Toyota Avalon

The Toyota Avalon is a full-size car produced by Toyota in the United States, and is the flagship sedan of Toyota in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Middle East. It was also produced in Australia from 2000 until July 2005 when it was replaced in November 2006 by the Toyota Aurion. The first Toyota Avalon rolled off the assembly line in Georgetown, Kentucky on February 21, 1994 as a 1995 model. A second-generation model was released in the United States and Japan in 1999. In 2000, the Toyota Avalon was the first Toyota model to feature a non-touch screen navigation system. The name "Avalon" was derived from a mythical island in Camelot lore.
Toyota marketed the Avalon as filling the gap left by the discontinuation of the Toyota Cressida in the American market in 1992. While the Cressida was an upper-level midsize rear-wheel drive car with a straight-six engine, the Avalon is front-wheel drive, powered by a V6 engine. In recent years, there has been considerable overlapping with its platform mates, the Toyota Camry V6 and the Lexus ES, although the Avalon has been distinguished by offering extra rear legroom.

Third generation (XX30; 2005–present)

Toyota's third-generation Avalon underwent a complete redesign in 2005, and was unveiled to the public at the January 2005 North American International Auto Show. It went on sale in February 2005. Toyota reportedly cut the Avalon's development time down from 29.5 months to 18 months.^[13]
The new Avalon was larger than previous Avalons in every aspect, featuring less conservative more modern Calty styling, with a coefficient of drag figure of 0.29 C_d, the Avalon also became the first Toyota to use a single piece wiper blade design. For safety reasons the redesign dropped the front bench seat option, a feature once common among large American sedans such as Buicks and Cadillacs, and in order to help increase rear passenger comfort the Avalon featured a flat rear floor.
The Avalon was the first Toyota to use Dual VVT-i in the US market in an all-new 3.5-liter 2GR-FE V6 engine which met ULEV certification and had a power output of 280 hp (209 kW) with a 0-60 time of 6.0 seconds. The engine was mated to a 5-speed sequential shift automatic. Due to changes in the SAE's testing procedures, power dropped to 268 hp (200 kW) and torque dropped to 248 lb·ft (336 N·m) for the 2006 model year.

The Avalon came in four trims, a standard XL trim, a sporty Touring trim, an XLS trim and a premium Limited trim. The XL model came standard with 16" alloy wheels, while other trims came with larger 17" wheels. Performance oriented tires were fitted to the Touring and Limited trim.
The XL introduces standard features such as dual-climate automatic temperature control and steering wheel-mounted audio and climate controls. The Touring trim offers faux aluminum and black leather interior, a sport-tuned suspension, and a trunk lip-mounted spoiler. The XLS introduces standard cargo nets, six-disc CD changer, a power moonroof, electrochromic auto dimming rear-view and driver's side-view mirrors, four-way passenger power seat and a HomeLink transceiver. The high-end Limited trim offers air-ventilated seats with a power driver's seat cushion length adjuster, Toyota's Smart Key System with keyless push-button start and entry, an acoustic windshield, rain-sensing windshield wipers, an upgraded 12-speaker JBL audio system, "in-glass" LED turn signals on the side mirrors and a wood-trimmed steering wheel and shift gear. A navigation system is optional for every trim other than the XL version. The Avalon features a flat rear floor design and reclining rear seats. Vehicle Stability Control is optional on all trim levels. Other options include a keyless Remote Engine Start, rear window power sunshade and on Limited models a Dynamic Laser Cruise Control system. HID lighting with auto leveling was standard on Touring and Limited grades.
The 2008 model year Avalon released in 2007 received a mild facelift. Rear taillights receive subtle tinting, and the front fascia is redesigned with a more striking grille; "XL" models receive a black grille. Other changes include a six-speed automatic transmission, chrome exterior door handles for the "Limited" trim, restyled alloy wheels for the "Touring" and "XLS" trims, a built-in remote key, upgraded rear brakes, and Bluetooth integration with all JBL Synthesis audio systems. "Touring" models receive a color-keyed grille, "XLS" and "Limited" models receive a chrome grille, and all models now have a standard in-dash six-CD changer.
The 2009 model year Avalon offers a few changes. Vehicle Stability Control became standard on all trim levels, and the Touring version is no longer offered. XLS and Limited leather seats now offer a Dark Charcoal color, and the Indigo Ink Pearl exterior color has been replaced with Cocoa Bean Metallic.

The 2010 model year offers two updates. All passenger windows now receive an automatic up/down function, as opposed to just the driver and front passenger's side, and a new accelerator pedal has been designed.The 2011 Avalon went on sale in April 2010 with revised styling and only two trim lines: a base Avalon model and a more upscale Limited trim. A backup camera is now standard using either the rear view mirror or navigation screen for a display, and exterior side mirrors with integrated turn signals now fold. The updated navigation system now features real-time traffic updates. Other new features include redesigned instrument cluster and center console, new wood trim, new sheetmetal, and a different rear and front fascia design. The front and tail lights now feature LED pipes and fuel economy has been slightly improved to an EPA-estimated 20/29/23 (city/highway/combined) mpg rating. The new Avalon has a new brake-override feature. It has an improved suspension system and a 12-speaker JBL Synthesis system which is only available on the Limited. 17" wheels are also standard on both trims although the Limited model has 6 spokes. Other exterior differences on the Limited include HID projector headlamps.

Safety

The Avalon comes standard with anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, dual front airbags, front row side torso airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, and a driver's knee airbag. For 2009 models Vehicle Stability Control, traction control became standard while active head restraints were added. In 2010, the Star Safety System was added for the 2011 models.
The Avalon was subject to the 2009-10 Toyota vehicle recalls. 2011 and later models come standard with a brake-override system.
The Avalon received a "Good" overall score in both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) frontal offset and side impact tests.^[15][16] In 2009, with the new head restraints the IIHS awarded the Avalon its Top Safety Pick accolade.^[17]
A "Good" rating in IIHS the roof strength test IIHS earned 2011 models the organization's "Top Safety Pick 2010" designation. The 2011 model also received the "Top Safety Pick 2011" recommendation.

NHTSA crash test ratings (2006):^[18]

Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Rear Passenger:
Rollover:	(2006) (2011)

Media reception

Car and Driver, which had called previous Avalons "Japanese Buicks," rated it at the top of a group of large premium sedans in 2005.^[19] Edmunds.com, Motor Trend and Automobile Magazine also rated it top in their own comparisons.^[20][21][22] Consumer Reports rated the Avalon at the top of its class in the large and upscale category, scoring ahead of five other sedans in the January 2010 issue.^[23] In 2010, the 2011 model year Avalon competed against the Ford Taurus and received first place from Motor Trend.