2021 Toyota Avalon Review

Name: 2021 Toyota Avalon Review
Brand: Toyota
Price: 24745 USD

+403

The Toyota Avalon delivers what you would expect from a large, comfortable, cruising sedan, but it is also surprisingly enjoyable to drive. There's good power, and it has an available adaptive suspension system that is responsive on twisty roads. It's also a good value because of its high fuel economy and luxurious surroundings, which rival those of its Lexus ES cousin for a lot less money.

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2021 Toyota Avalon Review

byRyan ZumMallen^{Contributor
Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.}

Pros

Lots of standard advanced safety features
Comfortable ride quality
Quiet and roomy cabin

Cons

Not a whole lot of headroom for a big sedan

What's new

All-wheel drive debuts on select models
Android Auto smartphone integration is now standard
TRD and new Nightshade Edition gain high-performance tires
Part of the fifth Avalon generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Toyota is doubling down on its popular large sedan and offering more versions of the Avalon than ever before. For the first time in the nameplate's history, the 2021 Toyota Avalon will be available with all-wheel drive.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Toyota Avalon XLE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) 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

$165/mo

$219/mo

Avg. Large Car

Calculate my fuel costs

There's a catch, however — the new drivetrain will not be paired to the existing V6 engine. Instead, the all-wheel-drive Avalon will borrow the 2.5-liter four-cylinder (205 horsepower, 185 lb-ft of torque) from the Camry for motivation, or roughly 100 hp and 80 lb-ft less than the V6. However, its competitors with AWD are almost exclusively powered by V6 engines, so buyers in cold climates might feel let down by its lack of oomph.

The arrival of all-wheel drive isn't the only change to the 2021 Avalon. In-car tech is improved with the addition of Android Auto and USB-C ports for charging and connectivity. There's also a stylish and subdued XSE Nightshade Edition featuring black-painted exterior accents. Finally, the sporty Avalon TRD gains optional summer performance tires that should provide more cornering grip. How well does it all stack up? Check out our Expert Rating for our in-depth evaluation on this year's Avalon.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.8

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Avalon drive? With a potent 301-horsepower V6 mated to a smooth-shifting transmission, the Avalon has good power to get up and go. It is also pleasant to use in most scenarios, from long road trips and afternoon cruises to day-to-day commutes and short errands around town. Braking is consistent and never grabby, which lends to its comfort in daily use.

The Avalon is surprising in its athleticism — with shockingly enjoyable handling and drivability. While not a sport sedan, this cruiser can handle twisty roads with relative ease for a vehicle of its size. Think about a mobile defensive end or tackle in football as opposed to an athletic linebacker.

Comfort

8.0/10

How comfortable is the Avalon? Comfort is a strength for the Avalon and is probably the primary reason you'd consider such a large sedan. All seating positions give you ample cushioning and support for long drives or short cruises. The leather upholstery is very soft and gives the sensation that the Avalon is more upscale than its price suggests.

The ride is cushioned and makes you feel shielded from harsh roads. The cabin is also really cozy due to the climate control's quick heating and cooling. While there is no rattling or shaking inside the cabin, road noise is somewhat present at all times.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The Avalon's cabin is a decent place to be. It is roomy and user-friendly. There are even redundant key functions located on the steering wheel. Legroom is abundant, the driving position is superb due to its multitude and depth of adjustments, and visibility is great up front and modest to the sides and over the shoulder.

As far as controls go, there are two minor issues: The radio tuning knob can be a reach for some, and a couple of functions, such as turning on the camera view, are tucked away. While legroom is a strength, headroom can feel a little compromised for taller people — especially in the rear due to the sloping roofline. Lastly, the low-resolution rearview camera and display could use an upgrade.

Technology

8.0/10

How’s the tech? Toyota's Entune system and its 9-inch touchscreen are surprisingly good. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration systems are supported. The display is bright and responds well to inputs, but Toyota tends to lock out more functions while you're driving than other carmakers.

There are two USB ports up front and two in back. The front console also houses a wireless charging pad. The car's built-in voice controls are hit-or-miss — it's better at understanding radio commands than navigation commands. We had much more success using Siri via Apple CarPlay.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? While cargo capacity is average on paper, the Avalon works out to be more convenient compared to some others due to the wide trunk opening, broad floor and convenient loading height. You might be disappointed if you're the type who folds the rear seats to expand the space because there's a sizable step up to the folded seats.

Inside, there are numerous small cubbies, plenty of cupholders, and a center console that's sizable and surprisingly deep. The door pockets are average, but there are enough other options that it's not a concern. The Avalon really shines when it comes to fitting child safety seats. The car seat anchors are easy to access, and the huge rear bench has space enough for just about any type of seat.

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Avalon is rated at 25 combined mpg (22 city/31 highway), which is excellent for this class of car. It's not outstanding like the hybrid variant, but it's still really good. During our mixed-driving 115-mile evaluation route, we were able to observe 26 mpg, which slightly beat the combined EPA score.

Value

8.0/10

Is the Avalon a good value? The Avalon offers a good deal of quality and refinement. It feels close enough to the Lexus ES in this regard that someone looking for a large sedan might want to consider the Avalon instead because it costs thousands less. Beyond the great deal, you also get high gas mileage, a good roadside assistance program, and free scheduled maintenance for the first two years.

Wildcard

7.5/10

The Avalon is a low-key performer. The exterior, aside from the huge brace-face grille, is nondescript, while the interior delivers a composed, civil and sophisticated style. None of this is bad, but it sets you up to be surprised by its hidden athleticism. In the context of a big family sedan, it's fun to drive due to its surprising handling capabilities and strong V6 engine.

