When an automaker says they’re going to redesign a vehicle, we expect big changes. However, we at DCH Toyota of Oxnard never expected a change quite like this.
“Bold” and “lustworthy” might not be words you’d usually associate with a luxury car, but that’s about to change. When someone says “luxury,” our mind often imagines large sedans that have styling blander than a toaster and a driving experience much like guiding a sofa down the highway. But when it comes to the all-new 2013 Toyota Avalon, the tables have turned.
No longer do you have to suffer behind the wheel of a luxury sedan that blends in with a crowd of anonymous people-carriers. Just look at the 2013 Avalon.
Chrome has long been a staple of classic luxury, but there’s only a tasteful sprinkling in this example. Chrome-trimmed Quadrabeam headlights give the front of the Avalon an aggressive face, while being highly functional with standard Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and auto on/off functionality. High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps are found on various trim levels for added visibility and safety at night.
The new large grille also sports a touch of chrome while offering even more of that newfound attitude that is sure to appeal to younger buyers. That attitude carries on along the entire side of the vehicle, with a distinctive crease and racy roofline that slopes rearward more smoothly than sedans of the past. Don’t worry about headroom, however, because there’s a whopping 37.9 inches to be found in the rear seating area—even more than the 37.6 inches found up front.
Out back, large, stylized horizontal taillights and dual exhaust tips dipped in chrome help make the Avalon look low and wide, all while hiding 16 cubic feet of cargo capacity in the trunk. With that much capacity at hand, there’s no reason to leave anything behind.
There needs to be some muscle to go along with those looks, and luckily, buyers can choose from a conventional and powerful 3.5-liter V6 with 268 horsepower, or the available eco-conscious Hybrid variant that pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a powerful electric motor.
While the powerful V6 still returns EPA mileage estimates of 21 mpg city/31 mpg highway, the Hybrid variants return numbers of 40 mpg city/39 mpg highway. Standard XLE, XLE Premium, XLE Touring, and Limited trims are matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while Hybrid XLE Premium, Hybrid XLE Touring, and Hybrid Limited trims are paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for the ultimate in efficiency.
So far, we’ve got all the basics of any car detailed, but the real story of the Avalon is luxury, and it has that requirement covered in spades. Dual-zone climate control with rear-seat vents comes as standard equipment on all Avalon trims, yet upper levels such as the Limited receive three-zone control for the ultimate in climatic comfort.
Another interesting feature is the introduction of IntelliTouch™ controls for climate and audio systems. While being a tactile delight, the controls also cut down on the number of buttons protruding from the dash, resulting in a clean, sophisticated look that matches the tech behind it.
Standard on all models is an audio system that includes a 6.1-inch touchscreen, USB/iPod connectivity and control, and Bluetooth®. Spring for the version with navigation, and you’ll also receive Toyota’s impressive Entune® infotainment suite that allows access to Bing™, Pandora, iHeartRadio, weather, and sports scores and stocks. There’s even an available version that includes a 7-inch display with split-screen capability if you require the ultimate in visual technology.
Of course, leather abounds throughout the cabin, with heated front thrones including an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Higher trim levels feature upgraded perforated leather with 10-way driver adjustment, 8-way adjustment for the front passenger, and even heated rear seats. Adding to the luxury factor is the abundance of wood trim. Add it all together, and you get an interior as stylish as the exterior, while being supremely comfortable no matter what the occasion.
Value is also a winning proposition in this all-new 2013 Avalon, with the entry-level XLE trim starting just under $31,000. Top-trim Limited models start at under $40,000, while Hybrid trims start at around $35,000 and run up to over $41,000.
With the style, efficiency, comfort, and value that only Toyota can bring to the table, the all-new 2013 Avalon is sure to be a runaway success for the brand. Toyota’s slogan for years has been “Moving Forward,” and the 2013 Avalon is a perfect example of how the brand is producing an ever-improving lineup of fantastic automobiles.
