With striking new aesthetics, the 2014 Avalon premium mid-size sedan, becomes the fashion leader of the Toyota four-door family - a new role for the company's flagship. Since the first-generation Avalon drove off the assembly line in Kentucky as 1995 models, it has continued to offer refined luxury, premium materials and roomy interiors, packaged in pleasant but uninspired styling.
That was improved for the better last year, with the debut of the fourth generation Avalon, wearing a bolder, more elegant exterior that matches the enhance performance, cabin comfort and growing list of convenience technologies available for 2014.
Created by a young team of designers and engineers in Toyota's California and Michigan studios, the Avalon's new level of sophistication continues for 2014 in an endeavor to appeal to a broader range of consumers.
Fresh exterior design cues include the longer, more fluid roofline, flowing profile, chiseled shoulders, wider lower grille, industry-first Quadrabeam headlight cluster and sculpted rear taillights that utilize LED lamps.
Not only is the '14 model more contemporary looking and improved structurally, it's 110 pounds lighter than the preceding model, tipping the scales at 3,461 lbs. compared to previous 3,571.
Avalon's fashionable and roomy five-passenger cabin is offered in a choice of three color themes: almond; light grey and black. Overall quality of both faux and genuine leather materials is impressive, and the test car came with heated and cooled front seats, and heated rear seats.
After seven days with the Avalon, I learned to appreciated the expansive dashboard that uses contemporary touch switches, which at first were almost too sensitive. That's not really a complaint, just a learning experience to their positioning and responsiveness. The handsome dash is sectioned into a display zone for the driver; command zone for driver and front passenger, and an open space zone for front passenger.
Standard on all '14 Avalon models is an easy to operate display system with 6.1 inch TFT touchscreen for audio operation, as well as available rear-camera display, Bluetooth compatibility and operation of iPod and USB devices. A second, non-touch screen unit located just below the center dash is for climate control info.
Ask your dealer about the premium audio setup; HDD navigation with 7 inch screen, and Qi wireless in-car charging, which Toyota claims is the world's first application of that system.
Other noticeable touches include LED adjustable ambient lighting and a large-capacity rear console box.
I've become more relaxed with vehicles like the Avalon using systems that monitor blind spots and rear cross traffic, and alert the driver when there's possible danger. Toyota offers a pre-collision system that "senses" an imminent frontal collision to help minimize overall damage. There's even a variable ratio brake pedal that varies the initial and final pedal effort ratios to help realize excellent brake pedal feel. Just remember, these systems are there to assist, not replace alert and responsive drivers.
Front and rear seats are nicely padded with side bolster support and contours to minimize fatigue during long periods sitting in the car. Toyota designers lowered the roof by a full inch in height, yet I found that folks had no difficulty entering or leaving the new model. Inside, the rear seat occupancies had plenty of leg, hip, and even generous headroom due to the concave sections built into the sloping interior roof liner. Additional refinements such as acoustic glass and aerodynamic body contouring have further reduced road, wind and powertrain noise inside the cabin. Improved luggage compartment is rated at 16.0 cubic feet of cargo capacity for the gasoline model, which is 1.6 cu.ft. more compared to the outgoing model. The space is reduced to 14.0 cu.ft. for the Hybrid edition.
The 2014 lineup includes the Avalon DOHC V-6, and since last year, a four-cylinder Hybrid model, each in two grades - XLE and Limited. You can spot the hybrid by blue-trimmed Toyota emblems at the front and rear of the vehicle, in addition to the hybrid badges on the trunk lid and front doors.
My test vehicle came equipped with the 268 horsepower 3.5L V-6, which proved jack-rabbit quick from stop lights, and merged seamlessly into the fast lane on expressways - all done with a silent efficiency that belies the power within.
A lot of fun driving came from operating the large paddle-shift toggles attached to the steering wheel. This was most notable while winding through traffic, and navigating some dandy "S" curves, with actuate, lighting-fast up and down shifts through the six-speed automatic transaxle.
Handling and ride qualities are notably improved over previous editions, partially as the results of the new electrically boosted variable-ratio steering, larger rear anti-roll bar, and increase from 17- to 18-in. tires and wheels.
Consumer's entertaining the purchase of an alternative-powered vehicle should consider the Avalon Hybrid model that comes outfitted with a 156hp 2.5L Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine attached to a full power-split hybrid application transaxle. The two high output electric motors in the transaxle are rated at 105 kW total, for a total system output 200 horsepower, and is mated to a transmission that operates similarly to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive has an EPA-rated 40 mpg in the city, and a 39 mpg on the highway for a combined 40 mpg .
Depending on package levels, desirable items include 18" anthracite-painted alloy wheels, moonroof, premium perforated leather and rear sunshade. The 2014 Avalon is assembled in Georgetown KY.
Vehicle: premium mid-size sedan - front-wheel drive
Type: four-door, five-passenger, front engine
Wheelbase: 111 in.
Overall Length: 195.3
Overall Width: 72.2 in.
Overall Height: 57.5 in.
Curb Weight: 3497 to 3616 lbs.
Gross Weight: 6500 to 6800 lbs.
Fuel: Unleaded regular, 87 octane
Price Range: $31,340 to $41,400
Competitors: Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, Hyundai Azera, Kia Cadenza, Lexus ES350, Mazda Mazda6
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