Powering the hybrid Avalon is a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, tied together via a continuously variable automatic transmission. According to manufacturer specifications, the trunk holds 16.1 cubic feet of stuff, comparable to the 16.3 cubic feet in a 300 and more than the 14.3 in a Maxima or the 15.5 in a Honda Clarity.Ģ021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid | photo by Aaron Bragman Efficient, But Not as Expected It’s also nice that the Avalon’s materials quality doesn’t drop off in back, where you’ll find the same lovely quilted leather on the seats and doors as you get up front, plus power outlets and heated seats.Ĭargo room is plentiful, and thanks to the hybrid’s new lithium-ion battery, there’s no loss of cargo space to accommodate a power pack. That said, the Avalon’s is better than the backseat in the latest Nissan Maxima, which is a little short on both headroom and legroom. Headroom, however, is a little tight in the rear thanks to the Avalon’s sloping roofline, which isn’t as formally upright as competitors like the Chrysler 300. There’s space aplenty inside, with big, comfortable seats up front and copious legroom in the back - enough that your knees almost certainly won’t touch the front seatbacks. At least it’s mounted high, allowing for good visibility. The Avalon’s multimedia system is still a downside, with primitive-looking graphics and tiny buttons the size of a Tic Tac. It approaches the levels seen in the automaker’s Lexus luxury division, raising the question: Should I just upgrade to a Lexus ES (which shares many of its guts with the Avalon)?Ģ021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid | photo by Aaron Bragman There’s a lot more style and artistry in the Avalon’s interior than you’ll find in Toyota’s more mainstream offerings. The Avalon I drove had saddle-brown leather upholstery that looked and felt excellent, complementing the sweeping design in an interesting way. Toyota’s latest interior redesign created something modern, stylish and more upscale in its materials than you’ll find in the smaller but related Camry sedan. We wish there were a different look for the front end, but at least you don’t have to think about it when you’re sitting in the car.Īnd inside the Avalon really is the best place to be. Sequential LEDs invoke the premium vibes we’ve seen in the latest Audi models, and the big multispoke wheels look classy and rich. It’s a shame, really, as the rest of the design is more traditionally sleek, with smooth sides leading to a genuinely interesting approach to the taillights and rear bumper. The hybrid model’s big, gaping black grille has a slightly different look, but it still seems unfinished. Toyota started going fishy-faced a few years ago, and while you’d think we’d all be used to it by now, it’s still a jarring look on the front of the latest Avalon. As the country marches increasingly toward SUV nirvana, I found there’s still lots to love about a big traditional sedan - especially one that’s a fuel-sipper.Ģ021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid | photo by Aaron Bragman Still Controversial-Looking I drove a hybrid version, and its combination of comfort, high-quality materials and top-notch efficiency remains an attractive package for a select group of buyers. For 2021, the Avalon is available in either conventional gasoline or gas-electric hybrid forms. The Toyota Avalon is one of the handful that remain, and it hasn’t just soldiered on it’s gotten plenty of love from the brand in terms of updates to its styling, powertrain, technology and more. Related: 2021 Toyota Avalon Adds All-Wheel Drive, Android Auto, Nightshade Edition Gone are the Buick Park Avenue, the Chevrolet Caprice and Impala, the Ford Taurus, the Hyundai Azera … the list goes on. The only automotive segment that is perhaps more endangered than the mid-size family sedan is the full-size family sedan there just aren’t as many as there used to be, as automaker after automaker switches to SUVs instead (a response to the market, of course). And the only one that comes close to matching the Avalon Hybrid’s fuel efficiency is the hard-to-find Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. The aging Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger are competitive with the Avalon when it comes to space and amenities, while the Nissan Maxima is much more fun to drive but not as spacious inside. Versus the competition: There aren’t many big sedans out there period, and most of the ones left come from luxury brands. The verdict: If you still enjoy big, comfortable family sedans, there aren’t many left that can match the Avalon Hybrid’s spacious interior, comfortable accommodations and excellent gas mileage.
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