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Redesigned 2019 Toyota Avalon gives off luxurious vibes Featured

Posted On Saturday, 21 September 2019 23:22 Written by
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The 2019 Toyota Avalon gets a fresh, sharp-looking redesign for 2019. The 2019 Toyota Avalon gets a fresh, sharp-looking redesign for 2019. Photo courtesy of Toyota

As Americans continue to flock to SUVs, the field of competitors in the large sedan battlefield remains a small one, especially when you exclude the high-end luxury models.

One holdout in the category that is sticking around and trying to remain a segment leader is the Toyota Avalon, which I recently spent some time in.

LOOKS

The Toyota Avalon, redesigned for the 2019 model, makes a strong impression with its unique look and luxurious feel.

During my time in the Avalon, many people told me they thought it was a Lexus. 

I was not surprised to hear this, as the Avalon looks and feels like an entry-level Lexus model.


It features 19-inch black machine-finished alloy wheels, and high-end materials throughout the vehicle. The exterior is stunning and bold, with its in-your-face grille and a sharp lighting design.

You also get a dual exhaust with chrome tips, a power tilt/slide moonroof, dual zone climate control and heated steering wheel.

The Softex and Ultrasuede front seats were extremely comfortable, and are heated and ventilated with lumbar support. And being a large sedan, there was plenty of room in the back seat, so all passengers can be comfortable.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

The 2019 Toyota Avalon has ample power from a 3.5-liter, V6 engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The output is an impressive 301 horsepower and 267 lb.-ft. of torque.

The Avalon is a Front-wheel drive vehicle only, with no option to upgrade to AWD.

In my experience, the Avalon offered a smooth, balanced and quiet ride. But it can be powerful when you need to be, such as freeway merging. The handling is also quite impressive for a larger vehicle.

There are multiple drive modes: Eco, Normal and Sport, depending on your needs. With a sport-tuned adaptive suspension, the drive quality of the Avalon is on the level of a luxury sedan.

Side note: There is also a hybrid version of the Avalon available, if you’re interested in a more eco-friendly large sedan.
 
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
At the center of the technology in the Avalon is Toyota’s Entune 3.0 infotainment system, and I had an overall positive experience in this area.

Voice commands work extremely well on the navigation system, including finding Points of interest (POIs) along the route, and the audio commands were also effective with audio commands.

On the safety front, Toyota includes the extremely helpful Safety Sense P package, which features: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detect, Lane Departure Alert with Steer Assist, Auto High Beams and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. 

Also included on the Avalon are Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and an anti-theft system with engine immobilizer.

The advanced Safety Package (a $1,150 option) offers Intelligent Clearance Sonar, Bird’s Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Braking.

The audio file on the Avalon reads as follows: 14-speaker audio system, Hands-free Bluetooth connection for streaming music and phone calls, a handful of USB ports, and 3 free months of satellite radio. The Avalon is compatible with Apple CarPlay for phone mirroring, but not with Android Auto.

Wireless phone charging is also standard on the Avalon.

MPG
Official fuel mileage numbers on the 2019 Toyota Avalon are 22 city/31 highway/25 combined. I averaged 24 mpg in my time with the vehicle.Compared to other large sedans (including the Ford Taurus, Kia Cadenza, Chrysler 300 and Nissan Maxima), these numbers are best in class, another feather in the Avalon’s cap.

PRICE
The Avalon I tested was just under $45,000; and base price starts about $36K. These numbers are more pricey than the Avalon’s competitors, so the cost of the Avalon is a potential deterrent for those following a strict budget.

BOTTOM LINE
The 2019 Avalon is sticking around in the large sedan battle for good reason, as it has a lot to offer those still in the market for such vehicles. With echoes of luxury without being part of that class, it looks, feels and drives like vehicles that cost many thousands more. And that should be a recipe for success.

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AutoTechReviews.com can be found on Twitter @AutoTechReview, or stay updated at the AutoTechReviews Facebook page.

Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.



Additional Info

  • Vehicle: 2019 Toyota Avalon 
  • Price as tested: $44,913 
  • Best feature: Luxury-level looks and performance 
  • Rating: 4 out of five stars 
  • Who will want this vehicle?: Full-size sedan buyers looking for an upscale ride without heading into the luxury realm 
Matt M. Myftiu

Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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