2004 Toyota Avalon Review

Name: 2004 Toyota Avalon Review
Brand: Toyota
Price: 1256 USD
Rating: 4.7 (120 reviews)

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$1,256 - $1,900

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

Lexus-like quality, smooth V6 engine, huge rear seat.

Cons

High price tag, bland personality.

What’s new

Electronic stability and traction control are now optional on base XL models.

Edmunds says

Toyota's answer to the classic American full-size sedan is, not surprisingly, smooth, comfortable and a bit on the bland side.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2004 Toyota Avalon XL 4dr Sedan w/Bucket Seats (3.0L 6cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$194/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 Toyota Avalon.

5 (85%)

4 (7%)

3 (4%)

2 (3%)

1 (1%)

4.7

120 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

In A Class All It's Own

Evan, 03/25/2020

2004 Toyota Avalon XLS 4dr Sedan w/Bench Seats (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Last summer, My 1999 Camry V6 XLE finally bit the dust at over 250k. It had been a good car and I knew I wanted to stick with Toyota, but also was looking for a model with higher feature content. An Aunt of mine was looking to unload her 2004 Avalon XLS to replace it with the 2020 model. She drove it here and there, and after sixteen years, it had only logged a little over 91k. Looked … showroom new and was well cared for over it's life so far. I went ahead and made the purchase and I am so glad I did. This big Toyota is far more robust than the Camry. I've always heard people say that the Avalon is a stretched Camry, which is theoretically true. Stretched Camry platform, similar powertrains. However, the cars seem to share little else in common as far as their overall personas. The Camry was slightly more pedestrian, even in XLE guise. They were nice cars either way, but the Avalon takes everything to an entirely new level. Distinctive and understated elegance is the best way I can describe the exterior. Clean, crisp lines and fine detailing that isn't overdone or obnoxious. It won't turn heads, but it exudes a quiet dignity and a small touch of prestige. I just love the interior. I have a model with the bench seat and column shifter. Very spacious and luxurious interior. The leather used seems of higher quality than might be found in an upper level Camry and there is simulated wood grain trim which adds a nice touch. Automatic climate control, heated seats, memory seats, multi info display as well as touches like the wood grain trimmed steering wheel all add to a feeling of opulence and luxury. More sound deadening materials are obviously used as well. The car is amazingly quiet. I get the usual wind noise at highway speeds, but it seems more hushed. In city driving I can't hear much of anything at all, other than the radio. Gas mileage is about what I would expect for a car of this size. Nothing too spectacular, but not dismal either. Some features take some getting used to if you haven't had them before. VSC (Vehicle stability control) is a great feature that aids braking in panic situations to help avoid an accident. It is welcome here. Due to this car's larger dimensions, there is a little more play in the steering as opposed to the Camry. I once activated it in a turn and a beeping warning comes on to let you know it activated. In panic situations it will also apply full braking power regardless of if the driver takes their foot off the pedal or not. You will feel this sensation of the braking engaging. Was a little unnerving the first time with this car on I-25 in Denver, but I realized that it was a feature of the car and have gotten somewhat used to it. I really like this car so far and I'm sure with proper care, it will last forever. Very solid, quality vehicle. It's not too hard to find clean, low mileage Avalon models. They aren't popular with the younger crowd. There are many well cared for examples. If you haven't thought about it or have been curious about these cars, they are definitely worth a look. Update November 2021. Still love this car. Has had minor issues here and there mostly due to age but overall, nothing too terrible. Only gripe about driving is that I find the brake assist overly sensitive sometimes and it's annoying when it kicks in at the wrong time. More about that in a moment. Some kind of linkage came loose on the front sway bar link and produced a loud clunking noise this past September. My local mechanic found the issue and it was fixed for $95.00. Replaced front struts myself. Parts cost was about $200.00 Radiator inlet broke where hose attaches. Replaced radiator myself. Parts cost $85.00. A front driver and rear passenger wheel bearing. Replaced for about $450.00 total for both. The overflow tank for the coolant is very cheap plastic. A hole formed and a small leak developed in the bottle from heat. Replaced, but I suspect the new one is deforming as well. It is mildly annoying, but luckily cheap and minor. Had all recall work done upon purchase as it had not been done up to that point. Probably coming due for timing belt service, which is of course a "to be expected" maintenance item. Radio backlight seems to be going out at night now. Will probably replace radio. Was hit by a DWI driver on 5/28/22. Car held well but paint quality has proved disappointing. Both of my Camrys took a smack on the bumper once in a while, but the paint adhered well and may have cracked but never flaked off the way it did with the Avalon. It's as if they just painted the plastic bumper without priming it.... Brake assist and VSC notes: I like the VSC, it helps stabilize the rear in sharp turns and in snow I find as well. I actually couldn't imagine this car without it. I know it was optional on Gen 2 when they were new, but it was totally worth the extra money. Brake assist comes with it. Brake assist has pluses and minuses. The brake assist senses when you may be panic braking and pre-applies the brakes. It gives the sensation of not having brakes at all at first because your foot is catching up to the system if that makes sense. Depending on the situation I find that I either have to remove my foot from the brake to reset the system if there is time and its not a panic moment, or push the brake hard all the way to the floor to catch up. When the system engages you WILL stop, don't get me wrong, but any finesse of the pedal is gone. You have no choice but to floor the pedal and let the system almost "grab" the car to a stop. It's a computer nanny thing I still don't get, but Toyota saw some value in it so here we are. All of the other features and Toyota hallmarks of quality and reliability are there, so I try not to be to nitpicky about it, but the brake assist is probably my least favorite feature to be honest. VSC is great though because is has stopped me from fishtailing in deep snow a couple of times. Overall I'm still happy with this car and will probably hold onto it since still have low mileage and it looks good. I love the space and the luxury. Toyota did a good job with these by far and if you take care of it, this car will easily last a lifetime. Of the Avalon and the ES300/ES330 of this era, the Lexus offered a bit more cachet and sleek luxury, while the Avalon was larger and more understated. I like both, but the Avalon has really grown on me. Still a sharp looking car that exudes a bit of class. Every time I get in....I'm in love! Definitely a "forever" car. Which I'm more than ok with. I'm not that into car shopping, so if I can find something I can live with for a long time, I'm happy. As long as it looks classy and nice through the years with proper care, I am sold!

