At the top of the range, Excel grade adopts Toyota Touch 2 with Go Plus, adding more sophisticated navigation functions and access to additional connected services. The specification also embraces a 10-speaker audio system, full leather seat upholstery, electrically adjustable front seats with heaters and adaptive headlights that adjust automatically to improve illumination through bends and turns. The Excel Touring Sports gains a panoramic roof.

Customers can choose from 10 colours, with the metallic options including new Havana Brown and Orion Blue shades.

New Avensis’s engine range is fully compliant with Euro 6 emissions standards, featuring two new generation D-4D diesels. The 110bhp 1.6-litre and 141bhp 2.0-litre units are both teamed with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The 1.6-litre musters 270Nm of torque from 1,750 to 2,250rpm and delivers from 108g/km CO2 with a claimed 68.9mpg average fuel consumption. The 2.0 D-4D is more performance-oriented boasting a 0-62mph acceleration in 9.5 seconds and a 124mph top speed. Benchmark figures for the 2.0-litre saloon are from 119g/km and 62.8mpg.

The range is completed by Toyota’s 145bhp 1.8-litre Valvematic petrol engine, offered with the choice of six-speed manual transmission or automatic CVT. Pending homologation, CO2 emissions are expected to be from 138g/km with 47.4mpg.