2021 Toyota Avalon Review

　　

2021 Toyota Avalon Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　Toyota is doubling down on its popular large sedan and offering more versions of the Avalon than ever before. For the first time in the nameplate's history, the 2021 Toyota Avalon will be available with all-wheel drive.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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) (Most Popular) - $36,125 MSRPXLE 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $36,125 MSRPXSE Nightshade 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $39,360 MSRPLimited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $42,425 MSRPLimited 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $42,425 MSRPTouring 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $42,825 MSRPTRD 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $43,125 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　There's a catch, however — the new drivetrain will not be paired to the existing V6 engine. Instead, the all-wheel-drive Avalon will borrow the 2.5-liter four-cylinder (205 horsepower, 185 lb-ft of torque) from the Camry for motivation, or roughly 100 hp and 80 lb-ft less than the V6. However, its competitors with AWD are almost exclusively powered by V6 engines, so buyers in cold climates might feel let down by its lack of oomph.

　　The arrival of all-wheel drive isn't the only change to the 2021 Avalon. In-car tech is improved with the addition of Android Auto and USB-C ports for charging and connectivity. There's also a stylish and subdued XSE Nightshade Edition featuring black-painted exterior accents. Finally, the sporty Avalon TRD gains optional summer performance tires that should provide more cornering grip. How well does it all stack up? Check out our Expert Rating for our in-depth evaluation on this year's Avalon.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Avalon drive? With a potent 301-horsepower V6 mated to a smooth-shifting transmission, the 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 Avalon is surprising in its athleticism — with 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

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Avalon? 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 upholstery is very soft and gives the sensation that the Avalon is more upscale than its price suggests.

　　The ride is cushioned and makes you feel shielded from harsh roads. The cabin is also really cozy due to the climate control's quick heating and cooling. While there is no rattling or shaking inside the cabin, road noise is somewhat present at all times.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The Avalon'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, there are 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.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Toyota's Entune system and its 9-inch touchscreen are surprisingly good. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration systems are supported. 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 are two USB ports 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.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? While cargo capacity is average on paper, the Avalon works out to be more convenient compared to some others due to the 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 car seat anchors are easy to access, and the huge rear bench has space enough for just about any type of seat.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The Avalon is rated at 25 combined mpg (22 city/31 highway), which is excellent for this class of car. It's not outstanding like the hybrid variant, but it's still really good. During our mixed-driving 115-mile evaluation route, we were able to observe 26 mpg, which slightly beat the combined EPA score.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the Avalon a good value? The Avalon offers a good deal of quality and refinement. It feels close enough to the Lexus ES in this regard that someone looking for a large sedan might want to consider the Avalon instead because it costs thousands less. Beyond the great deal, you also get high gas mileage, a good roadside assistance program, and free scheduled maintenance for the first two years.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　The Avalon is a low-key performer. The exterior, aside from the huge brace-face grille, is nondescript, while the interior delivers a composed, civil and sophisticated style. None of this is bad, but it sets you up to be surprised by its hidden athleticism. In the context of a big family sedan, it's fun to drive due to its surprising handling capabilities and strong V6 engine.

　　

Which Avalon does zzdcar recommend?

The appeal of the Avalon is its smooth and sophisticated ride, and the Limited trim best exemplifies that experience. It's a step up in price from the base model, but it's surprisingly less costly than the Touring or TRD. Yet the extra touches including authentic leather and wood make it our pick of the bunch.

　　

2021 Toyota Avalon models

The 2021 Toyota Avalon is available in five trim levels: XLE, Touring, XSE Nightshade, Limited and TRD. All trims come standard with front-wheel drive and a 3.5-liter V6 engine (301 horsepower, 267 lb-ft of torque) mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on the XLE and Touring trims with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (205 hp, 185 lb-ft). An available Toyota Avalon Hybrid is reviewed separately.

　　XLE

　　The base version kicks things off with these standard features:

　　LED headlights and taillights 17-inch alloy wheels Push-button start Automatic engine stop-start Heated front seats Power-adjustable front seats Simulated leather upholstery Dual-zone automatic climate control 9-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility Four USB ports Eight-speaker audio systemStandard safety features include:

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Avalon and the car in front) Collision mitigation with pedestrian detection (applies the brakes automatically to stop the vehicle to avoid or minimize a collision) Lane departure alert with steering assist (steers the Avalon back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)XSE Nightshade Edition

　　An attention-grabbing trim that has the XLE features plus:

　　Black-painted 19-inch wheels Black exterior trim accents Microsuede front seat inserts Built-in garage door openerLimited

　　The most luxurious of the Avalon levels offers:

　　Adaptive cornering headlights 18-inch chrome alloy wheels Sunroof Head-up display Navigation system 14-speaker audio system Wireless charging station Ambient lighting Wood interior trim Leather upholstery and ventilated front seats Heated rear seatsTouring

　　This trim includes luxe equipment from the Limited with a more athletic approach:

　　Black-painted 19-inch wheels Adaptive suspension dampers (can adjust to improve comfort and handling) Aluminum interior trim Simulated leather upholstery with microsuede front seat inserts Sport-sounding exhaust Quad chrome exhaust tips Black rear spoilerAdvanced Safety package

　　Available only on the Limited and Touring trims, this package offers:

　　Surround-view camera (gives you a top-down view of the Avalon and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking) Rear cross-traffic braking (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse and brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision)TRD

　　The high-performance moniker adopts most features from the XSE with sporty accents:

　　Sport-tuned suspension Aerodynamic body kit Lightweight 19-inch wheels with optional summer tires Black-painted roof Rear spoiler Red seat belts and interior stitching Performance exhaust

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2021 Avalon Highlights

Trim: XLEXSE NightshadeLimitedTouringTRDXLE

　　

Base MSRP	$36,125
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