This "Japanese" of English origin is suitable for successful, sensible and self-confident people who are not chasing newfangled or original things.

Even at the time of its appearance, the second generation Toyota Avensis did not surprise with special originality. It has a restrained design, not devoid of attractiveness. Moreover, even after seven years, this model does not look outdated. Needless to say - a self-sufficient gentleman (Avensis was produced at the Toyota plant in the UK).

Like its predecessor, the Toyota Avensis II range of modifications includes a sedan, a station wagon and a liftback. Only classic sedans were officially sold in Ukraine. A year before the end of production (in 2007), the model underwent restyling, but the changes were so insignificant that only experts can determine which version it is: for example, according to the radiator grille - in older versions, its bottom is even, according to "foglights" front bumper - they are rectangular and on the rear lights - their protective cap is completely red (all these are versions of 2003-2007).

Delicious "minced meat"

This "Japanese" is distinguished by good passive safety - according to the results of crash tests -EuroNCAP in 2003, he won the maximum 5 stars. Even in the basic version Technical - 9 (!) Airbags. By the way, the Avensis is the first model in its class to be equipped with a knee airbag for the driver.

The Avensis also attracts with its good level of equipment. So, even the basic versions look more attractive than many competitors: there is a rain and light sensor, ABS systems, exchange rate stability (VSC), traction control (TRC), immobilizer, central locking, electric windows and mirrors, multifunction steering wheel, branded radio tape recorder, dual-zone climate control, optitronic instrument panel, steering wheel adjustable in two directions, power steering.

The bodies are well protected from corrosion, and in this discipline there are no comments on the Avensis. The interior is also very high quality. It is decorated without excessive pomp and originality. At the same time, it is very cozy inside, and the ergonomics is such that after a short time it seems as if you have known this car for a long time. Soundproofing to match the top class models.

Change your oil on time!

Despite the rather diverse line of power units, only gasoline versions with a volume of 1.8 liters and 2.0 liters were officially sold in Ukraine. The first of the engines is equipped with a distributed fuel injection system, and the second is equipped with direct fuel injection (directly into the cylinders). This makes the 2.0-liter engine more rigid and louder when idling. All other modifications were brought in by "gray" dealers and are extremely rare in our country.

Powertrains of used Avensis in our operating conditions can "eat up" oil. Bad gasoline leads to carbon deposits, deterioration of oil properties and accelerated wear of the cylinder-piston group. For this reason, the minders of the company service station often had to repair the engines. Moreover, it is not possible to make a major overhaul - the cylinder blocks are made of aluminum alloys and it is impossible to grind them to fit the repair dimensions. You have to buy a new unit or a "used" motor. As operating experience has shown, in order to avoid problems, it is advisable to change the oil no more than after 10 thousand km.
Avensis units are equipped with a proprietary variable valve timing system VVT-i and an ignition system with individual coils for each of the spark plugs. These systems work reliably and without problems. The motors use expensive candles with iridium electrode tips (original spare part - UAH 240).

During operation, the fuel injection system requires periodic cleaning of the injectors, throttle valve and air mass meter. Moreover, it is better not to do this on your own, but to entrust the work to specialists. Unstable idle speed will serve as a signal. For a run of 100 thousand km, the front engine cover may lose its tightness. Around the same time, it becomes necessary to replace the attachment's multi-ribbed belt.

But the timing is not very demanding on maintenance - a durable metal chain is used. It is recommended to check the thermal clearances of the valves every 90 thousand km, although, as a rule, they have to be adjusted no more often than after 180 thousand km.

Weaknesses of the car

Listen carefully!

Avensis is a front-wheel drive car equipped with a manual gearbox or automatic gearbox, and both types of units are found in almost the same quantity. AKP "Japanese" is not the most modern - 4-speed, but at the same time is endowed with the possibility of manual gear selection - Tiptronic.

