Thursday, June 19, 2014
Toyota Avalon 2011 Review
We're praised the 2010 Toyota Avalon for its quiet ride, its roomy cabin and its high-quality interior, rating it at 7.8 out of 10. Woodgrain trim dominates, along with big knobs and a big LCD screen that controls the Avalon's available navigation system.The Avalon's front-wheel-drive chassis uses MacPherson struts in front and in back, and the Avalon sticks with power rack-and-pinion steering.
The Toyota Avalon can seat six, with a three-across front bench available. In back, the Avalon's seats recline for better comfort; something Toyota says is unique in the class. Toyota says the 2011 Toyota Avalon will go on sale this spring, with base and Limited editions offered. Standard features will include leather trim, power driver seat, dual-zone climate control, a moon roof, and 17-inch wheels. The Limited adds a smart-key system, ventilated front seats, and a power front passenger seat. Around the same time as Chrysler attacked the large front driver market with the LH platform, Toyota was getting into the full-size arena with the Toyota Avalon.
Toyota has given the Avalon a thorough going-over with the goal of distancing the near-Lux-barge from its mass-market cousin. The Toyota Avalon Limited adds keyless-go, HID headlamps, heated and cooled front seats and a power front passenger seat to the party. Starting at $32,445 in base trim and $35,685 for the Limited trim, our Limited trim tester came equipped with the only factory option on offer: the $1,450 navigation and up-level sound system.
Chrysler’s K cars had more convincing wood trim. If you have seen any Avalon TV commercials lately, then you know that Toyota’s biggest selling point for the "Toyota Avalon" is the rear seat. Otherwise, the rear of the Toyota Avalon is huge generous. Out on the road the Toyota Avalon yields relatively few surprises. When the road gets twisty, the front wheel drive platform and somewhat narrow rubber remind you that you are driving a premium full-size front-wheel-drive sedan, not a sports sedan by any measure. Torque steer may be limited, but so is grip with the all-season tires that are standard on both Toyota Avalon trims. The closest real competition for the Toyota Avalon can be found in the Hyundai Azera. The Toyota Avalon is the type of car that Toyota executes to perfection. New car shoppers seem to forget the Avalon exists despite the bevy of campy-TV ads Toyota has been airing over the past few months, which is a shame the Toyota Avalon might just be the best full-size sedan for sale at the moment.
Out-Buick a Buick. That’s the one phrase that comes to mind when discussing Toyota’s flagship, the Toyota Avalon. Toyota scared them well enough away. The gauges are well organized and clear, and the Toyota Avalon has one of Toyota’s more well-laid-out dashboards.
As you might expect, standard Avalon’s come with a long list of luxury items like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-adjustable heated and ventilated leather seats, keyless entry, a nine-speaker audio system, dual-zone climate control and wood-grain trim everywhere. The more expensive Limited gains a power rear sunshade, a JBL audio upgrade, and keyless ignition and ventilated front seats.
Avalon pricing starts at $32,595, while the Limited rings in at $35,835. That’s decent value compared to other big front-drivers, but the aging Hyundai Azera tops out at only $29,570.
