2010 Toyota Avalon
- 2009 Toyota Avalon
- Used Toyota Avalon
Based on analysis of 57 Avalon reviews and test drives.
Toyota Avalon - What the Auto Press Says
The 2010 Toyota Avalon ranks 1 out of 7 Affordable Large Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 57 published reviews and test drives of the Toyota Avalon, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
Sales of the Avalon have been halted while Toyota addresses a problem with the car's accelerator. For more information on the Toyota recall, including how it affects our rankings, please see our Toyota Recall page.
The Toyota Avalon offers a combination of low long-term cost of ownership and a reasonable purchase price. The car comes into 2010 unchanged. It's far from the most exciting car in the class, but it boasts a smooth ride, an interior that wouldn't be out of place in a luxury car, and bulletproof reliability.
Shoppers looking for a full-size sedan face more choices this year, with a new Ford Taurus earning a lot of positive press. But the best value of the group may still be the Toyota Avalon. Inside its spacious cabin, the Avalon can feel like a luxury car. Its upscale interior and quiet, well-cushioned ride wouldn't be out of place in the Lexus lineup.
Its driving dynamics, however, would. Rivals like the Chrysler 300 offer powerful V8s. The new Taurus is available with a powerful twin-turbo V6 that replicates the power of a V8 with better fuel efficiency. The Avalon, however, comes only with a simple V6. It's reliable, and gives the Toyota enough power to pass at highway speed, but it doesn't give the same confident acceleration as some of its competitors.
The Avalon's up-front purchase price is also higher than some similar cars, but large car prices have been rising quickly in recent years, and its price tag no longer stands out much. The Avalon offers a lot for the money -- and is more reliable and fuel-efficient than many competitors, allowing buyers to recoup some of that cost.
If it's the Avalon's near-luxury interior that you're interested in, we'd suggest that you also test drive to Hyundai Genesis. That car similarly offers an interior that wouldn't be out of place in a Lexus, and a price under $40,000. But, with rear wheel drive and an available V8, it outperforms the Avalon. It may also be worth your while to test drive some of the larger cars from the upscale midsize car class. Both the Acura TL and Audi A4, for instance, are nearly full-size sedans that offer more luxury and better driving dynamics for a price not far from what you'd pay for an Avalon. But the Avalon sits atop our large car list -- there may not be a better fit for your needs.
The Avalon carries into 2010 unchanged from the 2009 model year - so if you find both 2009 and 2010 models on your local dealer's lot, consider negotiating on the 2009 car. It's no different from the 2010, but you might be able to get a better deal on it.
The Avalon comes in three trim levels -- XL, XLS and Limited. Several formerly optional pieces of safety tech are now standard on all Avalons - including active front headrest, brake assist, traction control and stability control.
Shoppers might want to note that the Avalon is included in a massive and highly-publicized recall due to a floormat design that can trap the vehicle's accelerator pedal, causing unintended acceleration. Toyota safety personnel have informed us that customers can currently purchase a 2010 Avalon with floormats. The car will be delivered with the driver's side floormat attached to the track of the driver's seat with zip ties. Customers are asked not to remove the ties. Toyota will contact buyers with a recall notice when a permanent fix is available.
In recent months, Toyota has begun offering discounts on this car in some parts of the country - something we hadn't seen much until the automotive market began to slow significantly in 20099. Check out this month's Best Toyota Deals for any discounts available in your area.
- "This car is not for everyone. It's certainly not caviar, but nowadays meat and potatoes seem to be on a lot more people's menu. If you're hungry, you don't need to be wowed, you need to eat. And the Avalon offers a very satisfying meal." -- Detroit News
- "Fine V6 powertrain, solid feel, cushy ride, and Toyota's strong track record for resale value make this a top competitor in its class." -- Consumer Guide
- "Consider that the least expensive Lexus, the ES 300, starts just below $33,000, without the space, power, and even some of the amenities of the comparably priced Avalon." -- BusinessWeek
- ""The Avalon is a good car to go unnoticed in. The styling and the driving dynamics won't get anyone too excited, but that's okay for many folks." -- Car and Driver
- "Toyota's flagship sedan is sleek, roomy and a pleasure to drive. It comes loaded with covered compartments and plugs for all your technology. It offers luxury and style at a not-unattainable price." -- Mother Proof
Avalon Performance - 8.6 (Very Good)
The 2010 Toyota Avalon is a comfortable cruiser, built for the open highway. It's maneuverable in tight parking lots thanks to light steering feel, but its soft suspension, reviewers say, gives it a floaty feel that won't suit drivers accustomed to more athletic, smaller cars. Read More
Avalon Exterior - 7.8 (Good)
Built on a stretched version of the Toyota Camry's chassis, the Avalon's look is conservative. Some reviewers like it. BusinessWeek, say that the car "looks substantial and elegant," adding that it has "crisp lines and edges, giving it a...distinctive, modern look." But most reviewers don't bother to discuss the Avalon's look, because it isn't an important part of the car's appeal. Read More
Avalon Interior - 8.9 (Very Good)
The 2010 Avalon's best feature is its spacious, near-luxury cabin. Reviewers can't resist comparing it to a luxury car over and over. Newsday is just one of many to suggest that "The Avalon's new interior is worthy of that in any Lexus." Read More
Avalon Safety - 9.9 (Excellent)
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the Avalon a "Top Safety Pick" for its strong crash test scores. The car also earns five of five stars in every government crash test. Read More
Avalon Reliability - 8.0 (Very Good)
The 2010 Toyota Avalon reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Toyota provides a three-year or 36,000-mile new vehicle warranty for all Avalons. Read More