The most problem-free were the "automatic machines". But in the "mechanics" there were cases of failure of the support bearings of the shafts. The malfunction is manifested by a characteristic hum while driving. In order not to run into a copy with a "rolled" manual gearbox, it is recommended to carry out a qualified car diagnostics.

There are no comments on the hydraulically operated clutch. Maintenance of the "automatic machine" consists in regular (every 90 thousand km) oil change along with the filter, and the "mechanics" - changing the lubricant every 60 thousand km.

There are no boundaries for perfection…

Unlike its predecessor, the design of the second generation Avensis steering was improved - the steering rods are replaceable (previously, together with the steering mechanism). In general, they serve well: they can last 80-100 thousand km, and the steering tips - at least 150 thousand km. However, over time, a knock may appear in the steering, caused by wear of the crosspiece or the steering shaft mechanism.

The chassis of the Avensis is quite suitable for our roads - it is endowed with good energy consumption. Joints and hard irregularities are worked out quietly and resiliently, it also copes with larger holes and patches. The car behaves confidently at high speeds. The steering wheel is very "transparent" and allows you to feel good connection with the wheels, even in emergency situations.

Suspension - independent with anti-roll bars. McPherson is used at the front and a double wishbone design at the rear. Most often (every 40-60 thousand km) on our roads, the stabilizer bushings will have to be changed, the struts last much longer - about 100 thousand km. The rear silent blocks of the front levers are no less able to hold out, but the front and ball joints go almost 200 thousand km. In the rear suspension, the silent blocks of the upper arm are least of all (60-80 thousand km), the “rubber bands” of the lower one are more durable - they go at least 100 thousand km.

The cost of maintenance of the chassis is increased by the fact that the "rubber bands" of the front and rear levers are supplied assembled in the "original", and the silent blocks of the front levers can be purchased separately in the "non-original".

The braking system equipped with disc mechanisms (front - ventilated) is effective. Its maintenance consists in periodic (when replacing pads) lubrication of the guide calipers. Perhaps the most active drivers show brake disc deformation. There are no complaints about the reliability of the drum parking brake.

You can, but be careful ...

Toyota Avensis is an excellent choice for sensible people of middle age and older, perfect for the role of a family car. At the same time, its future owner must have a consistently high income - spare parts and maintenance of this "Japanese" are expensive. When buying a used Avensis, first of all, it is important to find out the condition of potentially problematic units: the engine (does it "eat" oil) and the gearbox (whether the bearings are in good working order).

Prices for new neorig. spare parts, UAH *
Front / rear brake. pads
Air filter
Fuel filter
Oil filter
Front / rear shock absorber
Front / rear hub bearing
Spherical bearing
Front arm silent block
Front bushing / strut stabilizer
Tie Rod
Clutch kit
* Prices may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and vehicle modification. Prices are provided by the "Trassa E99" store ** With hub

from $ 13 thousand to $ 22.5 thousand	According to the catalog "Avtobazar"
common data
Body type	sedan, liftback and station wagon
Doors / Seats
Dimensions, L / W / H, mm	4630/1760/1480 and 4700/1760/1520 (univ.)
Curb / full weight, kg
Trunk volume, l	500/870 and 475/1500 (univ.)
Tank volume, l
Engines
Petrol 4-cylinder:	1.6 L 16V (110 HP), 1.8 L 16V (129 HP), 2.0 L 16V (147 HP), 2.4 L 16V (163 HP) )
Diesel 4-cylinder:	2.0 L 16V Turbo (126 HP), 2.2 L 16V Turbo (150 HP), 2.2 L 16V Turbo (177 HP)
Transmission
type of drive
	5-st. fur., 4-st. ed.
Chassis
Front / rear brakes	disk. vent. / disk.
Suspension front / rear	independent / independent
	205/55 R16, 215/55 R17

History

1997-2003 The first generation Toyota Avensis was produced.
03.03 The second generation Avensis will debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
08.04 New 2.4 liter gasoline engine.
03.05 The installation of two 2.2-liter turbodiesel engines with a capacity of 150 and 177 liters has begun. from.
06.07 Restyling
09.08 The next, third generation Toyota Avensis is presented at the Paris Motor Show.

