2021 Toyota Avalon

Pros: Comfortable, quiet ride; impressive EPA fuel-economy numbers with Hybrid model; good acceleration in both V6 and Hybrid models

Cons: Rear-seat headroom is tight for tall passengers; small trunk pass-through when rear seatbacks are folded; polarizing front-end styling

CG Says: The 2021 Toyota Avalon adds all-wheel-drive models. However, buyers give up Avalon’s V6 power for a 4-cylinder engine to get all-wheel drive. The Hybrid trades its nickel-hydride battery for a more compact lithium-ion battery. Also, Android Auto functionality has been added. The Avalon is a large sedan that was redesigned for 2019 and shares its basic platform with Toyota’s midsize Camry. The Avalon model lineup is comprised of luxury-oriented XLE and Limited trim levels, sportier XSE and Touring offerings, and the sportier still TRD with lowered sport suspension, uprated brakes, and unique trim. The XSE and Touring have unique styling and firmer suspension, with adaptive variable suspension standard on Touring. Standard on all front-wheel-drive gas-engine Avalons is a 3.5-liter V6 that is rated at 301 horsepower. The all-wheel-drive models are powered by a 205-hp 4-cylinder engine. Both gas engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission There are also hybrid versions of the XLE, XSE, and Limited trims; they have a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine combined with an electric motor for a total of 215 hp. The hybrid powertrain is paired with a CVT automatic transmission. Available safety features include forward-collision warning and mitigation with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning and mitigation, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot alert, and rear-cross-traffic alert. Technology features include Apple CarPlay, and now Android Auto, smartphone connectivity and Toyota’s Remote Connect feature with Amazon Alexa car-to-house and house-to-car connectivity. Other available features include wireless cell-phone charging, heated power-adjustable steering wheel, 360-degree camera, and LED headlights. With the strong shift in consumer preferences to SUVs and crossovers, the traditional large sedan is something of an endangered species these days, but Toyota is keeping the faith with this all-new Avalon. If you’re not interested in a crossover/SUV or the latest genre-bending whatchamacallit, the redesigned Avalon impresses as a “real” car that delivers a comfortable ride, smooth and responsive powertrains, and an up-to-date roster of high-tech convenience and safety features.