Which Avalon does Edmunds recommend?

The appeal of the Avalon is its smooth and sophisticated ride, and the Limited trim best exemplifies that experience. It's a step up in price from the base model, but it's surprisingly less costly than the Touring or TRD. Yet the extra touches including authentic leather and wood make it our pick of the bunch.

2021 Toyota Avalon models

The 2021 Toyota Avalon is available in five trim levels: XLE, Touring, XSE Nightshade, Limited and TRD. All trims come standard with front-wheel drive and a 3.5-liter V6 engine (301 horsepower, 267 lb-ft of torque) mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on the XLE and Touring trims with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (205 hp, 185 lb-ft). An available Toyota Avalon Hybrid is reviewed separately.

XLE
The base version kicks things off with these standard features:

LED headlights and taillights
17-inch alloy wheels
Push-button start
Automatic engine stop-start
Heated front seats
Power-adjustable front seats
Simulated leather upholstery
Dual-zone automatic climate control
9-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility
Four USB ports
Eight-speaker audio system

Standard safety features include:

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Avalon and the car in front)
Collision mitigation with pedestrian detection (applies the brakes automatically to stop the vehicle to avoid or minimize a collision)
Lane departure alert with steering assist (steers the Avalon back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)

XSE Nightshade Edition
An attention-grabbing trim that has the XLE features plus:

Black-painted 19-inch wheels
Black exterior trim accents
Microsuede front seat inserts
Built-in garage door opener

Limited
The most luxurious of the Avalon levels offers:

Adaptive cornering headlights
18-inch chrome alloy wheels
Sunroof
Head-up display
Navigation system
14-speaker audio system
Wireless charging station
Ambient lighting
Wood interior trim
Leather upholstery and ventilated front seats
Heated rear seats

Touring
This trim includes luxe equipment from the Limited with a more athletic approach:

Black-painted 19-inch wheels
Adaptive suspension dampers (can adjust to improve comfort and handling)
Aluminum interior trim
Simulated leather upholstery with microsuede front seat inserts
Sport-sounding exhaust
Quad chrome exhaust tips
Black rear spoiler

Advanced Safety package
Available only on the Limited and Touring trims, this package offers:

Surround-view camera (gives you a top-down view of the Avalon and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking)
Rear cross-traffic braking (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse and brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision)

TRD
The high-performance moniker adopts most features from the XSE with sporty accents:

Sport-tuned suspension
Aerodynamic body kit
Lightweight 19-inch wheels with optional summer tires
Black-painted roof
Rear spoiler
Red seat belts and interior stitching
Performance exhaust

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#1 out of 13 among Fullsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Toyota Avalon from 2008-2022.}

$371/yr

vs. $474/yr
for Average Fullsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.67x/yr

vs. 0.97x/yr
for Average Fullsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

9.6%

vs. 13.4%
for Average Fullsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Toyota Avalon.

5 (66%)

4 (18%)

3 (6%)

2 (8%)

1 (2%)

4.4

45 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Best car on the road

Ron1676, 12/03/2019

2020 Toyota Avalon Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A)

Driving A hybrid limited! The car is remarkable! Load with a lot safety features at a great price. Last trip I took was 300 miles and I got 47 MPG! For a large car this is fantastic. The quality of the workmanship is second to none! The ride is very smooth and everything works like you would expect!

Good car, many options. It's not a racer.

Rob, 06/03/2020

2020 Toyota Avalon Touring 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A)

This is very good vehicle. It has all the latest features and safety controls of the modern cars today. Seats are comfortable and adjust well, jury is still out on the suede in place of leather for the seats. Yes, the front grill is a little over baring but it does make it distinctive and separates itself from the normal cookie cutter designs today. I have the touring model so I can …

Love it - so far

PML, 06/27/2020

2020 Toyota Avalon XLE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A)

First - a note to Ken A., who gave a one star review because he didn't know how to change the windshield wipers. READ THE OWNERS MANUAL! It describes how to change them easily. It is NOT a design flaw. Your parting comment explains a lot about you. I have had my XLE for about a month and am thrilled. I am also 6'6" as another reviewer was, who complained of headroom problems. I …

Beautiful Vehicle, inside and out

Steve-o, 05/18/2021

2021 Toyota Avalon Limited 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

Love my new AWD Limited. Thought stepping down to 4 cylinder to get the AWD might be a concern, but not at all. Besides, I didn't get this car for racing, I got it for luxury and legroom, and this car delivers. Strongly recommend the all weather mat package and the appearance package. Great car, so happy with it. So glad I chose this and not the Highlander.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Toyota Avalon, so we've included reviews for other years of the Avalon since its last redesign.

See all 45 reviews of the Toyota Avalon

Write a vehicle review

2021 Avalon Highlights

Trim:

XLE

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$36,125
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$151/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Avalon models:

Pre-Collision System: Warns if a front collision is imminent and will apply the brakes automatically if the driver doesn't respond in time.
Lane Departure with Steering Assist: Alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane and steers the car back if no action is taken.
Intelligent Clearance Sonar: Indicates how close the rear bumper may be to objects and applies the brakes automatically if a collision is imminent.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover10.5%

IIHS Rating

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

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

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2021 Toyota Avalon Review

2021 Toyota Avalon Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Toyota Avalon XLE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) 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.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Avalon does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Toyota Avalon models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Best car on the road

Good car, many options. It's not a racer.

Love it - so far

Beautiful Vehicle, inside and out

2021 Avalon Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Toyota Avalon XLE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) 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.}