Ignorance can be bliss.

When we know nothing about something, it’s best to not have prejudices about that something. Unfortunately, many commentators do just that, and I am not an exception.

When I first heard I was to test the 2009 model Toyota Avensis, I was less than enthused.

My reticence was based on the two previous ‘Avensi’ models seen here - neither of which were especially inspirational.

The first was the Avensis Verso, a Japan-built MPV which shares its name only with the later Avensis wagons, and the second the preceding Avensis wagon, which landed here with a 1.8-litre GL model and a 2-litre GX with manual or automatic transmissions.

This fleet-friendly Avensis wagon struggled to find favour with the local market, for all that it lived up to the Toyota tenets of dependability and reliability.

Then, along came Jones – or more accurately - the Avensis for 2009.

With its smart lines, smart features, stunningly good performance and blessed with new Toyota technology – enter a wagon which is perfectly capable of blowing your mind.

About all this car has in common with that which has gone before is the nameplate and a 2-litre petrol engine.

But the 2-litre engine is nothing like the one before. Toyota has incorporated what it calls an Optimal Drive system, designed to reduce fuel consumption, lower the CO2 emissions and yet deliver performance levels that will leave you with the biggest grin on your face.

Key to the engine’s performance - 112kW of power at 6200rpm and 196Nm of torque at 4000rpm – is Valvematic, an extension of the Variable Valve Timing Intelligent (VVT-i) system found in other Toyotas.

VVT-i adjusts the timing of the inlet and exhaust valves while Valvematic varies the lift of the inlet valve to control the speed and volume of air going into the engine. This improves combustion efficiency and therefore lowers fuel consumption.

Toyota claims a 15 per cent improvement in lowered consumption for the manual six-speed model and 26 per cent for the 7-speed CVT, while at the same time increasing power by four per cent, compared to the engine used in the previous generation Avensis.

I drove the 7-speeder and achieved 6.8 litres per 100km, which is closer to the quoted figure for the six speed manual (6.9 litres). The CVT should return around 7 litres per 100km according to Toyota’s obviously conservative figures.

That CVT is another new development from Toyota. Technically referred to as Multidrive S, this continuously variable transmission performs as a seamless shifter should, right to the point of the driver wanting to have a little fun, that is.

When given more throttle, the CVT’s shifting reverts to a conventional seven speed automatic, eliminating the ‘whine’ traditionally associated with CVTs.

Add to that a Sports mode and paddle shifters and the cargo hauler suddenly becomes a super cruiser. Don’t feel bad about it either – the six-speed manual version puts out 164 grams of CO2 per kilometer and the 7-speeder, just one gram more.

And while the engine tech is pretty impressive, the safety features aboard the Avensis are typically Toyota comprehensive.

No less than nine airbags – including the driver’s knee airbag which serves to hold the driver in the optimal safety position – anti locking brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and Vehicle Stability Control Plus (Toyota’s equivalent of an electronic stability program) are all standard items on the 2009 Avensis.

When you add to that cruise control, dual zone climate air conditioning, a WMA/MP3 compatible stereo; rain-sensing windscreen wipers; multifunction trip computer, audio controls on the steering wheel; a rear fog light and automatic glare resistant electrochromic inside rear view mirror, you’ll likely agree that Avensis ticks all the "yes, I want that" boxes.

Space is another improved area. The 2009 Avensis is longer and wider than its precursor and you have 543 litres of boot space conventionally or 1609 litres with the rear seats folded. Another interesting innovation is the sliding stopper rails in the cargo floor area to keep the cargo load divided if required. Cool.

This car is for people who care about driving, those who take delight in superb handling and whose arm hairs stand on end with the thrill of a tightening corner and a suspension setup well equipped to deal with it.

It is too easy to overlook the Avensis wagon for what it truly is, a dynamic, spirited machine equipped with all that has put Toyota at the top of its game.