Background: Toyota's full-size, front-wheel drive Avalon debuted in 1994 as a 1995 offering. It became Toyota's flagship car, the largest four-door sedan sold by Toyota. Toyota dropped it's large Cressida sedan back in 1991. Avalon one of the few car offerings from a Japanese manufacturer with an optional 50/50 power split front bench seat, capable of accommodating three adults. All Avalons are built in Georgetown, Ky.
Trim levels: The four-door Avalon is marketed in two trim levels: XL and the top-of-the-line XLS. We had the opportunity to test the XLS with seating for five.
New for 98: On the outside, a wider trunklid joins more chrome enhancements which decorate the front and rear fascia trim and bodyside molding. Rear tail lamps and front headlights get freshened too. Side air bags are standard this year. Some models include a new wood-grain interior trim on the dashboard, console and door panels.
Safety features: Side air bags now join dual air bags as standard equipment. In addition, anti-lock four-wheel brakes, child protector rear door locks, energy-absorbing doors and front-rear crumple zones come standard. Traction control is a $300 option in both trim levels.
Standard equipment: Air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and locks (with anti-lockout feature), intermittent wipers, tilt steering wheel, automatic transmission, heated side mirrors, rear-window defogger and power assist rack-and-pinion steering comes standard in both trim levels. An auto-off feature turns out the headlights once the ignition is off and the passenger door opens. The XLS trim level also includes heated sideview mirrors, aluminum alloy wheels, seven-speaker sound system and vehicle theft-deterrent system integrated into the remote entry system. All these features are options in the XL trim level.
Optional equipment: Mudguards, leather-trim interior package, moonroof and premium cassette/compact disc sound system are options in both trim levels. Heated seats and two-setting memory seats are optional in XLS, but not offered in XL trim levels.
Price: Our top-of-the-line XLS with five-seat capacity had a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $28,128. With options including premium sound system, leather seating package, heated seats with dual memory, traction control and moonroof, the bottom line totaled $31,928, including at $420 destination charge. Starting price for a XL with room for five checks in at $24,278.
Engine: The sole Avalon powertrain is a 3.0-liter, four-cam, 24-valve V-6 engine producing 200 horsepower. The engine is linked to a four-speed, electronically-controlled automatic transmission with multi-point electronically controlled fuel injection.
Interior: The trunk-release button is found in the glovebox far away from the fuel-door lever, located on the floor left of the driver's seat. The ignition switch is located on the dashboard, not the steering column. One nice touch is a second gear shift indicator in the instrument panel. Avalons with seating for five have a floor-mounted gear shift while six-passenger Avalons have the gear shift on the steering column. Between the front bucket seats in five-passenger Avalons is a deep, flip-top storage bin with dual cup holders that retract from the front. Headlights operate from the turn signal stalk while windshield wipers are found on a right-hand side stalk. A stand-alone digital clock is separate from the radio frequency display. The ventilation system includes a dial for temperature settings, and 11 square buttons monitoring fan speed and direction.
Seating comfort: Head and leg room were generous in front and back. Our XLS model included seven-way adjustments on the driver seat and six-way on the passenger side. Rear seat riders enjoy a fold-down center armrest, but their is no pass-through to the trunk. Three adults can squeeze in back, but for longer trips, two would travel more comfortably.
Exterior: Front turn signals get repositioned behind a clear lens next to the jeweled headlights and rear tail lamps increase in size this model year. Also, more chrome trim has been added. Fifteen-inch, all-season steel belted radial tires come standard. Steel wheels are featured on XL models while aluminum alloy wheels come standard in XLS trim levels. Fog lights are a standard item in XLS editions, but not offered in XL trim levels. Avalon's conservative exterior looks reflect the style of Toyota's mid-size Camry, the best selling car in the United States during the 1997 calendar year. Avalon offers nine color choices: Napa Burgundy Pearl, Golden Sand Metallic, Sable Pearl and Classic Green Pearl are new for 1998 joining Black, Diamond White Pearl, Vintage Rose Metallic, Silver Spruce and Blue Velvet Pearl.
Trunk: The trunk holds 15.4 cubic feet of cargo, a slightly smaller area than many full-size competitors. The trunk lid is nine-inches wider for 1998 and now includes a spoiler-like lip. The wider design makes loading and unloading materials easier. A full-size spare stores in a well below the flat-floored bottom.
Dimensions: Wheelbase: 107.1 inches Overall length: 191.9 inches Overall width: 70.5 inches Overall height: 56.7 inches Curb weight: 3,340 pounds
Fuel economy: Estimates check in at 21 miles per gallon city and 31 mpg highway. The tank holds 18.5 gallons of unleaded fuel. Premium gasoline with 91 octane is recommended.
Final thoughts: Drivers who are big fans to Toyota's Camry will enjoy the larger, roomier, well-equipped Avalon. Toyota utilizes some of the lessons it learned from building its luxury Lexus line into Avalon. The ride is very smooth and quite and when idling, the engine is barely audible. The Lexus name is more prestigious, but Avalon incorporates several Lexus-like nuances for a bit less money. Some of Avalon's domestic full-size competitors including the Buick LeSabre and Pontiac Bonneville have more interior and trunk room and get better fuel economy, but Toyota's well-deserved reputation for quality-built, reliable vehicles extends to Avalon. |