A brand-new Avalon sedan is Toyota's plan for the 2013 model year, and this time Toyota's steering its full-sizer in a more lively and interesting direction, with more attractive sheetmetal, more advanced features, and another helping of high-tech safety equipment.
It's a counter to today's Avalon, which was a quick reskin of an older model that's widely known for the, er, older clientele it attracts. The new Avalon's a brisk lane-change out of that rut: it's truly handsome, not quite an Audi A7 clone but with enough of that car's stance that there's no Camry vapor trail left in its lines. The grille's a fresh look related to, but not identical to, the family face being applied to all Toyota's crossovers. It's let down at the rear, where the taillamps cut along diagonals that put droop in the tail.
The Avalon's dash received special attention from designers; Toyota wanted the new Avalon to have a premium feel and look, and it shows. The cabin's theme is one that's been styled into most of the current generation of Toyotas, but rises above the usual swipe of differently textured plastics. The climate and audio controls sit on a plane closer to the driver, above a layer that's trimmed with wood grain, which itself is stacked over a dash zone framed in metallic trim. It's unique--not Camry knockoff. Toyota executives keep calling the design "sensational," and while we're not sure it's quite so exuberant, it's really a magnitude of change from the last Avalon.The big four-door carries over its existing V-6 powertrain, with some changes, and adds a version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive system found in the latest Camry Hybrid, where it helps that sedan achieve EPA ratings of 43/39 mpg.
On base cars, Toyota's 3.5-liter V-6 puts out 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed automatic adopts a sport-shift mode, and incorporates throttle blipping for smoother gear changes. On Avalon Touring and Limited models, the automatic also gets paddle controls for shifting, and the drivetrain has Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes that adjust steering, throttle, and shift feel. Zero to 60 mph times are estimated at under 7.0 seconds; gas mileage is rated at 21/31 mpg, or 25 mpg combined.
On the new Avalon Hybrid, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder runs a lean Atkinson cycle, teamed with nickel-metal hydride batteries and two motors tucked into the transaxle. Gearing is handled by a continuously variable transmission. A net of 200 horsepower coaxes 0-60 mph times of 8.2 seconds out of the Hybrid four-door, and three driving modes are offered. EV, Eco, and Sport. EV mode allows drivers to run the Avalon on battery power alone up to 25 mph, while Eco mode cuts down on throttle response and HVAC output. Sport mode adapts the Avalon Hybrid's throttle and transmission for quicker response.
The bottom line: the Avalon Hybrid has a 680-mile driving range on a single tank of gasoline, and EPA ratings are estimated at 40/39 mpg and 40 mpg combined.
Compared to the 2012 model, the new Avalon's also shrunk a bit in length, width, and height, though the wheelbase is identical to the outgoing model. Toyota says the front-seat hip point is lower for better headroom, and the seats have been improved for more support. It's also found a more compact way to install the available sunroof, so it doesn't rob headroom. The Avalon's trunk has grown by 1.6 cubic feet, to 16.0 cubic feet total.
New features for the Avalon include Entune, the mobile-app system that ports functionality from phones to the Avalon's infotainment system--streaming Pandora music into the stereo, for example. A USB port, satellite radio, and ambient lighting are featured, as are an optional navigation system, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a three-zone climate control system.
Finally, the Avalon's safety package moves into a higher plane, with ten standard airbags and a rearview camera now standard. Blind-spot monitors are an option.