Owner about Toyota Avensis

I was looking for a family car for a long time. Considered Opel Vectra, VW Passat, Honda Accord and Toyota Avensis as alternatives. As a result, I opted for Avensis. This model attracted me with its rich equipment, comfortable and spacious interior, as well as the image of a manufacturer known to many motorists, producing one of the most reliable cars. During the operation, this "Japanese" did not disappoint me - there were no serious problems with him. At the same time, he pleases with a soft suspension and high comfort. From the comments, I note a considerable fuel consumption - a 2.0-liter engine with "automatic" in the city "eats" about 13 liters per 100 km. The cost of spare parts and maintenance is quite high. To save money, I go to a familiar mechanic.

Summary

Body and interior
Avensis stands out for its high passive safety and rich equipment, even for basic versions. The salon will delight you with quality workmanship, well-thought-out ergonomics and spaciousness.	The peculiarity of our market is such that it is impossible to find any other modification, except for the sedan. And the Avensis also has expensive parts and service. Over time, used copies may have problems with the front optics. The salon is made very high quality, the only typical problem is that the heated front seats may fail.
Engine and transmission
Thanks to the VVT-i system, the motors are distinguished by good elasticity. Low maintenance and gas distribution mechanism. "Automatic" Tiptronic reliable and trouble-free.	The choice of engines is small. In units, increased oil consumption is possible due to wear of the cylinder-piston group. At the same time, there is no way to perform overhaul. The need for expensive spark plugs with iridium tips and frequent cleaning of the fuel injection system. By 100 thousand km, the front engine cover loses its tightness. In the "mechanics" failure of the support bearings is possible.
Suspension, steering, brakes
The chassis is distinguished by good energy consumption, and the steering one is informative. The front suspension is durable.	On our roads, over time, the steering is broken. In the rear suspension, the "rubber bands" of the upper levers differ by a small resource. Deformation of the brake discs is possible during active driving.

Alternative

The market value of the Accord is quite high. However, it is supported by the good quality of the car and the reliability of most components and assemblies. Perfect for those who like active driving - it has good stability and dynamics. Accord is expensive to maintain. The choice of engines is small, there are only petrol versions on the market.

Compared to the Avensis and Accord, sellers ask for less for the Mazda6, while the choice of modifications is greater. Moreover, in our market it is realistic to meet not only a sedan, but also a liftback and a station wagon. At the same time, the reliability of this model is lower than the above-mentioned "Japanese". There are remarks about corrosion resistance. But driving performance is not worse than that of competitors.

Yuliy Maksimchuk
Photo by Andrey Yatsulyak

Almost all cars are front-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive, too, can not be afraid, everything is like a "rafik", but they are extremely rare. In addition, these are exclusively sedans with not too powerful engines. At the same time, the Avensis is one of the few cars that have more problems with manual transmission than with automatic transmissions.

Avensis has one interesting feature. All cars with "stock" motors rarely break down the drives. Sometimes CV joints fail, occasionally cuts off the splines of the drives. But so that the "stick" of the drive itself breaks in half - this happens only with Toyota. The reason lies in the corrosion of the part under the load pad. Corrosion wears away an already lightweight shaft, and when driving through irregularities with traction or slipping, this shaft breaks. Fortunately, contract parts with Toyota Wish in the back of the ZNE10G will help out. Fielder 123 will also work: it's inexpensive, and the condition of the part is usually excellent. It is worth buying the original one only new, all "used" ones are more or less affected by corrosion. The same details will come in handy in case of failure of the original CV joints, which are also quite flimsy here.

As I said, there are enough problems with the manual transmission. Basically, the bearing of the secondary shaft is supplied with the number 90903-63010, more precisely, its "ancestor" 90080-36139. But there are also difficulties with oil leaks through the shaft seals. Unfortunately, if you do not go to the service at the first suspicious noises, there will be nothing to repair: the remnants of a dead bearing will sail around the box, knocking out the rest of the bearings, gears and, finally, the differential. From which machines the boxes are suitable, you can guess if you read the paragraph about drives and CV joints. The original ones with Avensis are again quite scarce.

