Since its launch in the late 1990s, the Toyota Avalon has always been an old man’s car. In the last decade, though, Toyota has been striving to lower the average buyer age — and by golly, it’s working. My dad, for instance, is now on his second Avalon, and he’s only 53!
Recently, I spent a week living with my dad’s current generation Avalon Hybrid Limited. Fully redesigned in 2019, the Avalon serves as Toyota’s flagship sedan, and one of the last models powered by their tried and true 3.5-liter V6. A four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain, shared with the Camry and RAV4, is also available, which my dad has selected on both of his. The Avalon shares its platform with the Camry and Lexus ES, but in my opinion offers the best value of the three.
Finished in Wind Chill Pearl, this particular Avalon is a top-end Limited trim. All Limiteds receive a number of premium features, including adaptive LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated and cooled seats, a 360-degree camera system, and Toyota’s full suite of active driver assistance tech. I find the exterior design of every trim except the TRD to be attractive. Buyers can choose between the classy, subtle XLE or Limited, and the more aggressive (but not overstyled) XSE or Touring. Personally, I prefer the blacked-out Touring, but I would be happy either way. I just couldn’t live with the pointless spoilers and splitters of the TRD.
Stepping inside the Cognac interior, you would be forgiven for thinking you were in a Lexus. There are a few cheaper materials in places you won’t really notice, but all the touch points are nice, and the design and material quality is top notch for the price. A diamond pattern with decorative stitching and open-pore (fake) wood trim adorn the door panels; the seats and steering wheel are covered in gorgeous perforated leather. I’m curious how well the colored leather on the wheel is going to hold up over time, but for now it looks and feels phenomenal.
When you consider a fully loaded ES Hybrid is around $10,000 more expensive, it becomes even more phenomenal. While the ES is slightly quieter on the road and slightly more plush, the Avalon certainly lives up to the big premium sedan expectation. The hybrid system is smooth and refined as you’ve come to expect from Toyota. It’s not fast, posting a 0-60mph time around 7 seconds, but it’s adequate and fits the character of the car.
Compared to the previous generation, the Avalon is equally as comfortable, but noticeably sportier. The steering is heavier, the seats have more pronounced bolsters, and the overall experience is sharper. It’s changed enough that on his initial test drive of the new car, my dad was able to discern the difference almost immediately. I want to make clear that the Avalon is still in no way a sports car, but it definitely provides a nice balance of cushiness and engagement.
Also compared to the old Avalon, the new one surprisingly lacks a few key features. From a comfort standpoint, the driver’s seat no longer has a thigh cushion extender, and the rear window no longer features a power sunshade. Weirdly, rain sensing wipers are also gone, as is three-zone climate control, though the rear seats are still heated.
On the other hand, there are a number of welcome new additions, like the heads up display, aforementioned 360-degree camera system, Apple CarPlay (though it’s not wireless, and it’s incredibly slow to connect), auto brake hold, and a heated steering wheel. And it may not sound revolutionary, but the rear seat back now folds down! The old car had no way to fold the rear seat, limiting practicality significantly.
Coming as a surprise to no one, the biggest thing I noticed in my time living with the Avalon was the outstanding fuel economy. In my daily driving, I averaged around 40 miles per gallon, which is impressive but not mind blowing. On my highway loop test, however, the car read 47 miles per gallon, and calculated from the gas pump it returned just over 50. It will still get beaten by a Prius in that regard, but when you consider the old Avalon hybrid struggled to hit 40 on the highway, it’s very much an improvement.
Recently, the Avalon has been officially discontinued by Toyota. It was succeeded spiritually by the Venza hybrid crossover and more directly by the Crown sedan. Neither is really a true replacement in my eyes, though, as the Crown is both smaller and more upscale (read: expensive). Call me old school, or just plain old, but sure am going to miss the Avalon.
| Vehicle Tested | 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited |
| Color | Wind Chill Pearl / Cognac |
| Drivetrain | 2.5-liter I4 & electric motor / eCVT / Front wheel drive |
| HP / Torque | 215 horsepower / 163 ft-lbs |
| Curb Weight | 3,690 lbs (est.) |
| 0-60 mph | 7.3 seconds (est.) |
| EPA Fuel Econ | 43 city / 43 hwy / 43 combined |
| MSRP | $44,150 (est.) |
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