DESPITE WEARING A household name and a heavyweight badge, the Avensis has never been a leading light of its class. It may have proved as solid as the Japanese work ethic, but even at its 2008 launch the car was overshadowed by other mainstream models that did a better job of combining workhorse-like servitude with at least a smidgen of style. The patent lack of character that has become systemic to Toyota's line-up has not gone unnoticed. Earlier this year the manufacturer revealed a management shake-up that handed far greater developmental autonomy to its regional divisions. Consequently, the Avensis's mid-life update has been overseen by the firm's European design and development headquarters in France, and not the engineers in Toyota City.
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