The Toyota Avalon is an underrated large car with roomy seats and high-tech standard safety features. It blends comfort, quality, and remarkable fuel efficiency and ranks among the best large sedans on the market.
The Avalon is well-suited for commuting and long road trips because of its soft ride and quiet cabin. Also, its comfortable interior provides plenty of space to stretch out. Apart from being spacious, the sedan also provides a dash of performance and speed appropriate for its role as a luxurious daily driver.
Based on the Toyota Camry, the Toyota Avalon is bigger and superior to many cars in the large car segment. A V6 engine or a hybrid powertrain powers the vehicle and is available in front-wheel drive(FWD). The sedan debuted in 2012; unfortunately, Toyota said they're ending its production in 2022.
Even though the Avalon has a spacious interior, the car has flaws that some drivers might find annoying. One of the most significant issues is that the vehicle struggles to provide adequate airbags. Also, rivals like the Chevrolet Impala, Kia Cadenza, and Nissan Maxima offer better performance.
Let's find out more about the Toyota Avalon.
The Avalon Isn't A Performance Machine But Provides Steady Handling
Since its debut, the Avalon has never been a performance machine, but it's a solid interstate cruiser with a huge V6, smooth gearbox, and reliable brakes. Also, the chassis and steering feel comfortable and stable if you don't push it hard around twisting roads.
The Avalon's big V6 produces 301 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 267 lb-ft at 4,700 rpm. The engine has plenty of power for passing and merging on the highway. An 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission powers the vehicle, but sometimes the transmission can be sluggish. According to Toyota, the car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds.
Even though the brake pedal feels soft underfoot, it responds with a sure and linear force that makes it simple to come to a soothing halt without unsettling your passengers. The steering is light, but owners have praised the feedback they get when they initiate turns.
The Avalon has no issue when it's cruising in town; it feels reassuringly neutral and tidy. However, the sedan can feel a bit sporty when going through a tight on-ramp or winding mountain road. This is due to understeer and a nose-heavy sensation, giving the impression that the suspension calibration is too soft.
The Avalon is best at cruising on the highway. The transmission shifts are pretty smooth, but they can be slow when you need to respond rapidly or drop more than one gear. However, owners claim that a temporary solution to this issue is using Sport mode.
The Avalon Has A Spacious And Comfortable Interior
The Avalon has an attractive and roomy interior that provides plenty of room to stretch and move around. The majority of the primary controls and secondary switches have clear markings, and the control buttons are touch-sensitive.
The seats have a good deal of adjustment and can accommodate both seat-up and more reclined drivers. However, some taller drivers could struggle to reach the perfect driving posture because of the telescopic steering system.
This car is perfect for a long trip because of its ample front and rear space. There's plenty of leg, head and elbow room, but there's limited toe room in the rear seats when the driver adjusts the front seat to its lowest height.
For infotainment, a 9 -inch touchscreen and iToyota's Entune 3.0 system work well. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone capability is standard, and there's a wireless charging pad. Also, there's one USB port for data and four 2.1-amp power-only USBs (two in front and two in back).
The Toyota Avalon Has Some Annoying Reliability Issues
According to CarComplaints, one of Avalon's worst problems is accelerating out of control. Most owners who reported this issue claimed their Avalons got into serious accidents, some of which gravely damaged the car.
One of this issue's major culprits is the vehicle's adaptive cruise control. The Avalon's cruise control slams the brake out of the blue. This leads to the vehicle surging forward occasionally and accelerating beyond the previously set speed.
A faulty catalytic converter can also cause this issue. The catalytic converter is a component that regulates the amount of exhaust that exits the engine. When it fails, it could cause problems, not just for the engine but also for the car's acceleration.
Another issue owners complained about is the Avalon having a faulty airbag. Many owners from 'Carproblemzoo' have reported that their vehicle's airbags don't deploy when needed. Some owners got involved in crashes and sustained serious injuries because of the failure of airbags.
Additionally, a few owners experienced the airbag lights going on and off. The owners expressed concern about the airbag activating when it shouldn't, which could put their safety at risk.