2008 Toyota Avalon Exterior Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 48 Avalon reviews and test drives.
Exterior - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Toyota Avalon receives a mild exterior refresh, including a reworked bumper, headlamps and grille, as well as new tinted tail lights. Most reviewers find the Toyota Avalon attractive, describing the exterior as elegant, refined and distinctive.
Cars.com says that the styling changes, "which aren't evident at a glance, include new headlight, grille and bumper designs. Around back, the taillight lenses have a smoked appearance." Edmunds adds that the new Avalon gets a revised front fascia and the Limited trim now has chrome door handles, and say, "Inside and out, the new design looks more upscale and refined."
Car and Driver, like most critics, finds the current Avalon reminiscent of more expensive cars, such as Toyota's premium Lexus brand. Road and Track says "the new Avalon wears a more stylish suit of clothes than in the past," with a broad grille that has presence and a "sophisticated stance." BusinessWeek says that this sedan "looks substantial and elegant," adding that it has "crisp lines and edges, giving it a more distinctive, modern look." The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette calls the redesigned Avalon "far more striking stylistically," than earlier models.
Exterior Trims
The 2008 Toyota Avalon XL comes standard with multi-reflector halogen headlamps, color-keyed bumpers, dual rear exhaust outlets, 16-inch alloy wheels, dual color-keyed power outside mirrors and high solar energy-absorbing glass.
The 2008 Toyota Avalon Touring trim has High Intensity Discharge headlamps with auto leveling and Daytime Running Lights, integrated front fog lamps, color-keyed bumpers, color-keyed rear deck spoiler, dual rear exhaust outlets, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual color-keyed power outside mirrors and high solar energy-absorbing glass.
The 2008 Toyota Avalon XLS has multi-reflector halogen headlamps, integrated front fog lamps, color-keyed bumpers, dual rear exhaust outlets, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual heated color-keyed power outside mirrors with driver-side auto-dimming feature, high solar energy-absorbing glass and a power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade and indirect lighting.
The 2008 Toyota Avalon Limited trim level comes with High Intensity Discharge headlamps with auto leveling and Daytime Running Lights, integrated front fog lamps, color-keyed bumpers, dual rear exhaust outlets, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual heated color-keyed power outside mirrors with puddle lamps, turn signal indicators, memory and auto-dimming feature, acoustic noise-reducing front windshield, power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade and indirect lighting and rain-sensing washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers. And new for 2008, the Limited gets new chrome handles.
