Toyota Avalon Review

The Avalon is Toyota's largest full-size sedan, and it was built with the needs of family in mind. After being built in Japan for its first two generations, this latest Avalon was the first to be assembled entirely in North America. With a roomy interior, smooth ride, and exceptional value, the Avalon is a smart choice for anyone in search of affordable luxury, whether they've got a family or not. See also the main fact sheets for the Toyota Avalon.

High Points

• No center hump in rear = roomy rear seat
• High quality at affordable price
• Quiet Engine
• Smooth ride

Low Points

• Suspension soft on hard stops
• Plain, unexciting look
• Dashboard buttons look too alike
• Front center console slightly bulky

Gas Mileage

FuelEconomy.gov reports that the Toyota Avalon gets 22mpg in the city and 31mpg on the highway. There is only one engine and one drivetrain available for the Avalon, so there won't be much variation in these figures.

Safety

In safety tests carried out by the NHTSA, the Toyota Avalon performed very well. It received 5-star ratings for all front- and side-impact tests and 4/5 stars for rollover. This places the Avalon at the top of Autos.com's Safety category for Mid-Size Cars, tied for 1st with the Hyundai Azera, Kia Amanti, and Volkswagen Passat.

Reliability and Maintenance

Prior to the redesign in 2005, the Avalon was experiencing moderate problems with its engine, as reported by Automotive Informations Systems. With the latest generation, which only debuted last year, Consumer Reports states that first-year reliability has been average.

Styles and Options

The Avalon comes available in four trims, the XL, Touring, XLS, and Limited. All four trims are sedans equipped with the same engine, a 265hp V6, and all are 5-speed automatic front wheel drive. The differences exist in the options made available to each individual trim level. Some of the features found standard across all models are a tilt telescopic steering wheel, a multi-function information display, power locks and windows, cruise control, and dual zone automatic climate control.

The XL is the lowest level trim with the fewest of the more luxurious options. It's the only trim that features contoured fabric interior seating as opposed to leather, and it's the only trim with silver metallic interior accents. A power moonroof, color keyed rear spoiler, and in-dash 6-CD changer are all available options.

The Avalon Touring is a step up from the XL, with more standard features and some options which are unavailable on the XL. Beginning with the Touring trim level and moving up, leather interior seating becomes standard, as well as aluminum door scuff plates, integrated fog lamps, and 17" wheels. The Touring is also meant to be the "sportiest" of the Avalon trims, which frankly isn't saying much, because the family-oriented Avalon was never intended to compete in the Sports Sedan market. Nevertheless, this label gives the Touring a slightly stiffer suspension and a standard Spoiler.

The XLS is the next level up from the Touring. With this trim, a moonroof becomes standard, as well as auto-dimming rearview and outside mirrors, the in-dash 6-CD changer, and a trunk mounted cargo net. Heated front seats and the Touring's spoiler are options here.

The Limited is the top of the line Avalon. Some of its exclusive standard features include rain-sensing windshield wipers, advanced outside mirrors with puddle guards and memory, wood grain interior accents, driver's seat cushion extension, ventilated leather seating, and a 12-speaker JBL sound system. What more could a driver want from an automobile?

Main Competitors

• Mazda Mazda6
• Honda Accord
• Volkswagen Passat
• Dodge Charger
• Nissan Maxima
• Buick Lucerne
• Hyundai Sonata

External Links

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