In principle, the price of repairs will not be too high anyway. That contract boxes, that small repairs are inexpensive, in the range of 15-40 thousand rubles with work. But this is already a bit too much of a problem for a reliable brand, isn't it?

If you don't want difficulties, then you can take a car with automatic transmission. With a little care, there will be no problems, especially since the oil is changed quite often according to the regulations, the boxes have a good cooling system and conservative settings. U341E mainly works with 1.8 liter engines, and a stronger U140 / U241E is used with two liter engines. But engines with a volume of 2.4 liters rely on a five-speed automatic transmission of the U151E series.

All automatic transmissions are considered almost eternal. In any case, they are more reliable than motors and, with normal maintenance, will go far beyond 300 thousand kilometers. They have little wear out of the blocking linings of the gas turbine engine, they have good and strong mechanics. But, unfortunately, everything can be broken.

Four-stage U140 / U241 - the boxes are strong, withstand motors up to three liters of working volume. Two-liter is not a problem for them at all. But the front planetary gear set, due to the peculiarities of the lubrication system, always fails before the rest of the elements, especially if the driver did not spare the box and the engine.

From purely resource problems, you can find wear on the rear cover, which also depends on loads and driving style, but also does not forgive contaminated oil. After the rear cover is worn out, a pressure leak finishes off the direct clutch pack and its drum seat. And, of course, boxes operated with dirty oil usually fail the oil pump bushing or the oil pump itself.

More often, the "first bell" manifests itself in the form of failures in the valve body. Its problems are directly related to the wear of the gearbox mechanics and oil contamination. Usually the main problem is fouling and erosion of the solenoid channels. For their repair, there are restoration kits from Sonnax, but most often they just select "used" valve bodies: there are still enough parts, and repair requires a high level of production culture, as a result of which not all workshops can do it.

The U341E boxes are the same miniature U140s. They have exactly the same difficulties with overloading the front planetary gear and with the rear cover. But the valve body is somewhat more reliable and less hassle. Their resource is definitely not less than that of the older brother, so you can safely take it. Just check the purity of the oil and listen at low speeds if there is a "trolleybus" sound in the first or second gears.

The five-speed U151E is designed for more aggressive driving. In many ways, it is similar to four-speed gearboxes, but with its own characteristics.

The blocking pads for the gas turbine engine wear out quickly enough here, especially with an aggressive driving style. Already after 150 thousand mileage, it is necessary to very carefully monitor the oil contamination in order to prevent their "operation" to the adhesive layer.

The Forward clutch package is significantly overloaded and very sensitive to pressure losses. And they happen for the same reasons as in the four-stage counterparts: mainly due to the wear of the rear cover and the seals of the forward package drum.

Photo: Toyota Avensis "2003-08

Destruction of the cover needle bearing is much more common. But planetary gears are loaded more evenly, and problems with them happen less often.

The valve body was also found to be more sensitive to dirt and more expensive to rebuild than four-speed transmissions. The box requires more careful maintenance, but better withstands the increased loads from the "riders".

It is much more expensive to repair. But the maximum resource of the mechanism is still high, just the conditions for achieving it are noticeably stricter. Change the oil more often, preferably every 30 thousand kilometers, and keep it clean. A large external radiator and an external box filter would also be useful here, as on other five-speed Aisin boxes.

Motors

Toyota engines are considered among the most reliable. True, a lot of tales are associated with the 1ZZ series motors, as well as with the D4 direct injection. And not all of these stories are lies. To the company's credit, it must be said that in any case the layout solutions and workmanship are very high, and other brands have a lot to learn. But there is no legendary reliability here. Moreover, catalysts, exhaust, supports, cooling systems and even wiring are already entering the time of withering, complicating and shortening the life of motors.

