My, what a big grille you could have.
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
Toyota’s normcore veneer splits on occasion, letting bizarre stuff out of the woodwork, like a skunkworks Prius rally automotive or a Yaris with manner an excessive amount of horsepower. One such automotive that’s certain to elicit a double take from most anybody is the 2021 Avalon TRD. I do not know who this automotive is for, however I’m very glad it exists.

LikeEnjoyable to driveWild styling for an AvalonIntriguing engine be aware

Don’t LikeExpensiveCould use a skosh extra energy and perhaps all-wheel drive

Aesthetics for the younger at coronary heart”Sheesh.” That’s what I stated after I first noticed the Toyota Avalon TRD. It’s… so much to course of. All Avalons carry that large grille up entrance, but on the TRD it appears to make extra sense, what with the odd ranges of aggression oozing from each different nook of the automotive. Sharp lips and protrusions encompass the decrease a part of the physique, whereas 19-inch alloy wheels fill the wells appropriately. Most of the Avalon’s badges and trim are blacked out, which makes the TRD’s cat-back exhaust stand out much more. The entire sedan sits 0.6 inches decrease to the bottom, too.Sure, the automotive appears like a random aftermarket tuning store had its manner with it, however the Avalon TRD is enjoyable in a manner that Toyota’s bigger autos so not often are. Like the aforementioned Prius rally automotive, I like when automobiles are taken out of their stereotypical parts and made to adapt to some unusual new world. What enjoyable is life if you cannot get a bit bizarre?

Inside, issues are a bit lighter on the senses. The Avalon TRD’s inside is fairly near the usual mannequin, with a number of notable exceptions like crimson distinction stitching, TRD logos in a number of locations and a few very loud flooring mats. Oh, and the seatbelts are vivid crimson, too — identical to in sporty Mercedes-Benz autos, if you wish to try to spin that positively.Despite all of the boy-racer frippery, the Avalon stays a big household sedan at coronary heart, so its usability stays alongside these traces. There’s a metric truckton of practicality in right here. The middle armrest and door cubbies are large, the flat tray forward of the cup holders is nice for telephones or masks and the rear seats have a great deal of room for even taller grownup passengers. The Avalon’s 16-cubic-foot trunk is large enough for golf golf equipment, groceries and suitcases aplenty, beating the Nissan Maxima’s cargo capability, though it lags a bit behind the Dodge Charger.

Driving dynamics largely for the younger at coronary heartThe Avalon TRD does a fairly good job approximating a sport sedan with out going entire hog. Its 3.5-liter V6 places out the identical 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque as another variant, and that energy is routed via the identical ol’ eight-speed automated transmission heading solely to the entrance axle. There’s greater than sufficient ahead movement for switchbacks and freeway on-ramps, and whereas the TRD-specific exhaust sounds good throughout the rev vary, I’m left wishing for about 50 extra hp, which might be simply sufficient to really feel correctly sprightly.

Under the sheet metallic, Toyota added stiffer springs and sway bars, wider wheels, larger brakes and tweaked static dampers. In regular driving, the TRD feels only a smidge stiffer than ordinary, carrying a number of additional street undulations into the cabin, however it’s nonetheless 100% Avalon in right here, with a precedence on a quiet cabin and a sufficiently easy journey. This sedan is enjoyable to chuck round, and it stays fairly flat, however most of those adjustments do not essentially alter the expertise. The all-season Michelin tires have the identical limits as another Avalon, whereas a scarcity of each AWD and a limited-slip differential means these entrance piggies will squeal and wrestle a bit to maneuver the entire operation ahead. Adding a type of two gadgets could be welcome injections of character, and borrowing the adaptive dampers from the Avalon Touring would possibly bestow it with extra of a best-of-both-worlds vibe.The Avalon TRD is the least-efficient Avalon on provide, however not by a lot. The EPA charges it at 21 mpg metropolis and 30 mpg freeway, numbers that I discover fairly achievable, and it is solely a hair much less environment friendly than the bottom and XLE variants.Slap some summer season tires on this dangerous boy and you might have a mighty enjoyable time.
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
Tech for everybodyI’m an enormous fan of automakers that do not poor-shame decrease trims with shrunken screens and obscene bezels, which is a part of the rationale why I dig the Avalon. All trims, TRD or in any other case, come normal with a 9-inch touchscreen that features each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with satellite tv for pc radio and 4 USB charging ports (one USB-A and one USB-C per row). Navigation is non-obligatory, a part of a $1,720 bundle that features peppier JBL audio system. The entire system works fairly nicely; the graphics are dated and a bit large-format for my tastes, however it has every little thing most patrons will need, and it capabilities nicely sufficient to maintain the youths from getting indignant.On the security entrance, each Avalon additionally comes with the Toyota Safety Sense P bundle, a collection of energetic and passive driver aids. Forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep help, automated excessive beams and full-speed adaptive cruise management are all current and accounted for. It all works as flawlessly because it does on another Toyota. The solely factor I want the Avalon TRD had is parking sensors, since it is a huge boy and no person needs to scuff up that huge ol’ grille. That stated, they’re out there on different trims.Toyota’s UI is a bit dated as of late, however it’s nonetheless practical.
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
Down to brass tacksWhile a number of key upgrades to the Avalon TRD would actually wake it up for my part, I’m not so certain the value would have the ability to deal with it. As it’s, the 2021 Toyota Avalon TRD begins at $43,870, together with $995 for vacation spot and dealing with. That places it above each single different Avalon trim, save for the tippy-tippy-top Limited Hybrid. Considering you may get a Dodge Charger with a 485-hp V8 (and a superior infotainment system) for practically the identical scratch, you must really need the Avalon TRD to make a powerful monetary case.But if sporty-ish Japanese sedans are your bag, then the 2021 Toyota Avalon TRD will definitely scratch your itch. It could not leap forth in a manner that really separates it from the remainder of the Avalon crowd, however it’s a enjoyable four-door that bucks the notion that Avalons are mainly shepherds carrying grandma from Boca Raton to the Pearly Gates.

Climb within the driver’s seat for the most recent automotive information and evaluations, delivered to your inbox twice weekly.