2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　

What's new

The Toyota Avalon Hybrid has been fully redesigned for 2019Part of the fifth Avalon generation introduced for 2019

　　SUVs have been dominating the market recently to that point that Ford recently announced it was going to largely give up on making sedans. But there is one area where the traditional four-door holds an advantage: hybrid efficiency. The latest hybrid sedans are posting truly impressive fuel economy, and a great example is the fully redesigned 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid XLE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$87/mo  for Avalon Hybrid XLE

　　Avalon Hybrid XLE

　　XLE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $36,650 MSRPXSE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $39,150 MSRPLimited 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) (Most Popular) - $42,950 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　The Avalon Hybrid debuts alongside the conventionally powered Avalon and is estimated by the EPA to return up to 44 mpg in combined driving. That's almost 70 percent better than the gasoline-only Avalon, yet the Hybrid costs only about $1,000 more. With what you'll save on gas, you could very well recoup that added cost in just over a year and continue to reap the rewards thereafter. From behind the wheel, the Hybrid's power deficit isn't as much of a penalty as the numbers suggest, making it our pick in the Avalon lineup.

　　The 2019 Avalon Hybrid won't force sacrifices elsewhere either. The hybrid batteries are mounted under the rear seats, maintaining the same trunk capacity as the conventional Avalon while keeping the flat-folding rear seatbacks for greater versatility. Both offer high levels of comfort and plenty of features and blur the line between Toyota and its Lexus luxury brand.

　　If you're in the market for a large sedan, the 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid should be among your top picks whether or not you're looking for a hybrid.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　Even though sedans are being overshadowed by SUVs, Toyota's all-new 2019 Avalon Hybrid has the potential to shine. It has plenty of room, it's impressively efficient, and it has the kind of features and refinement to compete with more expensive luxury models.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our first drive of the 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid (2.5L inline-4 hybrid | CVT automatic | FWD).

　　

Driving

　　The Avalon Hybrid has more than enough power to get up to highway speeds without laboring. And as big sedans go — or big hybrid sedans, for that matter — the Avalon is respectably buttoned-down when driving around turns.

　　

Comfort

　　Both the suspension and the seats are designed with comfort in mind. Ruts and bumps are smoothed over well, and the cabin remains pleasantly quiet on the highway. The front seats are pleasantly comfortable, with little side bolstering for easy entry and exit.

　　

Interior

　　The cockpit is attractive and fitted with high-quality materials, though the blocky center stack looks a little out of place. But the sunroof that is standard on all but the base Avalon does cut into headroom.

　　

Technology

　　Apple CarPlay finally makes it into a Toyota with this Avalon. Unfortunately, Android Auto is still absent and the built-in Entune infotainment system remains as one of the least intuitive in the industry. On the upside, the Avalon Hybrid has plenty of standard driver safety aids.

　　

Which Avalon Hybrid does zzdcar recommend?

　　The 2019 Toyota Avalon in Limited trim should satisfy the typical large-sedan buyer. It forgoes the sporty touches of the XSE model in favor of more Lexus-like luxurious refinement. It's also the only trim eligible for rear parking sensors with cross-traffic braking and a surround-view camera.

　　

2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid models

　　The all-new 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid is classified as a midsize sedan by the EPA, but we consider it more of a full-size sedan. It is available in XLE, Limited and XSE trims. Power is derived from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is supported by two electric motors. The combined output of 215 horsepower is channeled through a continuously variable automatic transmission to drive the front wheels.

　　Standard features for the base XLE include 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, heated mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and power-adjustable front seats, simulated leather upholstery, 60/40-split folding rear seats and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

　　On the technology front, the XLE comes with Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Toyota's Safety Connect communications, a 9-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, Toyota's Entune infotainment system with smartphone-based navigation, four USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and an eight-speaker audio system with satellite and HD radio.

　　Also included is Toyota's Safety Sense suite of advanced safety features (forward collision warning with automatic braking, lane keeping assist, automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control) as well as a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.

　　The Limited trim adds 18-inch wheels, upgraded exterior lighting, a sunroof, a head-up display, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, driver-seat memory settings, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, wood interior trim, ambient interior lighting, a wireless charging pad, a built-in navigation system and a 14-speaker premium JBL audio system.

　　The sporty XSE trim builds on the XLE's features with 18-inch wheels, piano black exterior treatments, a rear spoiler, a sunroof, paddle shifters, aluminum pedal covers, aluminum interior trim and microsuede seat inserts.

　　Some of features on the Limited are available on the other trims as options. An Advanced Safety package with a surround-view parking camera system and rear parking sensors with automatic braking is optional on the Limited.

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2019 Avalon Hybrid Highlights

Trim: XLEXSELimitedXLE

　　

Base MSRP	$36,650
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	44 MPG
Cost to Drive	$87/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles