Over the past few years, serious doubts have been cast on the future of many mid-size sedans in Europe, including the Avensis, but Toyota may not be done just yet, as these scoops suggest.
The question that arises here is whether Toyota is testing a facelift version of the current model or if this is a test mule for the next generation. The only difference we see through the camouflage is the modified front end with new headlamps.
Toyota introduced the current, third-gen Avensis in 2009 giving it a mid-cycle facelift in 2011, so the logical thing would be to expect a replacement within the next year, albeit only if the Japanese brand still wants to compete in Europe’s mid-size segment.
Automotive analyst Tim Urquhart from IHS recently told Autonews that the category is on track to having its lowest sales this decade and that he expects “Toyota to end sales of the car in 2018”.
If his prediction comes true, then Toyota may just apply one more facelift to the Avensis in 2015 to keep it relevant in the market before killing the series.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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