Toyota launched the second generation of the Avensis in 2003 in three body versions: sedan, liftback, and station wagon.
With the second Avensis generation, Toyota entered deeply into the European mid-size car segment. The Japanese carmaker considered that a liftback version should cover the needs for both trunk space and look. Opel and Ford did the same with the Vectra and Mondeo, respectively. The French and Italian carmakers, on the other hand, didn’t bother with three shapes.

Toyota designed the Avensis in France, where the Laguna liftback was on the mid-size segment podium. But that didn’t impress too many other customers. The big headlights and the tall front fascia, even if it was curved over the hood, it didn’t impress too much. Its proportions were well but more bland than bold. Moreover, the car’s back was often criticized due to its thick C-pillar, which damaged the rear-quarter visibility.

The cabin, on the other hand, was rightly spaced. It offered enough room for five passengers. Thanks to its split-folding rear bench, the trunk could expand from 510 liters (18 cu-ft) to 1,320 (46.6 cu-ft). But still, the dashboard was not such an attractive element. It was right but bland.

Under the hood, the Avensis was available with a wide choice of engines ranging from a 1.6-liter gasoline unit up to 2.4-liter gasoline. The five-door version was available with the diesel versions from the D-4D engine family, offered in a few power options. The standard transmission was a five-speed manual, and a sequential automatic transmission was available.