Those opting for the more luxuriously appointed albeit less expensive XLS, and my guess is that the majority of Avalon buyers will, get authentic
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| The XLS gets 17-inch alloy wheels on P215/55R17 tires, just like the Touring, but the more luxuriously styled vehicle features conventional aluminum coloured rims. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
looking woodgrain trim, dual-zone automatic climate control with soft-touch buttons on the centre stack and steering wheel, as well as a cabin air filter and rear seat heater ducts. An electrochromic rearview mirror with a digital compass is also part of the upgrade package, as is an integrated garage door opener. The XLS gets 17-inch alloy wheels on P215/55R17 tires, just like the Touring, but the more luxuriously styled vehicle features conventional aluminum coloured rims. The outside driver side mirrror is electrochromic just like the rearview mirror, and are heated as well.
Remember I went on and on about the traction, stability control and brake assist issue? How could you forget? Anyway, the only way to get these features is on the XLS, as stated before, but with the optional Premium package, which also includes a full-size spare on an alloy wheel, a premium 12-speaker and rear subwoofer equipped JBL audio system with a six-disc dash-mounted CD changer, cassette and AM/FM stereo, that is quite awesome I might add, and a wood and leather wrapped steering wheel; very classy. You can top this package off with a
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| A premium 12-speaker and rear subwoofer equipped JBL audio system with a six-disc dash-mounted CD changer is included in the Premium package. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
DVD-based navigation system, which also adds a few more buttons to the multifunction steering wheel. Enough about features, what about general comfort? Front and rear passengers won't be hard pressed for head, shoulder, hip or legroom, there's plenty to go around even if three are abreast in back. Its 1,039 millimetres (40.9 inches) of legroom, only 10 mm (0.4 inches) shorter than what the front passenger experiences, is especially accommodating, making the Avalon feel more like a full-size car than its exterior dimensions let on. While not the largest in the larger-than-midsize, bordering-on-full-size segment, Avalon legroom is only fractions of an inch shorter than the Chrysler 300 and Ford Five Hundred, and therefore will hardly cramp your rear occupants' style.
