IT'S sleek, stylish and practical and yes, it is an estate and it is British built. 

Car builders cannot afford to let the grass grow under their feet as technology races ahead at ever-increasing pace and the fourth generation of the Avensis proves that point.

Thanks to weight and fuel saving technologies, large and previously expensive to run cars are ever more economical - and so is the Avensis, which is also attractively priced with an extensive standard list of kit.

It's nice to see that technology being put to good use with car that is bult in Britain.

Always a reliable and capable family and business user friendly car, the latest model has a leaner, sleeker look, looking more like an extended coupe than an estate car.

Design modifications include wider upper grille, with deeper blades that sits above a lower bumper section that is more sculpted, with a protruding centre section that houses a large air intake.

Foglamp housings are integrated into the far corners of the bumper and new headlamps are narrower and are fitted with daytime running lights - with LEDs on T Spirit models.

The interior has also improved on previous models with high-quality fixtures and fittings with soft touch finish. Other touches include a change in the instrument dial backlighting from amber to white and a switch from polyurethane to a leather covering for the rear console box lid.

The whole cabin is roomy and airy, particularly with panoramic roof fitted to the range-topping model, although the black trim finish can make the interior seem gloomy.

The revised two-litre diesel engine now delivers greater efficiency, delivering aclaimed 60-plus mpg while pumping out CO2 emissions of just 119g/km, which reduces road tax to £30 a year,  while business users will pay 18 per cent in benefit in kind taxation.

Improvements to the suspension and a more rigid body means the car handles much better than its predecessor and for such a long vehicle feels well planted when cornering.

The ride is also comfortable as you would expect from a large family vehicle and it a pleasant place to be when cruising on the motorway. Driver and occupants are well insulated from engine, tyre and wind noise, with the diesel vaguely audible in the background.

As an estate you would expect the vehicle to be highly practical and the Avensis ticks most of the boxes. Boot space is clever with a split level that offers 543 litres of space and when the split folding rear seats are down, this increases to 1,609 litres.

In addition there are various cubby holes, document pockets and drink holder throughout the rest of the cabin.

Comfort and safety equipment is comprehensive with all the safety braking and stability aids you would expect together with numerous airbags.

The core model features dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and 17-inch alloy wheels, together with all the electronic aids and toys, while satellite navigation is standard.

Toyota says the 2.0 D-4D cuts the cost-of-ownership bill by £2,000 compared to the previous model thanks to the improved residual values, fuel economy, CO2 emissions and service, maintenance and repair costs.

It is a comfortable roomy and versatile car that is now almost as cheap to run as a supermini.