The most common Avensis engine is the 1.8-liter 1ZZ-FE series. A lot of swear words have been said about him. Now it is obvious that the real problems of the engine are an unsuccessful piston group until 2005, a small resource of the timing chain, the lack of repair dimensions and the absence of full valve seats in the cylinder head.

Timing chain 2AZ-FE 2.4

price for original

5 188 rubles

Also, the lightweight cylinder block turned out to be very sensitive to overheating, which even caused serious condemnation of the Open-Deck designs in general among Toyota drivers.

The situation is significantly improved by a reliable control system, inexpensive spare parts and its prevalence. In addition, there are cast-iron sleeves, which are damaged only during prolonged work with fixed rings. In extreme cases, the sleeve is cut out and the motor sleeve is re-inserted. True, the fragile structure of the block makes this operation quite difficult.

Having bought a killed unit, you will find out that there are no repair dimensions, and if there are cracks on the valves and their seats are "killed", then you will be offered to immediately change the cylinder head: there are no classic cast-iron seats.

In the photo: Toyota Avensis Sedan "2003–06

The valve seals are weak, and the increased cylinder head temperature reduces their service life to four to five years.

But the chain is relatively inexpensive and easy to replace - only slightly more expensive than replacing the belt.

Oil pump

price for original

RUB 3,061

The main complaint about the motor is its tendency to oily appetite. And in general, he is not as reliable as expected of him (this is sarcasm). But as they say, these are your expectations and your problems. For many owners, these motors drove 250-350 thousand kilometers without overhaul, which means that the potential of the motor is not bad. With a new or modified piston group (some owners simply drill holes to drain oil from the oil scraper ring or change it to a wider typesetting ring), after careful assembly and with a catalyst replaced in time, the engine can go a couple of hundred thousand kilometers. But to do this, you will have to service it on time and prevent the oil in the crankcase from overheating by installing "protections" and prolonged idling with the air conditioner on. As a last resort, you can buy a contract unit very cheaply. Almost at the price of metal.

Photo: Toyota Avensis Wagon "2003–06

On the Avensis T250, you can find copies of the engine with pistons of the "problem" series 13101-22031 with a moderate oil appetite, which, with the slightest overheating or an unsuccessful choice of oil, tends to develop into a serious one. It is strongly recommended to "upgrade" to 13101-22032 or, if possible, even 13101-22140 / 13101-22142 / 13101-22180. Cars up to the 2006 model year are at risk. But it is also not worth counting on the complete absence of problems with more recent engines: the problem was complex, and the manufacturer tried to solve it until the end of the production of this series of engines in 2013.

In the photo: Toyota Avensis Wagon "2006-08

"Small-sized" versions of this 1.6-liter 3ZZ-FE series engine inherit mainly the positive qualities of the 1.8 liter engine. The oil appetite is much less pronounced and manifests itself mainly after runs for 250 thousand, the cylinder head works more reliably, and even the chain runs longer. But there are cars with this engine extremely rare and in very simple configurations.

The two-liter 1AZ-FE engine is traditionally considered more reliable than the 1.8-liter. And therefore, many willingly overpay for a more powerful modification. However, here it was not without a few "buts".

European cars relied on a motor not only with conventional distributed injection, but also with 1AZ-FSE direct injection. Its fuel equipment is distinguished by a noticeably higher price, increased complexity in diagnostics and frankly poor starting qualities in winter. In addition, these engines, when operating in the mode of short trips and in winter, noticeably increase the cylinder output in the upper part due to the ingress of a large amount of gasoline.

Radiator

price for original

31 926 rubles

Early series of motors, up to the restyling of 2006, are very prone to "pulling" the thread of the cylinder head bolts from the block, and therefore the craftsmen are extremely reluctant to take on their repair. And if the antifreeze has already flowed, and the motor has managed to overheat, then the unit will most likely have to be replaced.

