2019 Toyota Avalon Road Test and Review

2019 Toyota Avalon exterior hero ・ Photo by Toyota

The 2019 Toyota Avalon is all-new with a comprehensive redesign that touches every part of this mid-size sedan. Sedans aren’t the sales leaders they were, so automakers are working hard to make sure buyers still consider them. Toyota’s efforts are noticeable the minute you see the Avalon. It has a big, aggressive grille intended to shed Toyota’s reputation for building conservative vehicles. There’s also a new look inside with rich trims and upscale materials.

It’s not all about looks, however. Underneath the new design are two new powertrains with drive modes to tailor the experience behind the wheel to your liking, along with a new suspension system for a smoother ride. Toyota also upgraded the infotainment system with new features, including one that has long been missing from the Toyota lineup and makes its debut in the 2019 Avalon. 

Pricing and Trim Levels

The new Avalon is available with two powertrains and seven different trim levels. That variety ensures there’s a version of the Avalon that will work for your needs and keep you on budget. The four gas-powered trims start with the XLE at $35,500, and standard features include a dual-zone automatic climate control system and a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen. The XSE, with pricing from $38,000, includes a piano black rear spoiler and Ultrasuede seat trims. The Limited starts at $41,800 with wood interior trims and a color head-up display, while the Touring sits at the top with a price of $42,200 and adds paddle shifters and additional drive modes.

The Touring trim is dropped from the hybrid range, but the rest of the trims remain and carry only a $1,000 premium over their gas counterparts. This makes them an incredible value, especially when you consider what you’ll save on gas.

Photo by Toyota

Powertrains

Your first powertrain choice is a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It provides ample power to quickly get the Avalon up to highways speeds. The transmission's shifts are smooth overall, but under hard acceleration the downshifts are noticeable. Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes offer the chance to tailor the drive to your tastes.

Your second choice is a hybrid powertrain featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors for 215 combined system horsepower. This is paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission, or CVT. Although less powerful than its gas counterpart, the hybrid is a strong performer and gets up to speed without fuss. The transmission is remarkably smooth and quiet, something not often said about a CVT. The hybrid also offers different drive modes, with a choice of EV, Eco, Normal, and Sport.

Photo by Toyota

Fuel Economy

As gas prices rise, fuel economy becomes a more pressing issue and it’s one that can ruin a tight budget. The 2019 Toyota Avalon achieves an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined in the XLE trim with the V6 engine. The rest of the gas-powered lineup sees a 1 mpg drop in both highway and combined driving. No matter which trim you choose, the Avalon is a fuel-efficient vehicle.

The hybrid Avalon is the most fuel-efficient Avalon ever and bests those numbers by quite a bit. The XLE trim gets 43 mpg in the city, 44 mpg on the highway, and 44 mpg combined. The XSE and Limited trims earn 43 mpg across the board. Combine those numbers with the mere $1,000 premium to purchase the hybrid Avalon and its value is clear.

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Ride and Handling

Much of a large sedan’s appeal is in its smooth ride — and on this point the Avalon excels, particularly in the Touring trim, which features a new adaptive variable suspension. This technology produces the smoothest ride of the lot, but even trims without it are still well-mannered. Bumps in the road won’t bother passengers, and the driver remains confidently in control at all times. The Avalon does equally well on rough, uneven pavement. It’s a relaxing ride ideal for long road trips.

The hybrid Avalon, though equally smooth and comfortable for passengers, doesn’t boast the same level of quietness. This is due to the continuously variable automatic transmission. The engine's sound intrudes into the cabin when you accelerate hard, which detracts from the overall ride experience. The hybrid's handling is good, thanks partly to the relocation of the battery from the trunk to beneath the rear passenger seat for a lower center of gravity.

Photo by Toyota

Interior

Toyota is not a luxury brand, but the Avalon feels decidedly upscale. As you move through the trims, additional features like power seats, suede inserts, wood trims, and an upgraded sound system become a part of the mix. But that’s not what makes the Avalon a standout. It’s the overall care and attention to detail Toyota has paid to the Avalon in every trim. The design is clean and uncluttered with an emphasis on creating an open, airy space for passengers.

Seating is supportive and comfortable with a good range of adjustability. There’s a large center console for storing smaller items, and Qi wireless charging is standard on all but the base trim. In back, there’s plenty of room for three adults, and they won’t be uncomfortably squished. In fact, the Avalon has the most shoulder, leg, and headroom in the premium mid-size segment.

Photo by Toyota

Cargo Capacity

A sedan is focused on passenger comfort, but there are still times when the priority is cargo instead of people. The 2019 Avalon has 16.09 cubic feet for cargo in the trunk, while a 60/40 split-folding rear seat allows you to extend longer items into the passenger compartment.

Hybrids traditionally have less cargo room due to their batteries, which end up being stowed in the trunk and eating up valuable space. It makes taking a hybrid sedan on a road trip a challenge when there’s not as much room for your luggage. The battery in the Avalon is now under the rear seat, which not only lowers the center of gravity to improve the hybrid’s handling but also frees up trunk space. There’s the same 16.09 cubic feet in the hybrid as there is in the gas version, so you don’t have to make a compromise.

Photo by Toyota

Infotainment

The new Avalon's base infotainment system is Entune 3.0 Audio Plus with App Suite. It features a 9-inch touchscreen that lets you pinch and zoom just like you do on a mobile device. This large screen is standard across the lineup along with an eight-speaker audio system, USB port, Bluetooth, and, for the first time ever in a Toyota, Apple CarPlay. What’s not available is Android Auto, and Toyota isn’t commenting on whether it will appear in future vehicles.

The system is straightforward, intuitive, and takes little time to master. The addition of Apple CarPlay is a big improvement and makes iPhone connectivity a breeze, but the lack of Android Auto is disappointing for other phone users. Audiophiles will appreciate the optional 1200-watt 14-speaker JBL audio system with Clari-Fi technology. It was benchmarked against the systems in premium vehicles, and the result is a bold, rich sound you won’t find in comparable sedans.

Photo by Toyota

Safety

The 2019 Toyota Avalon has not been crash-tested by either the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but it comes with numerous standard and available safety features. Toyota Safety Sense P is standard on every Avalon and includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, a lane departure alert with a steering assist, and automatic high beams.

Every Avalon also includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, back guide monitor, and Toyota’s Star Safety System. This system has enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, antilock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. Depending on the trim, there are optional safety features including a panoramic view monitor with alert and intelligent clearance sonar, which includes rear cross-traffic braking. Overall, the Avalon has a comprehensive list of standard and available safety features to set your mind at ease.

Photo by Toyota

Final Thoughts

The all-new 2019 Toyota Avalon is a big step forward from the outgoing model. It starts with aggressive exterior styling that gives it presence, so this mid-size sedan looks fresh rather than dated. Open the doors and the beautiful interior adds to its appeal with a premium vibe that makes the Avalon feel like a more expensive offering.

Add in the choice of a fuel-efficient gas or hybrid powertrain matched with affordable pricing and the Avalon is hard to overlook. The traditional sedan might be falling out of favor with families, but the Avalon gives them plenty of reasons to consider the sedan once again.

Photo by Toyota