2008 Toyota Avalon Consumer Reviews

'08 Avalon Early Impression

Written by: tfelton on 06/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Up to when I bought the Avalon I had never heard about it but when I first saw it in the showroom I fell in love with it. It has not disappointed me. I've already taken it on a 3100+ mile trip and it drives just the way I want a car to drive: a good solid, comfortable, and predictable feeling. I don't need a lot of gadgets in the car to keep me happy so the Avalon has plenty to keep me occupied. I consider the styling simple, or classic, so it will look good 10 or 20 years from now. Power is excellent and my mpg on the 3100+ 10-day trip was 29.83 over all which included 4 days of city driving.

Favorite Features

Too many to list but the handling, overall ride, interior comfort both front and back, and sound system with XM radio top the list.

Suggested Improvements

I took off the OEM tires and replaced them with Goodyear Assurance TripleTreds; a backup camera would be nice since there's a screen on the dash; and the auto-dimming rearview mirrors could be dimmer.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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A thinking person's Lexus

Written by: rdw_audiofossil on 06/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

This is my 2nd Avalon Limited. The car seats five full-size adults in comfort, with heated and cooled front seats, a terrific stereo, bluetooth connectivity, dynamic laser cruise control, and a respectable navigation system. Controls are easy to use (except the nav joystick) and the car is aesthetically pleasing inside and out. The ride is generally smooth, but suffers over rough pavement. The six speed gearbox and engine are smooth as silk. The exterior noise level is phenomenally low, and the gas mileage is exceptional for a car this size. Essentially, a near equivalent to a Lexus GS, with more legroom, better gas mileage, and more storage space, for $20,000 less.

Favorite Features

Bluetooth phone link. JBL stereo with ASL and aux plug for iPod. Electric Seat cushion extender for driver (extra thigh support). Auto headlights and rain-sensor wipers. Heated and cooled front seats. Keyless entry and engine start. Dual seat/mirror memory tied to remotes. Flat rear seat floor.

Suggested Improvements

Telescoping/tilting steering wheel is manual -- should be powered & tied to seat memory. Full iPod connectivity. Heated rear seats. An all-wheel drive option (means sacrificing flat rear floor, though).

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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An Excellent Car

Written by: Doug Vanden Heuvel on 06/12/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

My Avalon is probably the best vehicle I have ever owned. I traded in a 2004 BMW high performance 330I on this car (I loved that car but it was impractical for my family). This car has 33 more horsepower, dual exhaust, tons more room, only weighs 150 more lbs. than the Beemer, hands free phone, comfort is excellent, it's very quiet and feels very safe on the road. With my driving style I'm getting overall gas mileage of 30 mpg. Normally I stay 5-10 miles per hour over the speed limit.

Favorite Features

Ride, comfort, MPG! Sound system

Suggested Improvements

Styling could be improved.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Paint chipping on hood?

Written by: Whodatt_99 on 05/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon XLS 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Have a 2008 Avalon XLS, dark maroon with cream leather interior. Absolutely beautiful car inside and out. Extremely smooth ride and good horsepower when you need it. Big problem is the paint on the hood. Tiny chips have been appearing and the car only has 11,000 on it. My 2001 Tahoe has zero chips on hood and 136,000 miles on it. Either the paint or the application process is crappy, or maybe the clear coat is too thin. That is my only complaint but it is a big one.

Favorite Features

Comfortable seats, extremely smooth ride.

Suggested Improvements

Better quality paint or better paint application process. Need a bit more head room in models with sun roof - I am 6'3" and have no excess headroom; almost didn't buy the car because of it.

10 out 12 people found this review helpful

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Not what I paid for/lemon

Written by: carlosjay on 05/27/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Since day one I am having transmission problems. The dealer keeps on saying there is nothing wrong with the vehicle, but there is. It slows down too quickly when your foot is removed from the gas pedal. Sooner or later I will be rear-ended. I am in arbitration now. I was told by a Toyota the tech to drive aggressively. That is against the law. As of now I am due for an arbitration hearing.

