2020 Toyota Avalon

" It has pleasant driving dynamics, a spacious and luxe interior, good fuel economy, and a long list of standard tech and safety features. " - Cars.USNews

The new Avalon comes in four trims, the entry-level XLE, XSE, Limited, and the top-of-the-line, Touring trim, with the prices ranging from $ 35,650 to $ 42,350. A hybrid model is also available which has been reviewed separately. All trims are powered by a 3.5-liter, V6 motor that comes mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. All the trims, except the top-trim - Touring, feature three driving modes. For the top trim, there's an additional Sport S+ mode as well, apart from the standard driving modes.

A spacious cabin can easily accommodate five passengers. All black interiors look very classy and premium especially due to the dominance of soft-touch materials all around. An all-new infotainment console makes its way inside the Avalon's cabin with a 9'' touch screen display. However, some unnecessary features like the engine sound enhancement try to mimic a sports car, which it is not. There is also a TRD trim on offer, priced at $42,375.

We Recommend

We recommend the XSE version as it hits the sweet spot for the cost to feature. Qi wireless charging port and engine sound enhancements are nifty little features that will definitely add to your driving experience in the long run.

"The Avalon XLE gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. " - Cars.USNews

Fuel economy is a very important aspect of this segment. As primary care for the family, one would expect good fuel efficiency and Toyota delivers in this front. It can munch 22 miles in a gallon of fuel within the city limits, take it to the highway and the Avalon, then returns an impressive figure of 32 MPG. With a combined mileage of 26 MPG, it is one of the most efficient vehicles in the segment.

We can see a reflection of the engineering capabilities of Toyota as the Avalon is easily the most fuel-efficient car among all the competitors, all thanks to the new engine and lightweight chassis. Having said that, the rest of the competitors stack up head to head with each other.

"The standard eight-way power-adjustable front seats are comfortable even on longer road trips, and they offer generous levels of headroom and legroom." - Cars.USNews

Design, Seating, and Comfort of the 2020 Toyota Avalon

Toyota has made quite a few changes with the interiors of the 2020 Avalon. The all-black interiors look premium. There is also the option for dual-tone interiors, black and brown, which look equally good. The overall look of the dashboard is minimal and uninterpreted. The infotainment console dominates the central part of the cabin. It is raised and closer to the eye level so that the driver can easily look at the console if needed without completely taking his eyes off the road. Infotainment and driving controls are also mounted on the steering wheel for the added convenience of the driver. 

The 2020 Avalon can easily fit five passengers in the cabin. The cabin is very spacious with ample head and legroom. The perforated seats account for good ventilation. They also feature a heating function which only makes the seats more comfortable for long rides during the winter. The wide adjustability traits of the Avalon's front seats further add to the convenience of the driver while searching for an optimal driving position. The automatic dual-zone climate control, which is standard across all the trims, does its job fairly well. The clever placement of the vents ensures efficient cooling. Front and rear reading lights also have your back in case you are in a mood to read or drop something inside the car. Getting in and out of the car is also easy as the doors are quite big. 

In terms of passenger volume, the Avalon falls slightly short of the segment standards as its rivals like Nissan Maxima and Chrysler 300 offers much better space inside. However, you shouldn't be bothered with the numbers as there is still plenty of room inside the Avalon too. You won't mind spending time inside its cabin at all. Moreover, the Audi A3 is the least spacious vehicle off the lot and hence, loses this battle altogether.

Infotainment System of the 2020 Toyota Avalon

The central console is dominated by a large 9-inch touch screen display that comes with pinch to zoom navigation features. Apple CarPlay finally makes the cut in a Toyota car and can use your iPhone for navigation, making calls, or playing your favorite playlist, but Android Auto is still absent. Up to 5 devices can be connected using the onboard WiFi connect powered by Verizon.

14 JBL speakers give an excellent surround sound experience with a collective output of 1200 watts. There is also the Qi-compatible wireless charging pad in all trims except the base XLE trim which is a great addition. Having said that, some of the key highlights of the Avalon's infotainment system are:

• Qi-Wireless charging pad
• Apple CarPlay
• 1200-Watt, 14-speaker JBL surround sound system
• EnTune 3.0 App Suite
• Active Noise Cancellation
• Toyota Remote Connect
• Bluetooth music streaming
• Amazon Alexa voice assistant

Cargo Capacity of the 2020 Toyota Avalon

Flaunting its practicality traits proudly, the 2020 Avalon features a cargo volume of 16.1 feet behind the rear seats. If you need more space then Toyota has also provided you with the facility of folding the rear seats down flat. However, it's slightly more complicated than in other cars as the seats need to be folded manually. Not appreciated for a luxury car.

Having said that, the powered tailgate lifts high and wide enabling easy loading/unloading of the luggage. Toyota has also provided cargo space with dedicated nets that can hold your precious items in one place. The bottom lip of the trunk is pretty low further adding more points to its convenience scorecard.

