Vehicle fleet managers have responded strongly to Toyota Australia’s offer of a free two-day test-drive of its new Avalon.

A larger than expected number of managers of medium and large business fleets have taken advantage of the chance to put the Avalon through its paces.

Toyota has made 130 Avalons available for evaluation by fleet buyers, including all four equipment grades from the entry-level Conquest to the luxury Grande.

Toyota’s manager of national fleet sales, Ron Campbell, said the response confirmed Avalon as a real competitor to the other big six sedans that have traditionally dominated the fleet market.

He considers that in order for fleet managers to make an informed decision to buy, they must be given the opportunity to actually drive the Avalon.

Fleet managers who have taken part in the Avalon test drive program have supported this view. They have described the car as spacious and comfortable, with smooth ride and responsive handling.

Avalon’s first major vote of confidence came from Avis, which ordered 500 for its rental fleet, even before the car was released in July. The company has subsequently ordered another large batch of Avalons to be delivered from October onwards.

All Avalons feature four-wheel independent suspension, power-assisted rack and pinion steering, four wheel disc brakes, all-alloy quad-cam V6 engine, and electronically controlled four speed overdrive automatic transmission.

Safety equipment on all models includes dual SRS airbags and pretensioning front seatbelts with force limiters.

Other features include power windows, power mirrors, power antenna, remote central locking, engine immobiliser, audio with integrated telephone mute, and a programmable eight-function trip computer.