I've got a Toyota avensis at work with the same issue, really hard to push down and almost instant engagement when released, it not long had a full clutch, duel mass and slave a few months ago at another garage and the problem wasn't there before hand, I've checked everything on the car externally and everything is operational and in working order so the only thing I've brought it down to is a stiff pressure plate as it does bite instantly so its not a paddle? Depending how long you've owned the car and how long the problems bin there is check any history to see if its had a clutch fitted at any stage