The many satisfied Toyota Camry owners out tooling the streets of Chicagoland have a built-in, go-to family option when itching settles in to sample something bigger, promising up-market ambiance.
Toyota’s flagship sedan, Avalon, offers posh amenities not always found in America’s best-selling car, an aspirational vehicle for those seeking a tad more room inside with engaging driving dynamics sporting Toyota badging. It’s been tooling streets since its 1995 model year debut. While Avalon’s 60,063 sales pale compared with Camry’s 429,355 in 2015, it’s still respectable when compared with its primary competitor from Asia, Nissan’s flagship Maxima (with 40,359 sales in 2015).
The 2016 four-door Avalon marks a mid-cycle refresh of a fourth-generation effort born in the 2013 model year. The front-wheel-drive Avalon eventually replaced Toyota’s Cressida, dropped in 1991. Measuring in slightly longer (by about five inches) than Camry, Avalon falls between a large-end midsize or diminutive full-size. This Gen four effort shares many underpinnings with the upmarket Lexus ES (Lexus being the upmarket division of Toyota). In many respects, Avalon could be framed as ‘Lexus light,’ especially when factoring pricing.
As such, Avalon includes a whisper-quiet interior, a trademark of Lexus thanks in part to such engineering as acoustic noise-reducing windshield and side windows. Avalon fits comfortably in the touring category, an ideal choice for pleasant, quiet highway driving with true five passenger comfort.
Returning unchanged; selections of eco, sport or normal drive mode summoned from a push-button trio between supportive front buckets just west of inline beverage holders. Push-button start comes standard.
Although Avalon exports to a few markets outside the continent, this large-end sedan was created specifically for the North American market with design penned in Ann Arbor Michigan and assembly in Toyota’s sprawling Georgetown Kentucky assembly campus (comparable to 169 football fields under one roof).
Bill Fay, Toyota Group Vice President and General Manager, unveiled the 2016 Avalon to the masses 17 months ago during media days previewing 2015 Chicago Auto Show.
“Toyota’s flagship will roll out with a fresh new front end, complete with sophisticated newly available LED (light emitting diode) headlights and daytime running lights,” Fay commented. “Around back, new tail lights give it a high performance look.”
A key exterior visual returning for 2016: a large front end lower air dam dwarfing the center grill’s rather diminutive yet elegant format. The LED lights Toyota’s Fay referenced are a small, square pair flanking each side of the narrow grille centered by Toyota’s circular logo. This front face differs significantly from a recently introduced family grill prominent on newer Lexi vehicles redesigned in the past few years, a large, spindle-like structure sharing visuals with a truncated sand-filled hourglass.
Outward appearances return with a conservative, elegant bent. Rear ‘C’ pillars remain exceedingly narrow when flanking the large, square back window and meeting up with a short deck lid. Dual exhausts come standard. The Touring grade (our tester) includes 18-inch, dark grey painted alloy wheels teaming with all-season tires, adding a sinister side to this elegant vehicle.
Thinly vertical front turn signals flank the air dams lower end. The long, low-slung roof casts a coupe-like shadow with side windows adopting chrome pipping. Low tech, but highly effective secondary blinker bands trim both side mirrors, alerting other road warriors of intended moves.
Avalon’s five trims include XLE, XLE Plus, XLE Premium, Touring and Limited each with its own litany of standard equipment. One package option is available solely in top-trim Limiteds which includes radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection.
Returning for 2016 is a 3.5-liter, 24-valve V-6 generating 268 horsepower teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission. This same source powers its Camry sibling, although Camry also offers a four-cylinder option. Highway mileage estimates top the 30 mile-per-gallon barrier at 31; around town, 21 mpg. Regular, 87-octane fuel fills the 17-gallon tank. Avalon offers another powertrain option not found in other flagship sedans: a gas-electric hybrid system tweaking fuel mileage up to the high 30s in both city and highway categories.
Our well-equipped black-cherry hued (officially titled Sizzling Crimson Mica) Avalon Touring trim with V-6 naturally aspirated (non-turbo) engine checked in at $37,050. With no options, the bottom line rested at $37,885 after factoring the $835 destination charge. The lowest-priced Avalon, an XLE, starts at $32,650 while a hybrid-inspired Avalon checks in with a $36,650 starting fare.
For those chauffeured in back, Avalon provides oodles of leg room not far from limousine status. If three riders normally occupy row two, this vehicle easily accommodates. The front-wheel drive design eliminates a vertical floor hump. The cushioned backrest does not flip forward, but truck access is permitted through a small lockable square port accessible with the center arm-rest folded.
An eye-pleasing, driver-friendly padded dashboard exudes a jetting-down chrome-trimmed “U” shaped center hub housing a multi-function seven-inch touch screen with built-in audio system. Along the bottom third: a ventilation corral. Rather than conventional buttons, expect smoother semi-flat pressure touch surfaces when summoning dual temperature controls (higher/lower) or fan speed (slow/fast). The mode (direction) function includes an elevated tactile dot for identification.
Human interaction with Avalon’s techy audio innards works with relative ease and intuitiveness. Kudos for two large, silver faced old-school dials flanking the color screen, for adjusting sound or pre-set selections. Another familiar option: steering wheel secondary audio controls found on the steering wheel’s 9 o’clock time frame.
Three distinct audio systems (all with compact disc players) are available depending upon trim selected. XLE and XLE Plus include a nine-speaker Entune Audio Plus standard. Touring and XLE Premium trims add navigation and split screen capabilities. The top-line Entune Premium JBL (standard in Limited) includes navigation and 11 speakers and JPB synthesis amplifier.
Plug-in ports team with portable electronics inside an inlet cove beneath the center “U,” with nifty sliding cover keeping prying eyes at bay. While the three-spoke steering wheel enjoys tilt and telescope privileges, an aspirational sedan such as Avalon demands proper power propulsion instead of the current manual movement. But, Avalon scores points with power front windows which automatically slow down as they approach the closing point towards the top.
A generous 16.0 cubic feet of cargo room tucked under the trunk lid measures near the top of its class. Curved, near-top goose-neck-type interior hinges don’t interfere with on-board merchandise thanks to surrounding thick padding. A spare tire stows under the flat floor.
2016 Toyota Avalon
Price as tested: $37,885
Wheelbase: 111.0 inches
Length: 195.3 inches
Width: 72.2 inches
Height: 57.5 inches
Engine: 3.5-liter V-6
Horsepower: 268
Curb weight: 3,505 pounds
Powertrain Warranty: Five years/60,000 miles
City/Highway economy: 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway
Assembly: Georgetown, Kentucky