Favorite Features

My wife loves this car and finds it more comfortable than a more expensive car we drive. I wish they had found a fix for this beautiful top of the liner. As long as there is a problem, I am not happy.

Suggested Improvements

This is a complete vehicle which can hardly be improved. The nav is great and it looks very good. I wish it were safer and that the transmission problem could be fixed so that we could keep it.

5 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Not the ride of my life

Written by: Bruce Merda on 05/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Had an '03, loved it. From the specs the '08 should be even better. It is in every way except the ride. If you're on smooth blacktop fine, any other surface you will feel via the seat each tar strip, pavement crack, bump, and if you hit a hole... oh my! I drive 55 Ca. freeway miles a day. Hate the ride every mile. Suspension way too stiff for Toyota's luxury flagship, just jar & jolt. 17" wheels don't help either. 16" means more absorbing rubber and a softer ride. They need to quit trying to build cars to satisfy the specification desires of some auto magazines testers whose standards are usually race track handling, the biggest wheels & lots of hpwr. The Avalon isn't a sports car!

Favorite Features

The option package for the Limited is the only way to go. A/C through the seats... ahh! Great stereo, comfy seats, auto backseat sunshade, keyless entry, plenty of power, getting about 24 MPG, huge trunk & glove box, bluetooth for telephone, MP3 plays through stereo. Good forward vision.

Suggested Improvements

Fix the ride. Stay with 16" wheels. Split fold-down back seats. 6 speed tranny can't make up it's mind to up or down shift sometimes. Oh and fix the ride!

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Better than Reports

Written by: 2-avalon owner on 05/22/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon XLS 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

This is my second Avalon and both have been wonderful cars, the first got crashed, although both have been wonderful cars. I just took a trip to the Grand Canyon from southern CA, and averaged 31.7 MPG with the cruise control set at 70 MPH. I have not taken a trip that I have attained less than 29 MPG. This is a well engineered car great handling and comfort, lots of luggage space. This car pretty much has it all. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Favorite Features

Comfort

Suggested Improvements

None

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Satisfied driver

Written by: Satisfied driver on 05/08/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

This car is a Lexus in disguise, actually it is better than the Lexus 350, it looks better, is roomier & rides just as smooth. My wife loves the comfortable & smooth ride as well.

Favorite Features

The car is loaded with great features which puts it into the luxury class. Toyota has gone the extra mile with this one.

Suggested Improvements

My only recommendations are - the side view mirrors need to fold & there should be a choice of a darker interior.

13 out 14 people found this review helpful

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Best Large Luxury Sedan Ever!

Written by: TSmith on 05/03/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I've previously owned a Camry and recently traded my Solara for the 2008 Avalon. I have no complaints. I am a tall women and there's plenty of leg/head room, 3 avg sized adults fit comfortably in the back seat, tons of trunk space, and good price. Horsepower and handling are great. I can zoom uphill, through traffic and curves with ease. Avalon luxury is, at its best, highly comparable to Lexus without the price tag. It's a smooth, quiet, spacious ride - especially when you have a long commute to work everyday. Best car purchase I've made to date. The exterior design is beautiful. I am constantly being approached with compliments. I would recommend the Avalon to all.

Favorite Features

Horsepower, high tech but user-friendly dashboard, spacious interior, exterior/interior stylish design, plush leather seats, smooth ride, puddle lights on doors, Smart Key capabilities.

Suggested Improvements

Touch screen for navigation system. Otherwise the Avalon is perfect!

13 out 13 people found this review helpful

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Ben's Review

Written by: bmatula1 on 04/06/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Excellent performance, comfort and reliability. Performance is excellent for a relatively large car and a V6 engine. Amenities like automatic windshield wipers and keyless entry/start set this car apart from others.

Favorite Features

Peppy engine, good performance, good gasoline mileage. Keyless entry/start. Automatic windshield wipers.

Suggested Improvements

MP3 and other audio player interfaces.

34 out 34 people found this review helpful

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