Toyota’s response to the large sedans produced by Chevrolet, Dodge, and Ford, is the Avalon. This full-size sedan supplies the supple ride familiar to conventional sedans and equals that with premium elements, excellent dependability, and segment-leading safety ratings.
The 2017 Avalon comes in five grades: XLE, XLE Plus, XLE Premium, Touring, and Limited. Front-wheel drive and a V6 engine are standard. Marketed independently is a Toyota Avalon Hybrid.
One year separated from a substantial update, the alterations to the 2017 Avalon are minimal. The most significant change has the Toyota Safety Sense P package included with each grade. TSS-P comprises such aspects as automatic high beam, adaptive cruise control, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and lane departure alert with steering assist.
Exterior Highlights
The 2017 Avalon extends a bold front face displaying a slender upper grille and a gaping maw lower grille. Halogen headlights and LED daytime running lights are standard; LED or high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights are obtainable.
An expanding beltline and cascading roofline are not unlike what you’d see in particular luxury models. Distinct body sculpting, beautiful character lines, and chrome or painted 17- or 18-inch wheels are offered. Viewed from the rear, the Avalon showcases an elevated deck, streamlined wraparound tail lights, and dual chrome-tipped exhaust pipes with chrome-accented covers.
The list of available paraphernalia includes a power tilt-and-slide moonroof with a gliding shade, chrome grille framing, and manual folding color-matched side mirrors with turn signal indicators and puddle lamps.
Interior Highlights
The capacious and very relaxing Toyota Avalon holds five people. The interior supplies a prime level of high-end materials along with superior fit and finish. Though not matching the lavishness of the similar Lexus ES 350, the Avalon’s cabin matches or exceeds the Chrysler 300, Hyundai Azera, and the Buick LaCrosse.
Up front, the seats are lush and bolstered; the rear bench seat is spacious with excellent head, shoulder, hip, and leg room. Notably, the rear seat contains a center armrest with a pair of cup holders along with a pass-through to the trunk which measures 16 cubic feet.
Leather seats come standard and woodgrain trim is optional. A generous list of standard equipment includes keyless entry with a push-button start, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, two-zone climate control, heated front seats, power front seats with driver’s lumbar support, and full power accessories.
The list of available equipment includes aluminum scuff plate door sills, ambient lighting, a power trunk release, tri-zone climate control, and a power rear window sunshade.
Performance and Efficiency
All 2017 Toyota Avalon models are motivated by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that develops 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, this front-wheel-drive four-door makes an EPA-estimated 21/30/24 mpg city/highway/combined.
A sport-tuned suspension comes with the Touring grade. Paddle shifters are standard across the model range.
Technology and Safety
Among the standard technology equipment items are an eight-speaker audio system and a seven-inch touch-screen display. For navigation, Toyota supplies a Scout GPS Link App. Other features include a compact disc player, USB port, an auxiliary audio jack, satellite radio, and HD Radio.
Optionally, shoppers will find a nine-speaker audio package bundled with navigation and Toyota’s Entune App Suite. Further, an 11-speaker JBL audio system with two subwoofers and Qi wireless charging is available.
Besides the TSS-P safety system, all grades come with 10 airbags, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Brake assist and automatic brake-override technology are also included.
The 2017 Avalon is a recipient of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick+ award. This award is limited to models that excel in all areas of crash testing and offer specific sight-enhancing headlights.
Competitive Set
The shrinking choices of full-size sedans mean the Avalon has only a handful of competitors. These include the Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Azera, and Nissan Maxima. The Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 are two other models to consider.
Our Verdict
The Toyota Avalon rides on a stretched version of the midsize Camry sedan’s platform. Therefore, its bones are solid and the upscale treatments make this model a stellar performer amongst its peers.
See Also — Swan Song for the Toyota Avalon
Photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
