* Click HERE to see a video on the Toyota Avalon *
Avalon, a Q-ship?
It was not so long ago that people would have had a difficult time believing that a Japanese manufacturer could create a large, comfortable and luxurious automobile. Well, they have been doing it for a while now and they have become really good at it.
In 1995, Toyota first introduced the Avalon and it was basically a big Camry. It shared many components such as the engine and transmission. It was never a huge seller but it always retained a good resale value and turned out to be a very reliable car, new or used. In 2000, Toyota renewed the Avalon and addressed the few comments that they had received on the car: a little too bland and could use more power. They also made it a little bigger to further differentiate it from the Camry. The then new Avalon was still insipid and generated little interest.
For 2005, the Toyota Avalon has been completely revised. This year, Toyota added some styling with a bolder look, much more power and a little bit more Lexus in the mix.
The base model is priced from $39,900 for a base XLS and up to $46,825 for an XLS with the C package which includes traction and skid control, a navigation system and a JBL audio setup. We tested the XLS Package C.
Exterior styling
The new 2005 version is by far the most stylish Avalon that Toyota has
yet put on the road. It is no longer the boring milquetoast automobile that it once was. There is nothing aggressive about the Avalon except for the headlights which remind me a little of fangs but I am stretching the limits of perception. The car is attractive in a full-size kind of way; large rear overhangs, long wheelbase and large hood should please those looking for a big car. The taillights and rear-end treatment are similar to those of the new Lexus GS. I think it has more character than the Camry. The entire shape of the automobile, the subtle chrome grille and accents, the17" alloys and dual exhaust are all part of a list of must-haves these days and the Avalon has them all.
Egress and ingress are made easy thanks to the large doors and a high roofline. The paint finish presented many spots covered in orange peel, although the body panels were perfectly aligned.
Interior styling
Both front and rear seating areas are very comfortable. The rear bench could be used as a couch should the owner ever need extra spots for guests. The front buckets could use a little more lateral support. The new Avalon has a wheelbase that has grown by 10 cm over the last generation. This obviously translates into plenty of legroom for front and, in particular, the rear passengers.
Avalon, a Q-ship?
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In 1995, Toyota first introduced the Avalon and it was basically a big Camry. It shared many components such as the engine and transmission. It was never a huge seller but it always retained a good resale value and turned out to be a very reliable car, new or used. In 2000, Toyota renewed the Avalon and addressed the few comments that they had received on the car: a little too bland and could use more power. They also made it a little bigger to further differentiate it from the Camry. The then new Avalon was still insipid and generated little interest.
For 2005, the Toyota Avalon has been completely revised. This year, Toyota added some styling with a bolder look, much more power and a little bit more Lexus in the mix.
The base model is priced from $39,900 for a base XLS and up to $46,825 for an XLS with the C package which includes traction and skid control, a navigation system and a JBL audio setup. We tested the XLS Package C.
Exterior styling
The new 2005 version is by far the most stylish Avalon that Toyota has
 |
Egress and ingress are made easy thanks to the large doors and a high roofline. The paint finish presented many spots covered in orange peel, although the body panels were perfectly aligned.
Interior styling
 |