Interior
Interior changes consist of a myriad of small changes and enhancements. The passenger seat gets an eight way power adjustment to match the driver’s seat. For some reason the passenger seat in the car I drove wouldn’t go as low as the driver’s seat and when I changed sides, my head would almost hit the roof.
Instrumentation/Stereo
The instruments, HVAC controls and steering wheel controls have all been changed and updated. In the centre, the navigation system carries the latest in updates and acts as a screen for the rear view camera. BlueTooth and a USB port are standard as is the JBL 660 watt, 12 speaker surround sound stereo. Surprisingly, I could not find or find any mention of an iPod interface.
Rear Seat
In the Avalon, being relegated to the back seat is a good thing. With the front seats back as far as they go, there is still enough room to sit comfortably. When the front seats are set so that when someone other than a NBA start drives, legroom takes on near dance hall proportions. Add to that generous amounts of hip room, a plush seat cushion and a seat back that can recline about 30 degrees and you have one of the few affordable cars that has a truly useful back seat for all ages.
Trunk/Cargo Area
If you keep going as far as the trunk, you are going to find a cavernous storage space that should hold enough luggage for two people, for a month or one baby for a trip across town and that includes taking the play pen. Lift over height is decently low and the opening is large enough to let you put in anything short of a coffee table.
Engine/Transmission
Power for this package comes from a single source. Toyota uses a 3.5 litre, 24 valve, DOHC with dual VVT-I (variable valve timing on intake and exhaust cams) V6 that puts out 268 horsepower and 248 lb.ft. of torque. The torque figure may seem low, but most of the torque is available over a broad range making it feel more powerful.
The only transmission available is a revised six speed automatic with sequential shift. The sequential sport shift concept is nice but not as important as the fact that new electronics allow the transmission to drop gears directly rather than sequentially when you put the throttle all the way down. With this system, it seems as if downshift lag times are reduced and that you are always in the right gear.
Target market for the Avalon is the 35 to 55 age group. With this car Toyota is on target, but most likely in the 8 ring, not quite the bull’s eye they had hoped for.
Interior changes consist of a myriad of small changes and enhancements. The passenger seat gets an eight way power adjustment to match the driver’s seat. For some reason the passenger seat in the car I drove wouldn’t go as low as the driver’s seat and when I changed sides, my head would almost hit the roof.
Instrumentation/Stereo
The instruments, HVAC controls and steering wheel controls have all been changed and updated. In the centre, the navigation system carries the latest in updates and acts as a screen for the rear view camera. BlueTooth and a USB port are standard as is the JBL 660 watt, 12 speaker surround sound stereo. Surprisingly, I could not find or find any mention of an iPod interface.
Rear Seat
In the Avalon, being relegated to the back seat is a good thing. With the front seats back as far as they go, there is still enough room to sit comfortably. When the front seats are set so that when someone other than a NBA start drives, legroom takes on near dance hall proportions. Add to that generous amounts of hip room, a plush seat cushion and a seat back that can recline about 30 degrees and you have one of the few affordable cars that has a truly useful back seat for all ages.
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| With the front seats back as far as they go, there is still enough room to sit comfortably.(Photo: Toyota) |
Trunk/Cargo Area
If you keep going as far as the trunk, you are going to find a cavernous storage space that should hold enough luggage for two people, for a month or one baby for a trip across town and that includes taking the play pen. Lift over height is decently low and the opening is large enough to let you put in anything short of a coffee table.
Engine/Transmission
Power for this package comes from a single source. Toyota uses a 3.5 litre, 24 valve, DOHC with dual VVT-I (variable valve timing on intake and exhaust cams) V6 that puts out 268 horsepower and 248 lb.ft. of torque. The torque figure may seem low, but most of the torque is available over a broad range making it feel more powerful.
The only transmission available is a revised six speed automatic with sequential shift. The sequential sport shift concept is nice but not as important as the fact that new electronics allow the transmission to drop gears directly rather than sequentially when you put the throttle all the way down. With this system, it seems as if downshift lag times are reduced and that you are always in the right gear.
Target market for the Avalon is the 35 to 55 age group. With this car Toyota is on target, but most likely in the 8 ring, not quite the bull’s eye they had hoped for.
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