Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
A family member bought this 2016 Toyota Avalon XLE new 6 months ago, we just got back from a 5,000 mile road trip and I figured a review is in order.
Pros:
- Comfort. The seats are very supportive and there's 2 separate levels of lumbar support. Driving position is just right as well, loads of leg room front and back. With the front seats all the way back there's plenty of room left for me if I sat in the back (I'm 6'2" and I have trouble finding cars that are comfortable in the back seat)
- Power. This thing can REALLY get up and go! Especially for its size, the 2GR-FE 3.5L V6 has no lack of acceleration, in all f the mountains I took this thing through in 9 different states and 4 national parks I never wanted more acceleration and there was no mountain it even flinched at. Also, it's shifts are smooth and thoughtful, it doesn't hunt going up a hill. When it kicks down a gear it holds it when needed and doesn't shift 100 times back and forth.
- Soft materials. Everything is soft from the door panels to the dash to the center console, no hard plastic.
- No sunroof. When this family member was searching for a car the Accord and the Sonata had to come with sunroofs in order to get some creature comfort features. This base model XLE Avalon had all she wanted including no sunroof that cuts down on headroom
Cons:
- Handling, this thing is an absolute whale. When a curve suggests 35 mph you better go 35 mph. Definitely not going to win in a slalom race!
- Shiny chrome interior trim that reflects sunlight if at the right angle.
- Infotainment system. This one isn't that bad, but some things are a little goofy. If left on Bluetooth music it will play every time you get back in the car, even if you left it paused. Swapping through features is a little awkward, just room for improvement etc.
Overall it's a great highway cruiser, just got to slow down a bit in the corners. Fuel economy was better than expected on the trip, 28.8 mpg overall with a lot of cruise control set to 85 mph, heavy acceleration, stop and go in traffic, idling for 3 hours stuck after a lumber truck flipped over, etc.
Pros:
- Comfort. The seats are very supportive and there's 2 separate levels of lumbar support. Driving position is just right as well, loads of leg room front and back. With the front seats all the way back there's plenty of room left for me if I sat in the back (I'm 6'2" and I have trouble finding cars that are comfortable in the back seat)
- Power. This thing can REALLY get up and go! Especially for its size, the 2GR-FE 3.5L V6 has no lack of acceleration, in all f the mountains I took this thing through in 9 different states and 4 national parks I never wanted more acceleration and there was no mountain it even flinched at. Also, it's shifts are smooth and thoughtful, it doesn't hunt going up a hill. When it kicks down a gear it holds it when needed and doesn't shift 100 times back and forth.
- Soft materials. Everything is soft from the door panels to the dash to the center console, no hard plastic.
- No sunroof. When this family member was searching for a car the Accord and the Sonata had to come with sunroofs in order to get some creature comfort features. This base model XLE Avalon had all she wanted including no sunroof that cuts down on headroom
Cons:
- Handling, this thing is an absolute whale. When a curve suggests 35 mph you better go 35 mph. Definitely not going to win in a slalom race!
- Shiny chrome interior trim that reflects sunlight if at the right angle.
- Infotainment system. This one isn't that bad, but some things are a little goofy. If left on Bluetooth music it will play every time you get back in the car, even if you left it paused. Swapping through features is a little awkward, just room for improvement etc.
Overall it's a great highway cruiser, just got to slow down a bit in the corners. Fuel economy was better than expected on the trip, 28.8 mpg overall with a lot of cruise control set to 85 mph, heavy acceleration, stop and go in traffic, idling for 3 hours stuck after a lumber truck flipped over, etc.
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