Toyota Avensis

2.0 D4D T Spirit Hatchback. Covered 85k miles since Jan 2004. Averages 55 mpg on motorway and 48 mpg combined driving. Comfortable driving position, slick gearchange and composed roadholding but with lot of road noise and high front tyre wear (15k) especially with original tyres.
Excellent load carrier particularly with rear seats fold flat.
Can be difficult to park as visibility front and rear is restricted.
Unexpectedly only average reliability. Both headlamp units relaced under warranty (melted) and also gas struts for hatchback. Worst of all however, engine management unit failed at 65k (just out of warranty) and was quoted £1,200 to replace (later reduced to £650 as goodwill gesture as always serviced by main dealer) Subsequently strongly advised by Toyota Service manager to take out extended breakdown warranty - and he wasn't in selling mode.

I have owned the car for 3 years and covered over 150k , it has been the most reliable car I have owned
positive points

starts first time every time
No major parts have had to be replaced
passed the MOT first time last 3 years

Negative
Uses oil at a rate of 1 ltr per 750 miles (known problem)
engine "pinks " and no one can find the cause !!

Overall , I would buy another one