The Chrysler leads and is followed by the 2020 Avalon with cargo space of 16.3 and 16.1 cubic feet respectively. Audi A3, considering its small dimensions, has the least cargo space of 10 cubic feet and completely loses this competition.

"You should absolutely consider the Avalon if you’re shopping for a large car. " Cars.USNews

Design and Dimensions of the 2020 Toyota Avalon

The bold new front grille, which comes in chrome parallel lines or black interweaved patterns along with the large faux air intakes are the ones that define the look of the new Avalon. Redesigned bumpers and spoilers make it more aerodynamic. The sloping roofline neatly blends into the trunk giving more of a Sportback look at the rear. Not to forget, the quad-exhaust pipes that underline the whole sculpture, thus, adding more points to its sporty factor.

Talking about dimensions, the new Avalon is longer and wider than the 2018 version. Frankly enough, it just looks quite large from the outside than it actually is on the inside. Its wheelbase and the overall width aren't the highlights of the day. Nevertheless, the dimensions of the Avalon are on par with the other cars in the segment.

The Audi A3, being a compact sedan, remains out of the question here due to its diminished dimensions. If the A3's left out then it's the Avalon that comes out as the smallest vehicle of the lot. The Chrysler 300 features the biggest dimensions here. However, this also translates to the fact that it becomes harder to maneuver around tight spaces.

Exterior Features of the 2020 Toyota Avalon

The 2020 addition has quite a few additions that distinguish it from its predecessor and they are quite impressive indeed. Some of these highlights are:

• LED reflector headlights
• LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with auto on/off feature.
• LED taillights.
• Front chrome grille surrounds with dark gray insert.
• Color-keyed heated power outside mirrors with turn signal and blind-spot warning indicators.
• Aerodynamic front tangential venting.
• Power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade.
• Painted alloy wheels.
• Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers.
• Acoustic noise-reducing windshield and driver and front passenger side windows.
• High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass.
• Dual exhaust with quad chrome tips.

"In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2020 Avalon earned a perfect five out of five stars overall. "  - Car and Driver

Safety rating of the 2020 Toyota Avalon

The 2020 Avalon from Toyota received a five-out-of-five overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it the highest rating of Good in all crash tests and named it a Top Safety Pick. 

Safety Features of the 2020 Toyota Avalon

Toyota takes the safety of its cars very seriously and stuffs them with several active as well as passive safety features. What's even more impressive is the fact that the safety features are not trim-specific and come standard across all trims.

• Cross-traffic alert (rear)
• Ten airbags
• Lane departure warning activates steering
• 3-point seat belts for all seating positions
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats
• Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control
• Energy-absorbing collapsible steering column
• Front and rear energy-absorbing crumple zones
• Tire Pressure Monitor
• Collision warning system activates at low speed
• Electronic traction control
• Electronic brake distribution
• Head-up display
• Surround-view camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Rear cross-traffic braking

2020 Toyota Avalon vs 2020 Chrysler 300

Both of these cars stand out in the big sedan segment in the US market. With a similar price of $35,650 and $36,395 respectively, both of these cars have different customer bases. If you like a heavy car with raw power and speed, the Chrysler 300 is the car for you. But if you are one of those folks who like a balanced family car with great fuel efficiency and great safety, Toyota Avalon is the car for you.

2020 Toyota Avalon vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

It's very hard to differentiate between both Japanese cars. With almost the same base price of $35,650 and $36,060, these cars are great value for money. They are quite spacious with excellent fuel efficiency. They also offer excellent ride quality and are perfectly suited for everyday commutation. However, Nissan recommends unleaded premium fuel for the Maxima while you can fill up the Avalon with regular unleaded fuel. It ultimately boils down to your personal preference and both of these cars are quite remarkable.

2020 Toyota Avalon vs 2020 Audi A3 Sedan

Let's agree on a fact that both these cars come from a different background altogether and also serve two different purposes. However, both of them ask for a similar amount of money. The Avalon takes things a bit more towards comfort and luxury while the German - The Audi A3, is a smaller vehicle with a bit more playful character. The one that you can throw around twisties and come out of them with a wide grin on your face. In terms of reliability, there's no picking a winner here. Both of them can munch thousands of miles without breaking a sweat and also come equipped with some segment-defining safety tech. If your family is average height then the Audi makes a better deal of the two for its punchy engine. However, if you need a chauffeur-driven vehicle that you can have fun with too, then the Avalon is what you are looking for. 

Toyota has always produced quality sedans that are loved by masses all across the globe. The same is the case with the 2020 model of the Avalon. The 5^th edition of the Avalon is an excellent car in the congested big sedan market. It still distinguishes itself owing to its new design and excellent ride quality. The cabin is very spacious which can comfortably seat 5 passengers. The 3.5L V8 is fairly powerful yet fuel-efficient and is well suited for both city and highway commuting. The infotainment system might not be the best here, but along with the car, you also get the unbeatable reliability of Toyota for your money.