When you get in Toyota’s largest sedan, what stands out most, is its smoothness and quiet operation. Avalon’s design, vibration mitigating features and good build quality all contribute to a car that is more tranquil than many sedans that cost a lot more. As I drove the Avalon, it almost felt like I was floating on air, almost unaware of the dirt road leading up to my house. But it is more than just a nice ride. It also delivers good acceleration and good mileage for such a big car. Its 6 speed automatic transmission is quick shifting and decisive. It’s pleasant to drive, and it won’t leave you disappointed if you need to get somewhere in a hurry.
The 2010 Avalon offers one of Toyota’s finest interior packages. It’s quiet, offers quality materials, and is spacious. The cabin contributes to the Avalon’s serene ambience, and from a functional perspective it ranks a high score. The interior is nicely finished and equipped with easy to use controls. The front seats are roomy and comfortable, and the back seat had enough room for my 6’ 4” son-in-law. It all makes Avalon easy to like and even easier to enjoy. Think of it as refuge from a hectic and noisy world.
For the 2009 model, Toyota made available a comprehensive safety package by making skid-mitigating Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) standard on the Avalon. Active front headrests, designed to limit whiplash injuries by cradling the head more effectively in a rear impact, were also added as standard equipment. Avalon also has the latest safety technology, starting with a full complement of front, side and head-protection airbags. It scores well in government and insurance-industry crash tests. And in addition to the now-standard VSC skid-management electronics, it comes with traction control and an ant-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. These features make sure that stopping power is distributed evenly, regardless of road surface, and that the brakes apply with full force in a panic stop.
The Avalon Limited, which I tested, ($35,285) gets upgrades like a 360-watt JBL Synthesis audio system with 12 speakers and Blue Tooth connectivity, a power rear sunshade, Toyota’s Smart Key proximity key system, HID headlamps, a wood-and-leather-trimmed shift knob and steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and driver and passenger seats are heated and cooled. The Limited mirrors also include a couple model specific features, starting with LED turn signals that are visible to other drivers in the glass. I liked the bright LED lights under the mirrors, because they flood the ground below the doors with light as you approach in darkness. The Limited model also comes with a rear glass sunshade, operated by the driver. The sunshade lowers automatically if it’s up when the driver engages reverse, then lifts it again when you put it back in drive.
One thing that contributes to the Avalon’s smoothness is its 3.5-liter V6 engine, which might seem a bit small for a relatively large car. But the Avalon has a surprising amount of power. The dual overhead-cam V6 generates a substantial 268 horsepower and 248 pound feet of torque, and it moves the Avalon with authority. Toyota uses variable valve timing and a dual-stage variable intake manifold to generate the power. It flows smoothly and evenly from idle to the engine’s 6200-rpm limit, whether you’re accelerating casually from a stop sign or flooring the gas pedal to merge onto I-70 into traffic. Fuel economy is among the best in its class, with an EPA-estimated 19/28 City/Highway mpg. Those numbers are very respectable for a car this big and roomy. This is thanks in part to Avalon’s six-speed automatic transmission.
There’s a lot to like about the 2010 Avalon. Driving enthusiasts would probably say it’s too plain vanilla for their tastes. But the Avalon is pleasant to drive and never leaves you tired after a long commute home from work, which can be huge on hectic days. The Toyota Avalon delivers the latest safety technology, and driving it is a pleasant, almost serene process, and given its size and the space inside, it gets good fuel mileage. Anyone seeking a smooth, quiet, roomy sedan does not need to pay more to get it.
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