Maybe it's because of the dominating nature of the Camry sedan combined with the presence of the Lexus division added to the bland look of previous models, but for some reason Toyota's flagship Avalon sedan has accumulated virtually no public image over the years.
Avalon has just sort of just sat there at the top of Toyota' price ladder for cars, at $46,060, competing with who knows what models for image but with a whole lot of models for price. There are a lot of great vehicles available in Canada for that much money, after all, including a couple from Lexus.
So the fact that Avalon sells as many units as it does is testimony to the regard with which it is held by many consumers.
Those consumers may be the sensible type who don't want to pay extra for status, preferring instead to get more content for their money. They may also be the type who doesn't give a hoot for Toyota's reputation for building boring cars, preferring instead to appreciate Toyota's reputation for quality. Or they might like a large sedan capable of carrying four full-size North Americans and their stuff in comfort over great distances, the way all North American sedans did before Toyota and other Japanese firms brought smaller cars to market.
Whatever the attraction of Avalon, it's fair to say that there will be more of it in the 2005 model that goes on sale in February. In the first place, it will come in two versions from now on -- XLS and Touring.
According to Ken Tomikawa, president and CEO of Toyota Canada, the Avalon was totally reworked to ''deliver that new emotional message'' associated with the general design theme of Toyota that's evident in Avalon.
So, Avalon ''is THE reward for success,'' Tomikawa says. ''Inside and out, it demonstrates a winning combination of best performance, best luxury and best value for the Toyota car-buyer.''
In the first place, Avalon is significantly bigger inside, thanks to a wheelbase that's 101 mm longer and 25 mm wider. But it is also said to be more luxurious, more refined, more powerful and possessed of an elegant new look.
As always, the matter of style is a personal taste, but the new Avalon does have a more striking look and cannot be called ugly from any angle.
Whatever its style, says Tony Wearing, managing director of Toyota Canada Inc, the new Avalon ''has been redesigned from the inside out to exceed the expectations of premium sedan buyers in every respect.
"The all-new Avalon has been redesigned from the inside out to exceed the expectations of premium sedan buyers in every respect,'' says Wearing. ''The 2005 Avalon isn't just significantly more powerful. That power has been harnessed by a new transmission and a host of advanced Toyota technology into a ride of outstanding smoothness and refinement."
Interior upgrades to Avalon include several new amenities, Wearing points out, including a sliding armrest and tilt-and-telescopic steering column, a flat rear floor that provides additional leg room, and rear seats that recline up to 10 degrees.
If there's any question about Avalon's style, there should be none about its powertrain, which features the all-new 3.5-litre, 24-valve V-6 attached to a sophisticated five-speed automatic transmission.
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So the fact that Avalon sells as many units as it does is testimony to the regard with which it is held by many consumers.
Those consumers may be the sensible type who don't want to pay extra for status, preferring instead to get more content for their money. They may also be the type who doesn't give a hoot for Toyota's reputation for building boring cars, preferring instead to appreciate Toyota's reputation for quality. Or they might like a large sedan capable of carrying four full-size North Americans and their stuff in comfort over great distances, the way all North American sedans did before Toyota and other Japanese firms brought smaller cars to market.
Whatever the attraction of Avalon, it's fair to say that there will be more of it in the 2005 model that goes on sale in February. In the first place, it will come in two versions from now on -- XLS and Touring.
According to Ken Tomikawa, president and CEO of Toyota Canada, the Avalon was totally reworked to ''deliver that new emotional message'' associated with the general design theme of Toyota that's evident in Avalon.
So, Avalon ''is THE reward for success,'' Tomikawa says. ''Inside and out, it demonstrates a winning combination of best performance, best luxury and best value for the Toyota car-buyer.''
In the first place, Avalon is significantly bigger inside, thanks to a wheelbase that's 101 mm longer and 25 mm wider. But it is also said to be more luxurious, more refined, more powerful and possessed of an elegant new look.
As always, the matter of style is a personal taste, but the new Avalon does have a more striking look and cannot be called ugly from any angle.
Whatever its style, says Tony Wearing, managing director of Toyota Canada Inc, the new Avalon ''has been redesigned from the inside out to exceed the expectations of premium sedan buyers in every respect.
"The all-new Avalon has been redesigned from the inside out to exceed the expectations of premium sedan buyers in every respect,'' says Wearing. ''The 2005 Avalon isn't just significantly more powerful. That power has been harnessed by a new transmission and a host of advanced Toyota technology into a ride of outstanding smoothness and refinement."
 |
If there's any question about Avalon's style, there should be none about its powertrain, which features the all-new 3.5-litre, 24-valve V-6 attached to a sophisticated five-speed automatic transmission.