The full-size sedan used to be the exclusive domain of American carmakers. Popular with families, they provided plenty of space and comfort for passengers and had trunks the size of a New York apartment. Current full-sizers may not be as massive as they were, but they're much more space-efficient so they offer nearly as much room for people and things. A good example of this is the 2011 Toyota Avalon.
The latest Avalon is known for its spacious interior, abundant luxury features and refined ride. Although this year's model brings a refresh with some new styling (front/rear ends and instrument panel), more standard features and a reduction in trim levels from three to two, the 2011 Avalon is otherwise similar to the one that debuted six years ago. That's fine with us, as there is so much to recommend the Avalon. Though its exterior looks smaller than most of its rivals, the Avalon manages to offer more space within the cabin. Meanwhile, the backseat is among the most accommodating anywhere, with standard reclining seatbacks, abundant headroom and an available power rear sunshade.
And then there is the car's remarkable combination of performance and fuel efficiency. The standard 268-horsepower V6 engine accelerates the Avalon more rapidly than similarly powered competitors while still returning impressive fuel mileage estimates of 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.
Unlike in years past, however, the Avalon now faces more competent rivals like the Buick LaCrosse and Ford Taurus. And even with this year's styling tweaks, the Avalon may look a bit too bland for some buyers. A past gripe involving the Avalon's pricing has been partially addressed this year as the base model comes more generously equipped but with no increase in price. Still, some budget-minded buyers may wish there was a more basic, lower-priced model. While the 2011 Toyota Avalon remains at the top of its game and is easy to recommend, it does have some worthy competition that's worth consideration.
The outgoing Avalon's dashboard — which had hinged doors over the navigation system, stereo and climate controls — is gone, replaced by a more conventional design that leaves them out in the open. The navigation system has improved graphics that fall in line with the systems in other Toyotas; the 2010 Avalon offered a dated, older navigation display. The gauges are also new.
The base Avalon grade is fairly well equipped, with standard leather upholstery, power front seats, reclining rear seats, a moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control and a CD stereo with USB/iPod compatibility. Limited models add heated, ventilated seats, a keyless access system with push-button start, an upgraded JBL stereo and a power rear sunshade. Many of those features are optional on the base Avalon. The navigation system, which includes a backup camera, is optional.
The Toyota Avalon's calling card certainly isn't flashy looks. On the other hand, its styling is appropriately staid and elegant, and anything but offensive. The shape comes across as exactly what it is: a wrapping for the exceptionally comfortable, spacious cabin inside. In that sense, it recalls some stately European sedans of the 1950s and '60s.
Toyota has re-styled the full-size Avalon for 2011, though the changes are hardly dramatic. It requires fairly thorough inspection to realize that the Avalon has changed at all. The differences lie in details. Avalon's proportions and profile haven't changed a bit.
Nor have any of its dimensions, by more than a fraction of inch. Overall, the Avalon is eight inches longer than Toyota's top-selling Camry sedan. By most exterior dimensions, it's roughly the same size as the Ford Taurus, Chevrolet Impala, and Chrysler 300. Compared to European luxury sedans, it's larger than the mid-size Mercedes E-Class, but smaller than the full-size S-Class sedan.
The revised look for 2011 starts with a slightly wider grille connecting the headlight clusters with bolder, heavier chrome slats and trim. The lights apply the so-called light-pipe design, which creates the impression of illuminated tubes at night. The fog lights are now surrounded by a chrome garnish and more closely integrated in the air intake below the bumper.
Compared its predecessor, the 2011 Avalon has thicker, more obvious chrome strips around its side windows, and slightly smaller, more sculpted side mirrors. There's a thick strip of chrome at the bottom of the doors, above more prominently contoured side sills.
The taillights have been reshaped for 2011 to reduce turbulence at the rear. Indeed, many of the styling details are optimized to limit wind noise inside the car, including the shape of the windshield pillars and the placement of wipers under the hood line.
Subtle details distinguish Avalon Limited from the standard car. Its wheels have 10 thin spokes rather than five thicker ones, and its door handles are chrome rather than painted. The Limited's headlight clusters feature high-intensity discharge low beams, and its side mirrors have LED puddle lights underneath. These are essentially invisible until the doors are unlocked with the key fob, at which point the puddle lights dump a swath of light on the pavement underneath the front doors.
The 2011 Toyota Avalon lineup has been streamlined, with just two thoroughly equipped models. Both come with a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 and 6-speed automatic transmission.
The Avalon ($32,595) comes standard with leather upholstery, a full complement of power accessories and features such as full-power front seats, dual-zone climate control with cabin air filter, audio and climate controls on the steering wheel, a power moonroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and Homelink universal transceiver, fog lights and 17-inch alloy wheels. The audio system has nine speakers, a six-CD changer, XM satellite radio receiver, a USB connector and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Options include heated front seats ($440), memory seats with heating and cooling ($1,020), and premium, 660-watt JBL Synthesis audio ($900) with 12 speakers. The Navigation System with JBL Audio ($2,350) uses a 4CD changer and includes a rearview camera. Dealer installed options include remote start.
Avalon Limited ($35,835) adds a proximity key with pushbutton start, HID headlamps, a wood-and-leather-trimmed shift knob and steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a power sunshade for the rear glass. Options for the Limited are limited to a touch-screen navigation system with voice control ($1,450) and rearview camera; and special paint colors ($220).
Safety features on all Avalons include front-impact airbags, a driver's knee airbag, seat-mounted side-impact airbags for front passengers, side-curtain head-protection airbags for outboard passengers front and rear and active front seat headrests, which are intended to cradle the head more effectively in a rear impact and limit whiplash injuries. Active safety features include Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, and a tire pressure monitor. The optional rearview camera included with the navigation system can help the driver spot a child or pedestrian when backing up and we recommend getting it.
Standard safety features include seven airbags: the required dual front ones plus a driver's knee airbag, side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags for both rows. Antilock brakes, traction control and an electronic stability system are also standard.
Driving Impressions
Not surprisingly, the 2011 Toyota Avalon is at its best on the open highway. The cabin remains quiet, the ultra-smooth V6 engine has plenty of passing power and the suspension swallows up road imperfections without drama. The Avalon is no athlete, though, so those interested in a slightly more involved driving experience should consider the Buick LaCrosse. The Avalon's steering is too light to feel sporty, but it responds to driver inputs in a precise, fluid manner. Additionally, a tidy turning circle makes the Avalon feel unexpectedly maneuverable on tight city streets.
reference:autos.aol.com,www.edmunds.com,www.cars.com
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