Vehicle Tested
2013 Toyota Avalon XLE Sedan (3.5L 6-cyl. 6-speed Automatic)
Driven On
1/10/2013
Ratings Summary
Newfound ride and handling endow the 2013 Avalon with a completely revised character designed to appeal to younger buyers. Reasonable, taut handling coupled with an amply powerful V6 and a high-quality interior make the new Avalon worth a look.
B
Performance
The Avalon's amply powerful 3.5-liter V6 coupled to a six-speed transmission and a suspension tuned for pre-AARP members makes for a surprisingly fun Avalon.
| Acceleration |
B
|
With 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque on tap, the Avalon wastes no time achieving freeway speed. Few buyers will gripe about its acceleration. |
| Braking |
B
|
The Avalon's pedal is neither hard nor soft and the car's braking performance is easy and predictable. Gentle initial bite and no odd body motions. |
| Steering |
B
|
Steering weight is light in nearly every situation in the Avalon, but it isn't lacking accuracy. Very easy to drive. |
| Handling |
B
|
The Avalon manages to be adequately damped to avoid feeling "floaty." Not as good during dynamic testing as some competitors, few Avalon buyers will care, however. |
| Driveability |
B
|
The Avalon is easy, approachable and imminently drivable. It's as user-friendly as it should be. |
A
Comfort
A solid combination of amenities and interior silence keep the Avalon's comfort score high despite overall stiffening of its ride.
| Seating Comfort |
B
|
Toyota does this well. The Avalon's driver seat is both amply adjustable and long-haul pleasant. Multi-level heating is standard across styles. Passenger seat has fewer adjustments. |
| Ride Comfort |
B
|
Yes, the ride is busier than the old car. But with stiffer springs and firmer damping, it is also more controlled. It's a worthwhile trade. |
| Quietness |
A
|
One of the quietest cars we've tested in recent memory. Road, wind and tire noise are virtually nonexistent. |
B
Interior
A big effort to improve materials quality and modernize the Avalon is obvious. Soft-touch leather adorns most surfaces depending on trim level and tasteful styling touches are present throughout.
| Ergonomics |
B
|
Most controls are intuitive and well placed. The audio system's volume knob, however, hides behind the steering wheel at night. Touchpads replace buttons for most controls. |
| Ingress/Egress |
B
|
Wide door openings, ample space and comfortable seat height front and rear ease ingress/egress. |
| Space/Room |
B
|
Avalon is a genuine 5-passenger sedan. Space in every dimension is more than adequate. Child seats -- even convertibles -- fit easily in the back. |
| Visibility |
B
|
We observed no significant visibility shortcomings while driving the Avalon. Rear-quarter visibility is adequate. Parking sensors are optional. |
| Cargo/Storage |
B
|
At 16 cubic feet, trunk space is very good. Split-folding rear seats and a ski pass-through are standard. |
B
Value
The 2013 Toyota Avalon is more expensive than some of its competitors, but it is also more well equipped and features better materials and higher build quality.
| Build Quality (vs. $) |
B
|
Toyota's efforts to move the Avalon upscale are obvious. Panel gaps, materials and interior assembly were good on our test car. |
| Features(vs. $) |
B
|
Feature content is average for the class. Standard features: 8-way driver and 4-way passenger front seats, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, USB, Bluetooth and more. |
| Cost |
B
|
Avalon is costlier than many competitors, but it's also nicer inside. |
| MPG |
B
|
V6-powered Avalons -- at 21 city/31 highway mpg -- are average for the segment. If fuel economy is a sticking point consider the Avalon Hybrid. |
| Warranty |
B
|
The Avalon comes with a pretty standard warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles comprehensive and 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain. |
| Ownership |
B
|
The Avalon comes with Toyota's Safety Connect system which includes crash notification and roadside assistance. The Avalon gets free maintenance for 2 years/25K miles. |
B
Fun To Drive
Few people will ever claim any car in this segment is fun to drive, but the 2013 Avalon is far better than its predecessor.
| Driving Experience |
B
|
Quiet, reasonably powerful and built with the luxury buyer in mind, the 2013 Avalon is relatively opulent and an exceptionally quiet ride. |
| Personality |
B
|
With the 2013 updates the new Avalon is a very different machine than before. Its revision will make it a consideration for younger buyers who want a luxurious 5-passenger sedan. |
