The grille is a bit a lot.
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With the present Avalon, Toyota determined to attempt to shake up the sedan’s previously sleepy picture within the hopes of attracting patrons whose private Venn diagrams do not overlap fully with AARP membership. I’ll be damned if Toyota wasn’t profitable, as a result of not solely is the 2020 Toyota Avalon attention-grabbing to take a look at, it is fairly respectable to drive.
LikeSmooth, environment friendly drivetrainGreat inside, superb seatsLots of ordinary security tech
Don’t LikeLots of wind noiseNo Android AutoThat grille is large
The 2020 Toyota Avalon is accessible with two very totally different powertrains. The normal model has a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine that makes 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque mated to an eight-speed computerized transmission. But for this evaluation, I’m specializing in the Avalon Hybrid, powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with the model’s digital constantly variable transmission, which ends up in 176 hp and 163 lb-ft.My check automobile is an XSE Hybrid, and regardless of the not precisely headline-making energy quantity, the automobile feels completely sufficient whereas accelerating up onramps and overtaking on the freeway. The greatest a part of the hybrid drivetrain — except for its stellar, EPA-estimated gasoline financial system of 43 miles per gallon within the metropolis and on the freeway — is its glassy-smooth supply of energy. Toyota’s been doing this hybrid factor for a very long time now, and it actually exhibits.
The XSE model of the Avalon is the sportier of the 2 non-TRD trims, although that is not saying a lot. The “sport-tuned suspension” of my check automobile does not appear to supply a lot in the best way of added driver engagement or any perceptible enhance in street holding. Thankfully, the engineers did not take the sport-tuned half too far, as a result of the automobile stays snug even over damaged Los Angeles pavement.The Avalon’s steering is surprisingly good, with sufficient weight to the wheel and a pleasant linear really feel. The system does not supply an excessive amount of suggestions to the motive force, however in a automobile just like the Avalon, that is actually not sudden, neither is it a deal breaker. Braking can also be not what I’d name good however lacks any vices or obvious weirdness, which may occur with hybrid powertrains and regenerative braking. There is loads of preliminary chew while you need it, however the brakes do not feel overly grabby at low speeds, which is a plus.
2020 Toyota Avalon XSE Hybrid: Big, refined and a surprisingly good time
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The Avalon packs loads of normal security tech within the type of the Toyota Safety Sense P suite of driver help techniques. TSS-P contains issues like a precollision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering help, computerized excessive beams and adaptive cruise management. Also on board is an ordinary blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. No shock, the techniques all work properly.
The interiors of recent Toyotas, normally, are pretty pretty locations to spend time, however the Avalon is on one other stage — significantly in its dearer trims just like the range-topping Limited. It’s very Lexus-like, however with higher infotainment. Win/win, proper?My extra modestly priced XSE Hybrid tester lacks the wealthy brogued leather-based of the Limited trim, however that does not imply it is not wonderful. The excessive level of the inside for me is the entrance seats. They’re spectacular. They really feel tender and comfortable whereas additionally being lots supportive for lengthy stints behind the wheel. On prime of how they really feel, additionally they look nice. I’d like to see Toyota begin to supply these in different fashions.The Avalon has loads of inside room for entrance and rear passengers together with a lot of cargo area in its good-ol’-fashioned large sedan trunk — 16.1 cubic toes, to be actual. The cabin supplies are properly thought out and of very prime quality. Overall match and end are wonderful, and the entire automobile feels premium, particularly for its value.The Avalon’s inside is extraordinarily snug.
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The greatest difficulty with the inside of the Avalon is the noise. The automobile does not transmit tons of street noise essentially, and there are no squeaks or rattles to talk of. Still, the wind noise that the automobile generates is just a little egregious, particularly contemplating that the automobile options double-pane glass. For comparability, I just lately spent a while within the a lot larger and bulkier (and older) Toyota Land Cruiser, and even at California freeway speeds, it was useless quiet. Not so with the a lot sleeker Avalon. Whether the sound is coming from the door mirrors or among the physique styling touches is tough to say, however at larger freeway speeds it is sufficient to make dialog troublesome at instances.From an infotainment standpoint, the Avalon is not what anybody would name cutting-edge — this merely is not Toyota’s robust swimsuit — but it surely’s a lot better than it was even a era in the past, such that its flaws are largely ignorable. This is very true should you’re an everyday person of Apple CarPlay or Amazon’s Alexa, however should you’re an Android person, you are out of luck for now.My tester options the upgraded premium audio system designed with JBL. It options built-in navigation in addition to Clari-Fi audio enhancement, engine sound amplification (ugh) and Toyota’s Active Noise Control system. It’s not a supercheap package deal at $1,750, however as somebody who loves music and audiobooks, I contemplate it a worthwhile field to tick — even when the noise management tech does not actually appear to do a lot at freeway speeds. It’s additionally price mentioning that on the XSE Hybrid, the upgraded audio package deal is the one choice. Everything else is normal.So what is going to a well-equipped 2020 Toyota Avalon XSE Hybrid price you? Less than you may suppose, truly. My tester retails for $42,836 ($836 of which is equipment), which makes for a reasonably compelling worth proposition, given Toyota’s resale values and repute for reliability.There aren’t many full-size sedans left, however the Avalon is certainly the very best of the bunch.
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To be trustworthy, the Avalon does not have loads of competitors, not solely due to its dimension but in addition due to its value. There aren’t many full-size sedans being constructed as of late, and a lot of the ones which might be left are fairly costly in contrast with the Avalon. Still, there are a number of price discussing just like the Lexus ES 300h, the 2020 Kia Cadenza and Chevrolet’s not-long-for-this-world 2020 Impala.The Lexus’ pricing is eerily just like the Avalon’s, however in going to the fancier badge, you are truly giving up some creature comforts. Namely, the Lexus has a worse infotainment system, the inside design is rather less stylish and flowing and the Lexus does not permit you to fold down its rear seats.The 2020 Cadenza presents an actual problem to the massive Toyota if patrons can get previous the Kia badge. The Cadenza will get a refresh for 2020 that improves its appears in and out and options some suspension tweaks to provide it a extra supple trip. The draw back is that it is solely supplied with a 290-hp V6, so in order for you one thing just a little thriftier on fuel, it might not be the automobile for you. The Cadenza is priced pretty near the Avalon, with the Technology trim beginning at $38,885, whereas the extra luxurious Limited prices $44,585.The 2020 Toyota Avalon is not an ideal automobile, but it surely’s nonetheless undoubtedly the massive fish in its ever-shrinking pond. It’s a nice automobile to drive, and will final for eons and maintain onto its worth in a manner that the competitors doubtless will not. If you will get previous the styling, the Avalon Hybrid is a superb alternative.