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

　　The redesigned 2019 Toyota Avalon bridges the gap between the Camry and its pricier Lexus sibling, the ES 350. This latest fifth-generation model makes all of the expected improvements over its predecessor with more features, stronger performance, added refinement and more efficient engines.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Toyota Avalon XLE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) 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

　　$143/mo  for Avalon XLE

　　Avalon XLE

　　XLE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $35,650 MSRPXSE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $38,150 MSRPLimited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $41,950 MSRPTouring 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $42,350 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　An effort has also been made to give the Avalon a more sporty and up-to-date character than before. The exterior styling is sharper and the car's handling is more precise. Toyota has also equipped it with its latest infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. Of course, interior room and comfort are still key qualities for the Avalon, and this newest model certainly delivers.

　　Sales of big sedans have been dropping for a while now as more car shoppers gravitate toward SUVs. But if you're one of the sedan holdouts, you'll no doubt find the new 2019 Avalon to be one of the best in its class.

　　For more details about the 2019 Toyota Avalon, read our Avalon First Drive article.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.8 / 10

　　The redesigned 2019 Toyota Avalon bridges the gap between the Camry and its pricier Lexus sibling, the ES 350. This latest fifth-generation model makes all of the expected improvements over its predecessor with more features, stronger performance, added refinement and more efficient engines.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2019 Toyota Avalon Touring (3.5L V6 | 8-speed automatic | FWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.8 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	7.5
Utility	8.0
Technology	8.0

　　

Driving

7.5

　　With a potent 301-horsepower V6 mated to a smooth-shifting transmission, the 2019 Avalon has good power to get up and go. It is also pleasant to use in most scenarios, from long road trips and afternoon cruises to day-to-day commutes and short errands around town. Braking is consistent and never grabby, which lends to its comfort in daily use. The surprising thing about the Avalon is its athleticism — its shockingly enjoyable handling and drivability. While not a sport sedan, this cruiser can handle twisty roads with relative ease for a vehicle of its size. Think about a mobile defensive end or tackle in football as opposed to an athletic linebacker.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　Comfort is a strength for the Avalon and is probably the primary reason you'd consider such a large sedan. All seating positions give you ample cushioning and support for long drives or short cruises. The leather in our Touring trim is very soft and gives the sensation that it is more upscale than it is. The ride is cushioned and makes you feel like you're shielded from the harsh roads of the outside world. The cabin feels really cozy due to the climate control's quick heating and cooling characteristics. While there is no rattling or shaking inside the cabin, road noise is somewhat present at all times.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　The Avalon Touring's cabin is a decent place to be. It is roomy and user-friendly. There are even redundant key functions located on the steering wheel. Legroom is abundant, the driving position is superb due to its multitude and depth of adjustments, and visibility is great up front and modest to the sides and over the shoulder. As far as controls go, two minor issues: The radio tuning knob can be a reach for some and a couple of functions, such as turning on the camera view, are tucked away. While legroom is a strength, headroom can feel a little compromised for taller people — especially in the rear due to the sloping roofline. Lastly, the low-resolution rearview camera and display could use an upgrade.

　　

Utility

8.0

　　While cargo capacity is average on paper, it feels more convenient compared to some others due to its wide trunk opening, broad floor and convenient loading height. You might be disappointed if you're the type who folds the rear seats to expand the space because there's a sizable step up to the folded seats.

　　Inside, there are numerous small cubbies, plenty of cupholders, and a center console that's sizable and surprisingly deep. The door pockets are average, but there are enough other options that it's not a concern. The Avalon really shines when it comes to fitting child safety seats. The Isofix-style car seat anchors are easy to access, and the huge rear bench has space enough for just about any type of seat.

　　

Technology

8.0

　　Toyota's Entune 3.0 system and its new 9-inch touchscreen are surprisingly good. Apple CarPlay support makes things so much better, but Android Auto is still absent. The display is bright and responds well to inputs, but Toyota tends to lock out more functions while you're driving than other carmakers.

　　There's one USB port for data and four 2.1-amp power-only USBs — two up front and two in back. The front console also houses a wireless charging pad. The car's built-in voice controls are hit or miss — it's better at understanding radio commands than navigation commands. We had much more success using Siri via Apple CarPlay.

　　All Avalons come standard with a comprehensive suite of active driver safety aids that covers just about everything. The optional Advanced Safety package adds a 360-degree camera, parking clearance sensors and rear cross-traffic braking intervention.

　　

Which Avalon does zzdcar recommend?

　　In all likelihood, the 2019 Toyota Avalon in Limited trim will hit the sweet spot for the typical large sedan buyer. It straddles the line between Toyota and Lexus without the sporty features and touches of the higher-trim models. It's also eligible for rear parking sensors with cross-traffic braking and the surround-view camera that is only offered on the top Touring trim.

　　

2019 Toyota Avalon models

　　The 2019 Toyota Avalon is classified as a midsize sedan by the EPA, but you'll likely be cross-shopping it against full-size sedans. It is available in XLE, Limited, XSE and Touring trims. All of them come with a 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine (301 horsepower, 267 pound-feet of torque) that sends power to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. A hybrid model is also available and is covered in a separate review.

　　The XLE trim starts off generously with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, heated mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating, simulated leather upholstery, 60/40-split folding rear seats and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

　　Technology features include Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Toyota's Safety Connect emergency communications, a 9-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, Toyota's Entune infotainment system with smartphone-based navigation, Apple CarPlay, four USB ports, and an eight-speaker audio system with satellite and HD radio.

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

　　Stepping up to 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, aluminum pedal covers, 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 19-inch wheels, piano black exterior treatments, a sunroof, a rear spoiler, augmented engine intake noises, paddle shifters, aluminum interior trim and microsuede seat inserts.

　　The range-topping Touring trim comes complete with all of the Limited and XSE upgrades, as well as an adaptive suspension, an additional Sport-plus drive mode, a sport exhaust, augmented engine noises and active noise cancellation.

　　Some of the features on the upper trims 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 and the Touring.

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2019 Avalon Highlights

Trim: XLEXSELimitedTouringXLE

　　

Base MSRP	$35,650
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$143/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles