2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Sedan

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Rating7.8
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$37,000 - $43,300
Starting Price 
M. Hannigan's image
M. Hannigan 

Content Writer,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Excellent fuel efficiency

No Android Auto

Apple CarPlay integration

Composed ride quality

Sunroof limits the headspace

New exterior design

Spacious and comfortable cabin

No AWD option

Safety features standard across all trims

Specs & Features

$37,000

price

215 hp @ 5700 rpm

horsepower

163 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm

torque

Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic

transmission

2.5L 4cyl FWD CVT

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Toyota Avalon, one of the most popular and loved cars in the family sedan segment has a hybrid brother. You get the sporty look, premium interiors, comfortable ride quality with the addition of a combined fuel efficiency of 44 mpg. 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid is Toyota's best chance to dominate the hybrid family sedan segment. Have they done a good job? Let's find out. 

Buying Advice

We recommend the Limited trim as it comes fully loaded with features and has that sporty feeling with luxurious interiors. It is also the only trim that comes with rear parking sensors and an all view camera.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The main competitors of the 2020 Avalon hybrid, which competes in the extremely competitive and congested family sedan segment, are the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid priced at $ 36,370, Buick Lacrosse Hybrid priced at $ 38, 995 and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid priced at $31,300. To find out how these cars fare against each other and which one is worth your money, read this detailed review. 

Features
8.0/10

The 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid comes in three trims which are the base XLE priced at $ 36,650, the mid-level XSE priced at $ 39,150 and the top of the line Limited which is priced at $ 42,950. All trims are powered by a 2.5 L 4 cylinder inline engine that comes with variable speed automatic transmission. There are 4 driving modes, namely EV, eco, manual and sport.

Model XLE XSE Limited
MSRP $ 36,650 $ 39,150 $ 42,950
Features Dual Zone auto climate control Qi wireless charging pad Surround camera
  Height adjustable seat belts Heated seats Rear parking sensors
  3 driving modes Slide monoroof 14 JBL Clari-Fi speakers
  LED tail ligts    
  Entune Audio plus    
  8 JBL Clari-Fi Speakers    
  4 driving modes    

We Recommend

We recommend the Limited trim as it comes fully loaded with features and has that sporty feeling with luxurious interiors. It is also the only trim that comes with rear parking sensors and an all view camera.

Fuel Economy
5.0/10

Toyota has nailed the fuel economy with the new Avalon Hybrid. With figures of 44 mpg on the highway, 43 mpg in the city and a combined efficiency of 44mg, this is the most fuel-efficient car in the segment. The Avalon also has an impressive range of 581miles as it has a tank capacity of 13.2 gallons.

Models

2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid (XLE)

2020 Lincoln MKZ

2020 Buick Lacrosse

2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

mpg (hwy)

44

35

39

44

mpg (city)

43

25

42

39

mpg (combined)

44

29

41

41

Range (miles)

581

554

458

652

Tank capacity (gallons)

13.2

15.8

13.5

15.9

The Hybrid version is priced at $1000 more than the regular Avalon. But you will easily make up for it by saving a lot of money on the fuel. The simple math is $1,000 premium to get the hybrid with a 70 percent fuel economy gain for that investment. For the average driver going average distances at today's average fuel costs, fuel savings will require about a year to make that $1,000 back. After that, the Avalon Hybrid becomes cheaper to own than its gas-only version.

Interior
9.0/10

The cockpit is attractive and fitted with high-quality materials.-Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

The interior of the Avalon Hybrid is quite roomy. The cockpit looks classy and minimalist and is fitted with premium materials. You can also opt for all black or dual tone (black and brown) interiors as per your liking. Apart from the infotainment control console, the dashboard is clean.

There are a lot of storing options in the cabin to make your drive easier. The glove box is present lower on the passenger side and an additional storing space below the driver's armrest. Cup holders are there on every door as well as near the gear lever.

The driver can also control the infotainment and the driving options from the steering wheel. To the left of the steering are the infotainment controls while to the right are the driving control and cruise control. There is also a dedicated phone button.

Avalon hybrid has ample space for 5 passengers. None of the 3 rear passengers will be uncomfortable as there is ample head and leg room along with adjustable head rests. The soft touch materials on the seats make them extremely comfortable for long drives. The heated seats are a welcome addition.

Avalon also comes with dual zone auto climate control. The positioning of the vents is good and all around they result in very efficient cooling. The doors are also big enough to felicitate easy ingress and egress.

Models

2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid (XLE)

2020 Lincoln MKZ

2020 Buick Lacrosse

2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

Arm rest (front/ rear)

Standard

Standard

Standard

Standard

Reading lights (front/ rear)

Standard

Standard

Standard

Standard

Front (head/ shoulder/leg)(inch)

37.4/58.3/42.1

38.4/57.7/42.0

37.9/57.7/44.3

40.4/57.9/45.5

Rear (head/ shoulder/leg)(inch)

37.1/57.1/40.4

37.2/56.6/38.0

36.6/55.3/37.0

38.0/56.5/35.6

Sonata Hybrid has the most spacious cabin among the competitors. It has a tad bit more space in the front seat. But the Avalon makes up for it as it has more spacious rear seats. The head space in the rear seats of the hybrid is half an inch smaller than the regular version as the battery is located below the rear seat. But this is in now way a deal breaker.

Infotainment System

Toyota has leveled up their game in the infotainment segment. The central console is a large 9'' screen that has touch control. The screen is also a little raised than last year's model so that it doesn't have to take his eyes completely off the road while looking at the screen. Apple CarPlay also finally makes the cut in a Toyota car which allows you to seamlessly connect your iPhone with the car. However, Android Auto is still absent.

14 JBL Clari-Fi speakers with a collective output of 1200 watts make for an extremely immersive surround sound experience. Also, the Qi wireless charger can easily juice up your smartphone without the hassles of using a wire.

Cargo Space

As mentioned earlier, Toyota has moved the battery from the rear of the car to below the rear seat which has allowed Toyota to keep the same cargo size as the regular version.

Model

2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid(XLE)

2020 Lincoln MKZ

2020 Buick Lacrosse

2020Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Cargo space (cubic feet)

16.1

15.0

11.1

13.3

Avalon Hybrid has the largest boot space in the segment which is always welcomed in a family sedan. Long weekend drives or a trip to the nearest Walmart, Toyota has got you back.

Exterior
6.0/10

A premium sedan with compact's thirst and thrust.-The Drive

Design and Dimension

Toyota has completely refreshed the external look of the new Avalon. The front grille along with abnormally large faux air intakes are the most eye-catchy change among all. You can either opt for the chrome parallel grille in the base XLE trim or the Black interweaved grille that comes with the higher trims.

The spoiler also adds to the sporty look that Toyota has undoubtedly aimed for with the new Avalon. The bumpers also look curvier than before. Smoothly tapering lines arcing from beltline to roofline give the car another nice kick of elegance and modernity.

The new Avalon is longer and 70 lbs heavier than its predecessor. It looks quite large from outside for a family sedan. It also has a reasonable ground clearance of 5.6''.

Model

2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid (XLE)

2020 Lincoln MKZ

2020 Buick Lacrosse

2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Curb weight (lbs)

3638

3490

3871

3560

Length (in)

195.9

197.5

193.9

191.1

Width (in)

72.8

73.5

73.4

73.4

Height (in)

56.5

57.5

58.1

57.9

Ground clearance (in)

5.6

N/A

N/A

N/A

Wheelbase (in)

113.0

114.4

112.2

110.4

EXTERIOR FEATURES

The 2020 addition has quite a few additions that distinguish it from its predecessor and they are quite impressive.

  • 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.

Safety
8.0/10

Toyota takes the safety of it's cars very seriously and comes loaded with lots of active as well as passive safety features. The safety features are not trim specific and comes 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

The 2020 Avalon Hybrid 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. However, it has not been tested by Euro NCAP.

Competition
9.0/10

2020 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID VS 2020 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID

Avalon is superior to the Lincoln is every aspect. It has a more powerful engine, roomy cabin, premium interiors and far superior fuel efficiency. With prices of $ 36,650 and $ 36,370 respectively, Toyota is the obvious choice between the two, unless you are a hardcore Lincoln fanboy.

2020 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID VS 2020 BUICK LACROSSE HYBRID

Avalon again comes out as a clear favorite when compared to the new Buick Lacrosse. Its better than Lacrosse in every aspect, be it the engine, space or features. The fuel efficiency of Lacrosse is excellent with the figure of 41 mpg (combined) but falls behind the Avalon which has a combined fuel efficiency of 44 mpg. With a price tag of $ 38, 995, Lacrosse is almost $2500 more expensive than the Toyota.

2020 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID VS 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID

With a price tag of $31.300, Hyundai Sonata is cheaper than the Avalon which has a price tag of $ 36,650. But Toyota offers a more powerful engine, a more spacious cabin, sportier looks, and excellent fuel efficiency. Therefore, it is very easy for us to recommend the Toyota Avalon Hybrid over the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

Final Verdict

2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid is an excellent car in the family sedan segment. Toyota has got most of the things right with this car, the highlight being the outstanding fuel efficiency. It can easily fit in 5 passengers in the spacious cabin that looks premium and is extremely comfortable. The 2.5 L 4 cylinder inline engine is also decent enough.

But if you are looking for something that is more fun and powerful to drive, we suggest you look for other options. All in all, the latest hybrid is a complete all-rounder and a great value for money car and we highly recommend it to people who want a reliable car with excellent ride quality.

Trims

    XLE
    $37,000 onwards
    • Engine: 2.5L 4cyl FWD CVT
    • Horsepower: 215 hp @ 5700 rpm hp
    • Torque: 163 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.8 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 44 mpg
    XSE
    $39,500 onwards
    • Engine: 2.5L 4cyl FWD CVT
    • Horsepower: 215 hp @ 5700 rpm hp
    • Torque: 163 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.8 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 43 mpg
    Limited
    $43,300 onwards
    • Engine: 2.5L 4cyl FWD CVT
    • Horsepower: 215 hp @ 5700 rpm hp
    • Torque: 163 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.8 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 43 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$37,000- $43,300

Engine

hybrid

Rating

7.85

Horsepower

215 hp @ 5700 rpm

Torque

163 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$61,900

hybrid

6.53

377 hp @ 6500 rpm

341 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

5

Read Review

$36,750- $42,500

hybrid

6.07

188 hp @ 6000 rpm

129 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

-

Read Review

$41,810- $45,660

hybrid

7.66

215 hp @ 5700 rpm

163 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm

5

Read Review

$27,750- $35,300

hybrid

8.03

192 hp @ 6000 rpm

139 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

5

Read Review

2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Sedan vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.8 sec--
    6.8 sec13.3 sec124 mph
    7.6 sec--
    8.1 sec16.3 sec-
    8.8 sec--

    2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Sedan vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      43 mpg44 mpg44 mpg13.2 gal.567.6/580.8 mi.
      50 mpg54 mpg52 mpg13.2 gal.660/712.8 mi.
      43 mpg44 mpg44 mpg13.2 gal.567.6/580.8 mi.
      42 mpg39 mpg41 mpg13.5 gal.- -
      28 mpg29 mpg28 mpg15.1 gal.-

      2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Sedan vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        195.9 in.72.8 in.56.5 in.5.3 in.113 in.
        198.1 in.74.4 in.57.7 in.3.8 in.112.2 in.
        195.9 in.73.4 in.56.9 in.5.9 in.113 in.
        194.1 in.73.4 in.58.1 in.5 in.112.2 in.
        192.9 in.73.2 in.56.9 in.5.3 in.111.8 in.

        2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Sedan vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          16.1 cu.ft.103.8 cu.ft.-
          -96.4 cu.ft.11.1 cu.ft.
          16.7 cu.ft.97.4 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.
          16 cu.ft.104.4 cu.ft.15.5 cu.ft.
          12 cu.ft.102.1 cu.ft.5.2 cu.ft.

          2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Sedan vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            -16.1 cu.ft.-
            16.7 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.
            5.2 cu.ft.12 cu.ft.5.2 cu.ft.
            15.5 cu.ft.16 cu.ft.15.5 cu.ft.
            57.9 cu.ft.-11.1 cu.ft.

            2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Sedan vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              940 lbs.3638 lbs.
              905 lbs.3704 lbs.
              999 lbs.4380 lbs.
              1194 lbs.3325 lbs.

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