2018 Toyota Avalon 3.5 V6 6AT (268 HP) FWD

Vehicle Overview

Toyota introduced the fifth generation of the Avalon in January at the North American Auto Show in Detroit, and it was a shock for the entire audience since the car was no longer just another bland sedan on the market.

With more and more customers choosing SUVs, only a handful of automakers continued producing full-size sedans. Toyota still believed that the market needed such a vehicle, so it kept the Avalon nameplate on the market. Even though it shared the same TNGA platform with its notorious sibling Camry, it changed the Avalon’s styling so much that it looked not just sporty but it also aggressive. In addition, depending on the engine, it could do the talk, not just walk the talk.

The car’s front was dominated by the massive, broad grille. Depending on the trim level, it boasted either chromed details on the horizontal slats or a complete blacked-out element, complemented by other dark trims on the lower bumper, door pillars, and a lip spoiler on the back. Its full-LED headlights provided much better illumination over the road than the former halogen lamps used on the Avalon’s previous generation. From its profile, the designer tried to create a cab-rearward design for the vehicle even though it was a front-wheel-drive platform. In the back, the automaker kept the wide aspect of the taillights complemented by a thin red line that crossed the trunk lid.

Inside, there were many options for customers for seating and comfort. As an option, they could get contoured seats with mild side bolstering that were good in keeping them safe while cornering.

Toyota installed a complex dashboard in front of the driver, with analog dials and a digital display inside the instrument cluster, while atop the center stack, the carmaker placed the 9″ touchscreen for the infotainment unit that ran the Entune system. In the back, there was plenty of room for three passengers on the split-folding bench seat. Furthermore, the headroom was one of the most generous in its class.

But one of the most significant upgrades for the fifth generation of the Avalon happened to the platform. This generation came with the option of an adaptive suspension that muted the road bumps and potholes. In addition, the carmaker offered the option of 19″ light-alloy wheels with fat tires that increased traction and improved the vehicle’s dynamic. Under the hood, Toyota installed a choice of three powerplants. The base version featured a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated unit followed by a hybrid system, and the top-spec level that was powered by a 3.5-liter V6. The top and base models sent their power to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, while the hybrid used an eCVT transmission. The base version was also available with an all-wheel-drive system.