Best kept secret ever

avylvr, 07/26/2014

2004 Toyota Avalon XLS 4dr Sedan w/Bench Seats (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

I traded in a junk Buick in Dec of 2012 for my beautiful 2004 one owner, all service records, 72,000 mile Avalon. I had read reviews which appeared it was a good car and man were they right. It's been growing on me, I love this car. I commute 120 miles round trip a day so now I'm at 124,000 miles and this car still feels like it came off the showroom floor. I sunk about $1500 into it …

Nice, clean car--SHARP!

Delia, 10/04/2019

2004 Toyota Avalon XLS 4dr Sedan w/Bucket Seats (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Very smooth ride, A/C works excellently, no noises whatsoever---clean, smooth ride overall.

2004 XLS Avalon is a Keeper

Jim-n-IL, 07/12/2009

2004 Toyota Avalon XLS 4dr Sedan w/Bucket Seats (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

We bought our XLS at 30k and now have 120k. This car is truly the best bang for the buck on the road of any other. We recently had a screech when starting, and replaced starter, didn't fix prob, dealer thought flywheel, turned out to be battery! Features are superb and gas mileage is also. Driving slower (55-60) provides close to 30mpg, above 70 is 28 and less. Onboard computer gives …

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2004 Avalon Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$26,145
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$194/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Key safety features on the Avalon include:

Alarm

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Poor

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2004 Toyota Avalon Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2004 Toyota Avalon XL 4dr Sedan w/Bucket Seats (3.0L 6cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 Toyota Avalon.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

In A Class All It's Own

Best kept secret ever

Nice, clean car--SHARP!

2004 XLS Avalon is a Keeper

2004 Avalon Highlights

Safety

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2004 Toyota Avalon Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2004 Toyota Avalon XL 4dr Sedan w/Bucket Seats (3.0L 6cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Most helpful consumer reviews

In A Class All It's Own

Best kept secret ever

Nice, clean car--SHARP!

2004 XLS Avalon is a Keeper

2004 Avalon Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2004 Toyota Avalon info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Toyota

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2004 Toyota Avalon XL 4dr Sedan w/Bucket Seats (3.0L 6cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}