2005 Toyota Avalon Review

The Toyota Avalon has been the only full-size import brand conventional six-passenger sedan sold in this country since its debut in 1995. Other big Japanese cars have been luxury ships that would be insulted if called "conventional.''

The new, third-generation Avalon is the first to be styled, built and engineered in America, but it continues to look and feel like a Japanese sedan -- a Japanese Buick, if you will. This almost-luxury Toyota flagship model looks and feels like a much larger car, having grown 5.3 inches in length, 3.9 inches in wheelbase, 1.1 inches in width and 1.4 inches in height.

The 2005 Avalon also is more stylish and far more powerful and faster than its predecessors. A 3.5-liter, 280-horsepower V-6 replaces a 3-liter, 210-horsepower V-6.

The smooth sophisticated 24-valve engine makes the big, 3,490-pound car unexpectedly fast for a traditional large sedan. It can hit 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds -- and 100 mph in 16 seconds if you can find a long, deserted road.

Although sportier than its predecessors, the new front-drive Avalon is not a sports sedan, despite availability of a Touring version with a moderately firmer suspension that doesn't quite feel comfortable with the car's light steering.

Even the Touring version should be compared with cars such as the new Buick LaCrosse -- a soft, comfortable sedan for older folks. Ford's new Ford Five Hundred family sedan has a sportier feel on winding roads.

However, the Avalon's steering is quick and it has good road grip with only moderate lean when driven through curves. The suspension soaks up road imperfections without becoming sloppy. And the strong anti-lock disc brakes can be applied smoothly for quick stops -- although hard ones elicit nosedive.

Fuel economy is an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 31 on highways.

The Avalon comes in $26,350 base XL trim. That version is well-equipped, but higher-line models have leather upholstery and more comfort and luxury features. They're the $28,600 Touring, $30,800 XLS and $33,540 top-line Limited, which has standard heated and cooled front seats and keyless ignition with a one-touch starting button for the engine.

All models have front side air bags, head-protecting curtain side air bags and a driver knee air bag.

The XLS and Limited cost a lot for a Toyota, and options can run the price up to more than $35,000. A more prestigious ES 330 sedan from Toyota's upscale Lexus division only costs $31,975, but that's a mid-size car that lacks the Avalon's cavernous interior.

For the first time, a six-passenger Avalon doesn't exist because the car's front bench seat no longer is offered. (Toyota says few Avalon buyers wanted it.) Replacing the bench are supportive power bucket seats with an available extendible driver seat lower cushion and notchy, console-mounted sequential shift gate for the responsive five-speed automatic transmission.

The rear seat's high, hard center section makes it uncomfortable for a third rear passenger, so you end up with a sedan that comfortably seats four, big tall adults -- not five. Compensating is a rear seatback that reclines sufficiently to enhance comfort.

The trunk has shrunk 1.5 cubic feet, but it's unlikely anyone will notice because it's still large. However, it has a rather high opening, and lid-hinge housings and sidewall bulges eat into cargo space a little. The inner trunk lid has no strap or indented area to help you close it without getting hands dirty on outside sheet metal, but it has a thick insulation material.

The Avalon is loaded with sound insulation material, which helps give it a hushed interior even at highway speeds. That helps make the cockpit a comfortable place to be. The steering wheel manually tilts and telescopes to help drivers of various sizes get more comfortable, and the illuminated gauges are easy to read even in bright sunlight.

The dashboard area is modern but has average-grade plastics. Major controls are large and easily reached, although there are lots of look-alike buttons that take getting used to. Quirky power windows are hard to stop when they're racing up or down, but sound system controls are concealed by flip-up panels that should discourage amateur thieves.

The Avalon glides along much like top old-school big American sedans, but outdoes them with Toyota's superb fit and finish.

2005 TOYOTA AVALON

PRICES
$26,350-$33,540

LIKES
Fast. Roomy. Comfortable. High quality.

DISLIKES
Notchy shift gate. Rather high trunk opening. Quirky power windows.