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Large car; Built in USA
  • 4-door sedan
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $25,000 – $31,000*


2011 Toyota Avalon Front


2011 Toyota Avalon Rear


2011 Toyota Avalon Profile


2011 Toyota Avalon Front-2


2011 Toyota Avalon Interior

Pros:
  • Passenger and cargo room
  • Quietness
  • Repair costs
Cons:
  • Audio and climate controls
  • Steering/handling

Toyota’s Avalon is low on thrills but big on practicality and comfort. In contrast, the control layout and some detail execution falls below what’s expected from a car in this class. Even so, shoppers looking for rear-seat passenger space and long-drive comfort, and who wouldn’t be satisfied with a four-cylinder engine, need look no further than this Best Buy.

Overview

When Toyota redesigned its Avalon for 2011, the large sedan adopted freshened styling and a new interior. Exterior dimensions were virtually identical to the 2010 model. Built only with front-wheel drive, the Avalon came in Base and Limited trim levels. The 2011 Avalon reprised its powertrain from the 2010 version. Sole engine was a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 that teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission, intended to boost fuel economy. Standard safety features included all-disc antilock braking, traction control, an antiskid system, curtain side airbags, front side airbags, and a knee airbag for the driver. Leather-trimmed upholstery, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless cell-phone link, an eight-way power driver’s seat, and a moonroof were standard on all models. Heated front seats were optional for the Base sedan and standard on the Limited. Xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers, ventilated front seats, and keyless entry/engine start were standard on the Limited. So were an eight-way passenger’s seat with lumbar support, and a driver’s seat cushion extension. Audio systems offered Bluetooth hands-free phone operation. Both models rode on 17-inch alloy wheels and contained a reclining rear seat. A navigation system was optional. Large-car Avalon competitors included the Buick LaCrosse, Chrysler 300, and Ford Taurus.

Yearly Updates

2012 Avalon
The 2012 Toyota Avalon was unchanged.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

All Avalons had the same powertrain: a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine that mated with a six-speed automatic transmission.

dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.5/211
Engine HP 268
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 248
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic

 20/29

 21.3

Road Test

Avalon’s engine provides ample power from a stop or for passing and merging. The smooth transmission provides ready downshifts.

Fuel economy is about right for the class. In Consumer Guide testing, we averaged 21.3 mpg. Avalon uses regular-grade gasoline.

The current Avalon rides slightly more firmly than its predecessor, thanks to a move to 17-inch wheels and tires from the previous 16-inch units. Still, this large sedan is well isolated from road imperfections, and is especially comfortable at highway speeds.

Avalons handle competently, though without a hint of sportiness. Comfort-oriented suspension tuning means living with a fair amount of body lean in corners and floating over highway bumps.

Quietness is an Avalon strong point. Wind and road noise are kept well in check, while the engine is heard only during aggressive acceleration.

Large gauges and simple primary controls make for complication-free driving. Fussy secondary controls, including those for the audio and climate-control systems, are less obvious. They make too much use of pushbuttons, instead of rotary controls. Generally high-quality materials line each Avalon’s interior, and assembly quality is up to premium-car standards. One prominent exception: the cheap, fuzzy material used for Avalon’s cabin headliner.

Front occupants get large, adult-friendly seats, with plenty of long-trip stretch-out space. Visibility is very good all-around.

In the back, full-size adults will have no problem sitting behind like-size adults. Large door openings help make rear entry/exit easy. Reclining rear seats are an unexpected bonus in this class.

The trunk is sufficiently sized for most family excursions, though intrusion from the lid hinges can complicate packing. Cabin storage is generous.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2011 Toyota Avalon Ltd.

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 - 7
70%
Fuel Economy - 6
60%
Ride Quality - 8
80%
Steering/Handling - 5
50%
Quietness - 8
80%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Front - 9
90%
Room/Comfort Rear - 9
90%
Cargo Room - 4
40%

Other

Value - 9
90%

Total: 71

Specifications

4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
111 197.6 72.8 58.5
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
14.4 18.5 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.9 37.5 41.3 40.9
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: N/A

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Front Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

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

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Audio system
Description: USB devices and iPods may not work or may work intermittently unless the multimedia interface module was replaced. (2011)
Sunroof/moonroof
Description: The headliner and/or foot wells may get wet due to the drain hoses coming loose on the moon roof. (2010-11)
Vehicle noise
Description: A rattle from underneath may be due to the fuel tank guard hitting the exhaust pipe. (2011)

Recall History

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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