The Avensis kept its passengers safe. Its body remained stable and gave maximum protection in the side impact. Meanwhile, it lost only two points in the frontal impact. The frontal airbag system tailored itself to the driver. The Avensis also has sensors at its front corners. A knee airbag deploys for crashes above 25kph and was effective. An ‘intelligent’ belt reminder system is fitted for the driver and front passenger. The restraint chosen for the three-year-old uses ISOFIX mountings and a top tether but testers noted weaknesses in the protection that it gave. Pedestrians are poorly protected with no special effort made to reduce knee and leg injuries.
Front impact
The frontal airbags inflate in two stages to increase pressure in severe accidents. The driver’s airbag deploys according to weight, increasing force for heavier people. Chest, head and neck protection for those in the front was good. There has been much effort to protect the driver’s knees and legs and a knee airbag worked well. The driver’s footwell is padded around his feet and it suffered little impact intrusion. The centre rear seat has a three-point belt, which is much safer than a lap-only belt.
Side impact
An impressive side-impact protection system includes a thorax side airbag and a head curtain for those in the front and rear. The Avensis gained full marks in this part of the tests.
Child occupant
Permanent labels that warn of the dangers of fitting a rear-facing child seat opposite an airbag are good. All three rear belts could be locked to improve their hold on restraints. The three-year-old’s seat faced forward and used ISOFIX mountings and a top tether; it protected his head in the forward impact but not in the side impact. The child also risked chest injury in the frontal impact. The younger child faced rearwards. His head was well protected but he risked chest and neck injury.
Pedestrian
The bumper and bonnet leading edge gave no protection. However, the lower central bonnet showed some softness, helping to protect where children’s heads might hit.
