Vehicle Tested
| 2011 Toyota Avalon Limited
Base Price: $35,485
At-Tested Price: $37,884
Built in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Options
Navigation and Premium Audio
Carpet Floor Mats
Engine: 3.5-liter V6
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive
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Toyota redesigned its largest sedan for 2011 giving it fresh interior and exterior styling. Still a full-size car, the new Avalon doesn't change in size and carries over its V6 engine. Avalon competes with vehicles like the Buick Lucerne, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Ford Taurus and Hyundai Azera.
Avalon comes only with front-wheel drive and seats five on twin front buckets and a three-place rear bench seat. Two trim levels are offered, Base and Limited. Both comes standard with a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine that mates to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Standard safety features include antilock four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, front-seat active head restraints, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights, rear-view camera, driver knee airbag and dual-front, front-side and curtain-side airbags. Park assist is not offered.
The Base model lists for $32,445 and comes standard with air conditioning with dual-zone automatic controls, tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio and climate controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, front bucket seats, eight-way power driver seat with lumbar adjustment, four-way power passenger seat, center console, reclining and split-folding rear seat with trunk pass-through, heated power mirrors with driver-side automatic day/night and turn signals, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with iPod adapter, satellite radio, Bluetooth cell-phone link, trip computer, outside-temperature indicator, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, universal garage door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, automatic headlights, theft-deterrent system, fog lights, full-size spare tire, 215/55R17 tires and alloy wheels.
The $35,685 Limited adds to the Base heated/ventilated front seats, driver-seat cushion-length adjustment, memory system (driver seat, mirrors), eight-way power passenger seat, woodgrain/leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless access and starting, JBL AM/FM radio with six-disc CD/MP3 changer, rain-sensing wipers, power rear sunshade and HID headlamps.
Options are limited but available on both models is a navigation system that incorporates voice commands and real-time traffic information. The Avalon is built in Georgetown, Kentucky, and carries a $760 destination charge.
Get Up and Go Avalon benefits from Toyota's smooth and powerful 3.5-liter V6. The engine is one of the best in the class and provides ample power at all speeds. Though Toyota doesn't quote a 0-60 mph time, it's likely less than seven seconds, making Avalon one of the quickest cars in the class.
The six-speed automatic provides buttery upshifts and prompt downshifts. There's little driveline drama, just press down on the pedal and Avalon moves out with appropriate speed.
EPA estimates for the 2011 Toyota Avalon come in at 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, this on the Toyota-recommended regular-grade gasoline. Real-world driving will likely yield similar numbers, but it's easy to average greater than 30 mpg in gentile highway cruising. When compared to others in the class, Avalon boasts slightly higher than average numbers.
On the Road The Avalon has always been one of the smoothest-riding full-size sedans sold in America. That doesn't change at all for 2011, though the switch to standard 17-inch wheels seems to give the big car a bit more composure. The absorbent suspension does an excellent job of quelling large impacts and completely muffles small bumps. There's still some rebound bounce that can elicit a queasy feeling when driving over badly broken roads.
Not the most athletic large sedan, Avalon displays competent road manners. The soft suspension settings allow too much body lean in quick changes of direction and too much squat in hard braking. Still, the steering is accurate--if a bit light--and the brakes provide ample stopping power.
Avalon remains one of the quietest large sedans on the market. It's likely quieter than many luxury sedans and certainly makes a case for quietest highway cruiser in the class. The engine is only audible in hard acceleration and even then it's just a whisper when compared to some others.
Behind the Wheel Toyota designers did a nice job of revamping Avalon's interior giving it a more modern and sophisticated feel while still retaining utter simplicity in terms of controls. Large gauges dominate the instrument panel and the audio and climate controls are placed high in the center stack. Materials are adequate, but seem to lag those found in the Chrysler 300 or Ford Taurus--especially the fuzzy headliner.
Driver's have a commanding view of the road and sit tall on comfortable seats. There's plenty of head and leg room for front-seat riders and entry/exit is a snap through the wide doors.
Opting for the available navigation system complicates controls somewhat, but that's par for the course. The standard rear-view camera display appears in the navigation screen on models so equipped. On models without navi, the display is in the rear-view mirror.
Avalon boasts class-leading rear seat room. There's plenty of space for two adults to stretch out and the reclining seatback is a nice touch in this class. Also, the floor hump is tiny, meaning three can sit in back without fighting for foot space.
Trunk space trails class leaders and pales in comparison to the 20 cubic feet offered in the Ford Taurus. In addition, the lid has space eating hinges that can complicate loading. Interior storage, though unremarkable, is adequate. There's a deep center console bin, a covered cup holder and a center stack bin.
Bottom Line Avalon is still the quintessential large American car. It offers plenty of room for adults and a comfortable and quiet ride. It's only shortcomings are a smallish trunk and mediocre handling.
Prices are a little on the high side as well, but the Avalon is very well equipped, even in Base trim. A fully loaded Limited can be hand for about $37,000, which is on par with competitors at Ford and Chrysler. If you're shopping for a roomy and comfortable sedan, it's hard to look past the Avalon.
Specifications 2011 Toyota Avalon Limited
| Dimensions
| 4-door sedan
| Engine
| DOHC V6
| Wheelbase, in.
| 111.0
| Size, liters/cu. in.
| 3.5 / 211
| Length, in.
| 197.6 | Horsepower @ rpm
| 268 @ 6200
| Width, in.
| 72.8
| Torque (lb.-ft.) @ rpm
| 248 @ 4700
| Height, in.
| 58.5
| Transmission
| 6-Speed Automatic
| Weight, lbs.
| 3616
| EPA Estimates, mpg
| 20 city / 29 highway
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft.
| 14.4 |
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| Fuel Capacity, gals.
| 18.5
| Manufacturer's Warranty
| Seating Capacity
| 5
| Bumper-to-Bumper
| 3 years / 36,000 miles
| Front Head Room, in.
| 38.9
| Powertrain
| 5 years / 60,000 miles
| Front Leg Room, in.
| 41.3
| Corrosion
| 5 years / Unlimited miles
| Second-Row Head Room, in.
| 37.5
| Free Roadside Assistance
| None | Second-Row Leg Room, in.
| 40.9
| Free Scheduled Maintenance
| None
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