In principle, engines of this series do not have unsolvable problems, especially if the injection is conventional distributed, and if desired, even the cylinder block can be repaired, but when buying, you need to know about these features. In addition, the engines have two catalysts and four lambdas, they are characterized by a tendency to increased carbon formation in the intake manifold. And FSE versions suffer from very serious carbon deposits on the valves. The repair dimensions of the piston group are also missing. In short, the 1AZ engines after 2006 are really quite "Toyota" in terms of reliability, but only with conventional injection. Otherwise, you need to be prepared for surprises.

The undoubted advantages include a good resource of the piston group.

Motors of the 2AZ-FE and 2AZ-FSE series repeat 1AZ, but there are no problems with the thread of the cylinder block, but balance shafts have been added. The piston group resource is still slightly higher on average, and in general this is the most reliable FE version engine on the Avensis. But he is also the rarest.

In the photo: Toyota Avensis Sedan "2006-08

Diesel engines are rare, but there are a lot of problems with them. This is clearly not Toyota's strong point. Leave them to European users.

Summary

I think now it's clear why the Avensis is not as popular as the Camry. The brand pulls the price up, but there is no real reliability and legendary "indestructibility" here. And the difference in price with the larger Camry in the new cars was practically absent. But the larger car was equipped with much more interesting power units and was generally more reliable ...

Good afternoon. In today's post, I will tell you about the weaknesses of the 2003-2008 Toyota Avensis. The article will be useful to everyone who evaluates the feasibility of purchasing this car. We will agree on the shore - the article was written by a reseller, so you will not find layouts at the price of ownership, but what it costs and what to watch when buying is told quite objectively.

Car enthusiasts are used to thinking that there is nothing in the world. On the one hand, cars from the Japanese company really top many reliability ratings and fail much less often than most of their classmates, but in reality it turns out that the operation of the "Japanese" cannot be called completely problem-free. There are also plenty of weak points or features in the design of Toyota cars. And a clear example of this is the second generation Toyota Avensis, which debuted in 2003 and is still in steady demand in the used car market.

Body and interior.

There are no complaints about the body of the Japanese car, but there are some for its front optics. Not only do Avensis headlights often fog up, but also the reflector mirror in them crumbles after 2-3 years of car operation. As a result, the headlights no longer properly illuminate the road. In addition, after 7-9 years of operation on a Toyota Avensis, the headlight washer motor usually fails. It is for this reason, during disassembly, it is extremely rare to find live headlights, and what the Chinese offer is suitable only for appearance when selling. shines pretty bad.

The salon of the second generation Toyota Avensis does not begin to creak even with age, however, there are enough claims to it even without it. So, for example, after 100 thousand kilometers, the driver's seat in a Japanese car begins to push through, and clearly visible scuffs appear on its upholstery. Towards the same mileage, many Avensis owners begin to complain about problems with the correct distribution of air flows when the air conditioner is operating. This happens due to a failure of the damper drive. In addition, you should be prepared for the fact that the heater motor will refuse to work at all. The reason for this is the worn out motor brushes.

A little later, Avensis begins to upset with more serious problems. After 150-200 thousand kilometers on a Japanese car, the air conditioning compressor may fail. And that's not all. Failure of resistors in electrical circuits, although you can call it a serious problem, you still have to spend time and money on fixing this malfunction.

Engines and their disadvantages.

The most popular engine installed on the second generation Toyota Avensis is the 1.8-liter petrol four (129 horsepower). And to call it reliable and unpretentious will not work even with a stretch. Due to a constructive miscalculation, the power units that were assembled before 2005 are. On some cars, oil consumption reached one liter per thousand kilometers, which exceeds all reasonable limits.

Over time, the Japanese improved the design of the oil scraper rings and pistons, which solved the problem. However, other problems remained. The main one is the seizure of the connecting rod bearings, which appear after 80-90 thousand kilometers. In addition, the owners of the second generation Toyota Avensis should be prepared for the characteristic diesel engine, which may appear after a run of 70-100 thousand kilometers. It occurs on an unheated engine and indicates the need to replace the drive belt tensioner of the ancillary units.

