5
0
Large car; Built in USA
  • 4-door sedan
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $3,700 – $8,600*


2000 Toyota Avalon


2001 Toyota Avalon


2000 Toyota Avalon interior


2000 Toyota Avalon


2000 Toyota Avalon XLS

Pros:
  • Acceleration
  • Automatic-transmission performance
  • Build quality
  • Passenger room
  • Quietness
  • Ride
Cons:
  • Handling
  • Brake-pedal feel

Spacious and posh, quiet and smooth-riding, the Avalon delivers Lexus-like attributes at a family oriented price. Approaching the near-luxury league in features, comfort, and functional roadability, it could be the best full-size sedan on the market.

Overview

America’s sole import-brand full-size sedan earned a redesign for 2000. Styling was fresh, and the body gained about an inch in both width and height, but chassis specifications did not change. Toyota’s 3.0-liter V6 engine and 4-speed automatic transmission returned from the first generation, but incorporating VVT-i variable-valve timing and other modifications added 10 horsepower. Antilock braking and side-impact airbags again were standard. Vehicle Skid Control and Brake Assist systems, respectively designed to activate individual brakes to counteract skids and automatically apply full braking force in emergency stops, became optional for the XLS sedan. Avalons came with a choice of front seating: buckets or a split bench. Options included leather upholstery, power seats, and a power moonroof. New standard features included dual-zone temperature control and a trunk pass-through for carrying long items. The XLS added aluminum wheels, a compass and trip computer, automatic temperature control, and a ventilation microfilter. New individual options included memory power seats, a “Homelink” remote garage-door opener, and a 115-volt AC power outlet inside the car.

Yearly Updates

2001 Avalon
Toyota’s full-size sedan was unchanged in the second season of its second-generation form.
2002 Avalon
There were no significant changes for 2002.
2003 Avalon
All models got styling changes front and rear and new-look gauges. Optional on XLS was a DVD navigation system with dashboard screen and remote control. XLS also gained standard rain-sensing windshield wipers.
2004 Avalon
The only change for Avalons this year is an antiskid/traction control system and full-power brake assist available on the XL and XLS.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

All Avalons used the same powertrain: a 3.0-liter dual-overhead-cam V6 engine and 4-speed automatic transmission.

dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/181
Engine HP 210
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 220
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 21/29

 21.0

Road Test

Toyota sought quieter running in the reworked Avalon, and handily achieved that goal. Except for mild tire rumble over very coarse pavement, this Avalon is a pleasantly hushed automobile. Even hard acceleration produces only a distant, rich engine sound. Acceleration is a tad better than before, thanks to little-changed weight and 10 extra horsepower–sufficient for nearly any situation. A test Avalon reached 60 mph in 8.3 seconds, and also averaged 21 mpg. The responsive automatic transmission is glassy smooth. Premium fuel is advised. Not only is the ride comfortable–close to plush, in fact–but drivers enjoy improved body control and firmer, more-communicative steering. The new Avalon dashes through twisty roads with almost sports-sedan poise–well-ahead of domestic rivals. Only a couple of quibbles have come up, including a bit of body drumming over rough patches, and slightly unprogressive pedal action in routine braking. In the seriously spacious interior, 6-footers can ride in tandem, with plenty of leg-stretching room for both. Higher-set seats are matched by a raised roofline that provides fine all-around head room. Three adults fit adequately on front and back seats, though middle riders must straddle a hump and may lack foot room. Rear entry/exit is easy enough, and all seats are comfortably supportive. Though not as long as the old Avalon’s trunk, the new one is taller with plenty of space. Climate and audio controls couldn’t be better, but the steering-wheel rim can obscure the tops of gauges without some juggling of seat and wheel. Abundant space is provided for small-item stowage, including a massive glovebox. Visibility is good despite hard-to-see rear body corners, and mirrors are usefully large.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2001 Toyota Avalon XLS

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 5
50%
Fuel Economy - 5
50%
Ride Quality - 7
70%
Steering/Handling - 5
50%
Quietness - 7
70%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 8
80%
Room/Comfort Front - 8
80%
Room/Comfort Rear - 8
80%
Cargo Room - 4
40%

Other

Value - 7
70%

Total: 64

Specifications

4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
107.1 191.9 71.7 57.7
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
15.9 18.5 6
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.7 37.9 41.7 40.1
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2000 Avalon 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 3
60%
Front Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Rear Passenger Injury - 5
100%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 76
Injury 66
Theft 58

Trouble Spots

Sunroof/moonroof
Description: The moon roof may make noise because the silencer pads come loose and get wedged in the slider assembly. A revised pad was being installed under warranty. (2000)
Water leak
Description: Water leaks at the A-pillar (between windshield and front door) require sealing in the upper-corner joint area. (2000)
Water leak
Description: Water leaks into trunk due to loose or missing air duct flaps. (2001)

Recall History

2000
Description: On certain cars, due to improper heat treatment, rear axle may not have adequate strength in some areas; shafts could fail or break after extended use.
2000-04
Description: Due to improper casting of the steering lock bar, there is a possibility that a minute crack may develop on the surface of the lock bar. Such a crack may expand over a long period of repeated lock and unlock operations, and eventually the lock bar could break. Should this occur, the steering wheel would lock and the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the steering interlock device free of charge.
2001
Description: Front-subframe assembly on small number of vehicles was not adequately welded and could fail.
2004 Avalon with 1MZ-FE or 3MZ-FE engine
Description: Inadequate adhesive between outer and inner ring in the crankshaft pulley could lead misalignment, causing noise, illumination of the battery discharge indicator light, and/or loss of power steering.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 30, 2014.
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