2017 Toyota Avalon Review

We recommend the 2017 Toyota Avalon in XLE Plus trim: It is packed with safety and convenience features, a sunroof and a very well-built interior, but it doesn't break the bank. The base trim level, the XLE, has almost everything the XLE Plus does, minus the sunroof, so it's a good choice as wel...

The Avalon is easy, approachable and eminently drivable. It's as user-friendly as it should be.

With 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque on tap, the Avalon wastes no time getting up to freeway speed and gets from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 6.4 seconds. Few buyers will gripe about its acceleration.

The Avalon's pedal is neither hard nor soft, and the car's braking performance is easy and predictable. There's a gentle initial bite and no odd body motions during heavy braking.

Steering weight is light in nearly every situation in the Avalon, and it remains accurate. It may be a big car, but this Avalon is very easy to drive.

The Avalon manages to be adequately damped to avoid feeling "floaty." Sure, the Avalon isn't as good at dynamic handling maneuvers, but if you're driving this car at the limit of its handling, you're missing the point.

The Avalon is easy, approachable and eminently drivable. It's as user-friendly as it should be.

A solid combination of amenities and interior silence keeps the Avalon's comfort score high despite a somewhat stiff ride for the segment.

Toyota does seat comfort in the Avalon very well. The Avalon's driver seat is pleasant even on long drives. Multilevel heating is standard across styles, and ventilation is optional.

Compared to the previous Avalon generation, the ride is definitely busier. But with stiffer springs and firmer damping, it is also more controlled. It's a worthwhile trade.

This is one of the quietest cars we've tested. Road, wind and tire noise is virtually nonexistent.

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.

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.

Wide door openings, plenty of space, and comfortable seat height front and rear make getting in and out of the Avalon a breeze.

The Avalon is a genuine five-passenger sedan. Space in every dimension is more than adequate. Child seats, even the convertible ones, fit easily in the back.

We observed no significant shortcomings with visibility while driving the Avalon. Rear-quarter visibility is respectable, and a big windshield provides an excellent view of the road ahead.

Toyota's efforts to move the Avalon upscale are obvious. Panel gaps, materials and interior assembly were excellent on our test car. The Avalon is a big step up from your standard Camry.

As with most cars in this class, the Avalon's rear seat is quite roomy. The cavernous trunk offers 16 cubic feet of space, and its wide opening and low liftover height make it easy to load heavy bags. The cabin also offers plenty of small item storage.

Storage cubbies provide ample room for keys and wallets, and the center console is large. The front section of the center console acts as a convenient "eBin," with power cords passing through a sliding panel for two cellphones and auxiliary and USB connections.

At 16 cubic feet, trunk space is very good, but class leaders offer a bit more room. Split-folding rear seats and a ski pass-through are standard.