Sacramento,
California -- I've said it before: A Toyota Avalon is pretty much a Lexus
wearing a Toyota badge.
With significant
changes made for the 2019 model year, the latest Avalon resembles a
super-sporty Lexus sedan.
Yes, that's a
good thing. The sticker price on the
tested -- and loaded -- 2019 Toyota Avalon Touring four-door model was a robust
$44,665, but that's a pretty reasonable fare for what this Avalon (and its
competition) have in hand.
The new Avalon
just looks racier, with smooth, clever, aerodynamic sculpting bumper to bumper. The aggressive front end is particularly
head-turning. Believe me, the neighbors
will notice this one parked in your driveway.
Inside, it's a
spacious, comfortable and downright luxurious cabin. Adults out on the town will love the ride and
the experience. The ride on the freeway
is velvet-smooth, and steering response is quick and precise. The tested Avalon bolted around inner-city
pokes with the firmness of the peppy midsize sedan.
My ride was
loaded up with a long list of bells and whistles, with an especially
impressive lineup of state-of-the-art safety features. The bird's eye view camera/display was a
welcome addition among the options.
Most
impressive for me was the improved power curve, with the Avalon's upgraded
3.5-liter V-6 now maxing at 301 horsepower.
This power plant moves the Avalon into tight freeway holes with
authority. Hard accelerations from a
standing start are a fun experience is smoothly dished-up power.
Fuel mileage
is pretty good at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
Toyota says
the interior cabin is quieter now, and I believe it, given the easy conversations
I had with volunteer passengers who shared my praises of this nicely improved
Avalon.
So, there you
have it: A really good sedan gets even better for the new year. This Avalon makes you feel like a proud
owner, whether it's parked on the farm or in the country club lot. A solid "A" effort from Toyota.
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