The two-liter gasoline unit (147 horsepower), although demanding on the quality of fuel, looks a little better in terms of reliability than the 1.8-liter engine. The biggest problem with the two-liter Avensis engine is pulling and stripping the threads of the cylinder head bolts. In fairness, it should be said that this problem has not received mass distribution, but the fact remains. So, owners of Avensis with a two-liter engine can buy a used car and after some time shell out for very expensive repairs.

The 2.4 liter engine (163 horsepower) under the hood of the Toyota Avensis is not very common. And the more offensive. Indeed, in terms of reliability, this particular power unit seems to be optimal. Only after 150-200 thousand kilometers does it begin to eat up oil. Its consumption, however, rarely exceeds a couple of liters per ten thousand kilometers.

Diesels.

Diesel engines were also installed on the second generation Toyota Avensis, but cars with them are extremely rare in our market. And there is no point in buying them, since modern diesel power units are extremely sensitive to fuel quality, and after 150-200 thousand kilometers they will surely upset with problems with the EGR valve. The disadvantages of Avensis diesel engines include the fact that most non-core mechanics are practically not familiar with them.

Weaknesses in the transmission.

Gearboxes installed on a Japanese car also cannot boast of high reliability. for example, it may start buzzing after 60-100 thousand kilometers. This is due to the bearings of the primary and secondary shaft. And worst of all, it is impossible to delay with the repair, because in the worst case, the delay can result in the box jamming. After 100-150 thousand kilometers, owners of Avensis with a manual gearbox begin to notice that increased effort is required to shift gears. After another 50 thousand kilometers, it is time to replace the clutch. Against this background, gear shifting looks much more preferable. It does not cause any particular problems.

Suspension weak points.

In the suspension of a Japanese car, the struts and bushings of the front stabilizer are the first to surrender. They can withstand no more than 20-40 thousand kilometers. Rear stabilizer struts and bushings are about twice as long. The rest of the "consumables" are even more reliable. Hub bearings on the "second" Avensis can withstand at least 150-200 thousand kilometers. Suspension arms with shock absorbers have about the same resource.

Steering.

In the steering of a Japanese car, the weak point is the electric amplifier, which was installed on the version with a 1.8-liter engine. Already after 30-50 thousand kilometers, when turning the steering wheel, the owners of this version of Avensis can hear clicks or plastic crackling, which indicates a backlash in the worm pair. As for the steering tips, they, as a rule, can withstand at least 100-120 thousand kilometers.

Conclusion.

It seems that the second generation Avensis was not designed by Toyota engineers at all, but someone else. There are even too many weak points in the design of the Japanese sedan. The only good news is that Toyota was gradually correcting the existing shortcomings. So if you buy a second generation Toyota Avensis, then it is better to opt for the freshest cars. Most of the "children's" problems on them have already been resolved.

In conclusion, I suggest you watch this video review of the second generation Avensis:

That's all for me today. If you want to supplement an article about the weaknesses of the 2003-2008 Toyota Avensis - leave comments, share your experience.

The 2nd generation Toyota Avensis family (factory index T250) appeared before the public in 2003, and in 2006 the car underwent a planned modernization that affected the exterior, interior and technical components. On the assembly line, the model lasted until 2008, after which a new generation was released.

The 2nd generation Avensis was available in three body styles, namely sedan, five-door liftback and station wagon.

The length of the D-class machine is from 4630 to 4700 mm, the height is from 1480 to 1525 mm, and the width is 1760 mm. The parameters of the wheelbase and ground clearance do not depend on the body design - 2700 mm and 150 mm, respectively. The curb weight of the "Japanese" varies from 1245 to 1305 kg.

For Toyota Avensis of the second generation, four gasoline and the same number of diesel engines were offered. The gasoline part consists of naturally aspirated "fours" with a working volume of 1.6 to 2.4 liters, which produce 110 to 163 horsepower and 150 to 230 Nm of torque.
The line of turbodiesels includes four-cylinder engines with a volume of 2.0-2.2 liters and a potential of 114-174 "horses", generating 250-400 Nm of maximum torque.
In tandem to the units were 5-speed "mechanics", 5- or 6-band "automatic", but the drive was only front.

