2018 Toyota Avalon

Pros: Comfortable, quiet ride; outstanding fuel economy with Hybrid model; respectable acceleration in both V6 and and Hybrid models

Cons: Center control panel’s touch-sensitive buttons not always responsive; infotainment system can be slow to respond to inputs

CG Says: The 2018 Toyota Avalon is unchanged. A redesigned Avalon is expected for 2019. Avalon is a big, comfortable car that gives large, expensive luxury cars a run for their money. The standard engine is a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Hybrids have a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine combined with an electric motor for a total of 200 hp and paired with a CVT automatic transmission. Available features include adaptive cruise control, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning and mitigation, tri-zone automatic climate controls, and front and rear heated seats. This large sedan offers many of the luxury features and interior appointments of a premium sedan without the premium price. The distracting control scheme is a mark against it, but the rest of the package is quite refined and comfortable. Though it lacks the brand cachet and dealer experience of a high-end brand, owners who can do without those aspects will find the Avalon a quite suitable and accommodating vehicle.