The 2018 Toyota Avalon Touring mid-premium sedan is my kind of car.
It’s Toyota’s flagship sedan, which means all the bells and whistles – it’s a virtual Lexus in disguise. It’s got some size to it, which translates to comfort for up to five passengers and a golf-ready trunk.
And even though the price tag is still substantial, you are saving tens of thousands of dollars compared to its luxury nameplate cousin.
The fifth-generation, the Avalon has received an all-encompassing makeover that includes a number of Toyota-firsts including standard Apple CarPlay, dynamic auxiliary turn signals, available authentic Yamaha wood and aluminum cabin accents and engine sound enhancement.
In addition, drivers will appreciate the standard passive and active safety benefits through Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), as well as athletic handling thanks to its available adaptive variable suspension.
Avalon is powered by a 3.5-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, direct-inject V6 engine mated to a direct-shift, eight-speed automatic transmission. The combination generates 301-horsepower and somehow manages 31 miles per gallon down the highway as rated by the EPA.
My brother and neighbor were stuck in I-5 traffic for the better part of two and a half hours en route to the Seahawks preseason game against the Colts, and it wasn’t that much of a hardship. The seats were easy-chair comfortable, climate-control was spot-on, and road noise was at a minimum, allowing for normal voice conversation.
When it comes to creature comforts, Avalon pampers with the best. The highlights were JBL audio with 14 speakers, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, ultra-suede heated and ventilated front seats, navigation system, rear-view camera, dynamic radar cruise control, Bluetooth, four USB ports and push-button start.
But it’s the little things – the details – that really set the Avalon apart. Items like LED headlights with adaptive cornering and on-off, heated outside mirrors, a heads-up display, power lumbar support, Softex and ultra-suede seats, dual exhaust with quad chrome tips, power tilt/slide moon roof and more.
Safety Sense includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, anti-theft system, auto high beams and more. My tester came with an optional advanced safety package ($1,150) that added intelligent clearance sonar, bird’s-eye-view camera with perimeter scan and rear cross-traffic alert with braking.
And, for those of you concerned about such things, Avalon’s sole manufacturing home has been Toyota Motor Manufacturing, in Georgetown, Ky. All Avalons sold in America and around the globe are assembled in Georgetown by about 8,000 proud American team members.
Avalon comes in four trims: the athletic XSE (all-new) and Touring, as well as the more opulent XLE and Limited. Hybrid grades include XLE, Limited and XSE.
Base Price: $42,200
Price As Driven: $44,913
Base price includes destination charge. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. Prices may vary at local dealerships.
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