At the heart of the "second" Avensis is the front-wheel drive platform Toyota MC, which implies the presence of McPherson shock absorbers on the front axle and a multi-link design with a steering effect on the rear axle. The steering gear of the car is equipped with an electric amplifier, and all wheels are equipped with brakes with discs (ventilated in front) and an anti-lock system.

The advantages of the 2nd generation "Avensis" include a solid appearance, a spacious and high-quality interior, comfortable suspension, stable behavior on the road, good equipment, inexpensive maintenance and availability of spare parts.

The disadvantages of the car are weak head light (standard), modest ground clearance, mediocre dynamics and imperfect sound insulation.

(first generation);

Toyota Avensis T250
Specifications:
body	Four-door sedan
Number of doors	4
number of seats	5
length	4640 mm
width	1760 mm
height	1480 mm
wheelbase	2700 mm
front track	1520 mm
back track	1520 mm
ground clearance	155 mm
trunk volume	520 l
engine location	front transverse
engine's type	4-cylinder, petrol, injection, four-stroke
engine capacity	1998 cm 3
Power	147/5700 hp at rpm
Torque	196/4000 N * m at rpm
Valves per cylinder	4
KP	five-speed mechanical
Front suspension	on McPherson racks
Rear suspension	double wishbone
Shock absorbers	hydraulic, double-acting
Front brakes	disc, ventilated
Rear brakes	disk
Fuel consumption	8.1 l / 100 km
maximum speed	210 km / h
years of production	2002-2009
type of drive	front
Curb weight	1315 kg
acceleration 0-100 km / h	9.4 sec

At the end of 2002, the premiere of the second generation Toyota Avensis took place. Sales started in March 2003. Like many Toyota models of the time, the design was developed in a European way by ED2, as a result of which there was nothing Japanese in the exterior of the car.
Initially, 4 engines were offered: 1.6 and 1.8 of the ZZ family, 2.0 l of the D4 family (with direct fuel injection), as well as a diesel of the D-4D family of the same volume. Production was established at a factory in England. Compared to the previous generation model, a step forward has been taken in terms of safety. In 2003, the car earned 34 out of 36 cylinders in the Euroncap crash test, which was considered one of the best results at the time. Security was guarded by such systems as ABS, EBD,, VSC, TRC. Avensis was equipped with seven airbags, including the driver's knee airbag. Later, the list of available engines was replenished with diesels of the D-CAT family, as well as a 2.4 liter D4 gasoline engine. The main idea of \u200b\u200bthe D-CAT diesel was to halve harmful emissions: power and torque were the same as those of the D-4D diesels.
The secret of this environmental friendliness lay in the DPNR (Diesel Particulate NOx Reduction) system, which was a filter catalyst that reduces the emission of particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide. It is noteworthy that not a single element of the DPNR system needed to be replaced during the entire life of the car. Avensis has easily stepped into the Euro-4 environmental class. Even diesel engines of the D-4D generation were not supplied to Russia, not to mention the D-CAT.
Two bodies were offered: a sedan and a station wagon (there was also a hatchback in Europe). The choice was offered by MKP-5 or AKP-4, and later the AKP-5 was added to the list. In 2006, the model was re-styled: the bumper and radiator grille acquired similarities with the Camry elements, the headlights flashed with fashionable "lens" optics, the lights were hidden behind a common transparent glass, and LED direction indicators appeared in the bodies of larger mirrors. Minor details in the interior have changed. In 2009, the third generation of the Avensis was introduced.

Engines:
1.6 (110 HP)
1.8 (129 HP)
2.0 (147 HP)
2.4 (163 hp)
2.0 D-4D (116 HP)
2.2 D-4D (148 - 175 HP)

Subsequent generations:
Toyota Avensis T270 (third generation)