Ride and Room - Beautiful Together
Many auto journalists and car aficionados in general decry the Avalon as feeling too domestic in its ride and handling dynamics. Sure, it's softly sprung, but it's no land yacht in the corners either. In fact, truth be known I enjoyed driving Toyota's granddaddy sedan immensely.
It's all about the ride
I don't often use "plush" as an adjective to describe a vehicle's ride quality - after all the opportunity to road test a Bentley Arnage or a Rolls Royce Phantom seldom comes along - but the Avalon has earned such a declaration. The Avalon spoils its occupants with a very smooth ride without throwing decent handling capabilities out with the bath water. Despite its ability to erase road degradation, Toyota's largest sedan doesn't wallow in self-pity when asked to rapidly modify its heading.
Such praise shouldn't be mistaken as verification of "sports sedan" status; the Avalon is a large car with soft springs. Still, the need for greater athleticism around town or on the highway isn't something Avalon buyers are likely to yearn for. Throughout my week behind the big Av's wheel, I certainly didn't. For the most part, steering inputs are immediately complied with while body roll and dynamics of displeasure are held at bay through all but the most challenging scenarios.
Or is it all about the room?
The exterior dimensions of the Avalon conceal its spacious cabin environs rather effectively. Its overall length is 205 mm (8 in) more than that of the mid-size Camry, yet it packs limousine-like rear seating; the length of the rear doors gives the presence of which away. Back seat legroom is outstanding. Reclining rear seat backs add to the pleasure of coach class in all 2007 Avalons. The unfortunate trade-off is the inability to fold the rear seatbacks down to accommodate cargo.
Headroom is generous in all seating positions, as is front legroom and elbowroom. Up front seating is wonderfully supportive. It's also heated, and like the rear seats, finished in soft leather. Cabin execution is restrained, yet tasteful. Materials in use impart a sense of quality while switchgear components operate with precision and clarity.
Perhaps it's all about the vroom.
Thanks to 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque the Avalon is no slouch, as its 0-100-km/h time of 6.9 seconds will attest (Toyota's rating). Underhood force is produced by a 3.5 litre, 24-valve V6 engine, featuring Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i).
Many auto journalists and car aficionados in general decry the Avalon as feeling too domestic in its ride and handling dynamics. Sure, it's softly sprung, but it's no land yacht in the corners either. In fact, truth be known I enjoyed driving Toyota's granddaddy sedan immensely.
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| The Avalon or how to ride in comfort and peacefulness. |
It's all about the ride
I don't often use "plush" as an adjective to describe a vehicle's ride quality - after all the opportunity to road test a Bentley Arnage or a Rolls Royce Phantom seldom comes along - but the Avalon has earned such a declaration. The Avalon spoils its occupants with a very smooth ride without throwing decent handling capabilities out with the bath water. Despite its ability to erase road degradation, Toyota's largest sedan doesn't wallow in self-pity when asked to rapidly modify its heading.
Such praise shouldn't be mistaken as verification of "sports sedan" status; the Avalon is a large car with soft springs. Still, the need for greater athleticism around town or on the highway isn't something Avalon buyers are likely to yearn for. Throughout my week behind the big Av's wheel, I certainly didn't. For the most part, steering inputs are immediately complied with while body roll and dynamics of displeasure are held at bay through all but the most challenging scenarios.
Or is it all about the room?
The exterior dimensions of the Avalon conceal its spacious cabin environs rather effectively. Its overall length is 205 mm (8 in) more than that of the mid-size Camry, yet it packs limousine-like rear seating; the length of the rear doors gives the presence of which away. Back seat legroom is outstanding. Reclining rear seat backs add to the pleasure of coach class in all 2007 Avalons. The unfortunate trade-off is the inability to fold the rear seatbacks down to accommodate cargo.
Headroom is generous in all seating positions, as is front legroom and elbowroom. Up front seating is wonderfully supportive. It's also heated, and like the rear seats, finished in soft leather. Cabin execution is restrained, yet tasteful. Materials in use impart a sense of quality while switchgear components operate with precision and clarity.
Perhaps it's all about the vroom.
Thanks to 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque the Avalon is no slouch, as its 0-100-km/h time of 6.9 seconds will attest (Toyota's rating). Underhood force is produced by a 3.5 litre, 24-valve V6 engine, featuring Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i).
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| This powerful engine is always at ease. |