What Car? Q&A - Why no cruise control?

Q: Why can you not get cruise control on a Toyota Avensis unless you buy the top-of-the-range T Spirit? It's too expensive, but cruise control is essential for long motorway journeys.
Bill Ralphson

A: Toyota used to offer cruise control as an option on other models from the Avensis range bar T Spirit models but, unfortunately for you, it decided to delete the option because, Toyota says, low take-up from buyers didn't make it economically viable (so don't expect it to make a reappearance).

In general, to keep factory production lines uncomplicated, manufacturers will always limit the number of options and variations available. If the cars rolling down the line are all broadly the same, with just a few key differences, they'll be finished more quickly. That means capacity is increased, costs are brought down and operating margins improved.

They'll also limit the options or structure their availability in a bid to make you spend more. You might not want everything that the more expensive model brings, but manufacturers will be hoping that, if you've got your heart set on a particular item of equipment, you'll decide to upgrade.

You're right that the £3000 leap from an entry-level Avensis to a T Spirit is a big jump, however, and one you're not really likely to consider just to get cruise control, which usually only costs a couple of hundred pounds when it's an extra.

Most rivals of the Avensis offer the equipment as standard, including all Ford Mondeos, Peugeot 407s, Renault Lagunas or Vauxhall Vectras.

Cruise control is also found on most models in the Citroen C5, Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Nissan Primera, Saab 9-3, Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Passat ranges.

If you like Japanese reliability and appreciate the refinement of the Avensis, the Honda Accord might be the best option, but the Passat, Mondeo and Vectra also make it into our top-five family-car picks.