) Is not a Lexus buyer, who will be brought and brought to everyone on the first call. By saving a penny, you made the car much less attractive for private use. Now it is suitable only for the role of a service personage, the trunk of which will not see anything larger than a traveling suitcase …
We decided: of course, Avensis needed to become cheaper. And most of the obvious excesses that have been removed from it justify this goal. But, before buying a budget version, think carefully about the lack of window airbags and the possibility of trunk transformation.
