Upscale touches, extra equipment, and a new everthing help the next-gen Avalon feel even classier
by Jonathan Lopez, on LISTEN 15:24First introduced in 1994, the Toyota Avalon is the Japanese brand’s full-size sedan offering, seeing sales in North America, Puerto Rico, and the Middle East. Since its debut at the Chicago Auto Show back in the ’90s, a total of four generations have come and gone, and now, there’s a brand-new fifth-gen heading for the dealer lots. First making the scene at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, the 2019 Avalon is framed as “attainable premium,” or “mid-premium,” and Toyota hopes it’ll entice customers with an upscale, comfortable four-door package that won’t break the bank. Truth be told, the sedan bodystyle (especially full-size sedans) can be a hard sell these days, as consumers usually fulfill their seating-for-five requirements with some kind of high-riding SUV or crossover. Despite this, Toyota is confident the 2019 Avalon will be an exception to the rule thanks to its extensive list of upgrades, which include a variety of luxurious touches and technology enhancements that almost lend it a feeling of “Germaness” on the surface. Dig deeper, though, and you’ll find the Avalon stays true to its Japanese roots, with unique charactersitics throughout, as well as a hybrid option for those looking for extra dollars saved at the pump.
The new Avalon will go on sale later this spring, but until then, read on for the details.
Continue reading for the full story.
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2019 Toyota Avalon
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Year:2019
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Make:
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Model:
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Engine:V6
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Displacement:3.5 L
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Top Speed:130 mph
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Price:
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car segment:
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size:
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Purpose:
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body style:
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Overall:7.5/10
Exterior
- * Larger front grille
- * Greater aero efficiency
- * LED lighting elements front to back
- * Wheel sizing between 17 and 19 inches
- * Extra paint options
- * Bigger exterior dimensions
In a bid to make the 2019 Avalon give off those upscale, premium vibes, Toyota started with the way it's styled
In a bid to make the 2019 Avalon give off those upscale, premium vibes, Toyota started with the way it’s styled. Indeed, this new sedan looks quite a bit different than the four-door that came before, so let’s dive into the specifics.
The first thing to jump out can be found on the front end of the car, or rather, it’s the entire front end of the car. Of course, I’m talking about the grille, which sees a considerable size increase over the fourth-generation’s primary intake. And that’s saying something, because the old grille was already rather large. By contrast, the grille in the 2019 model year Avalon is downright astronomical in scope, dominating the entire nose of the car with a single unending black mesh insert.
The grille in the 2019 model year Avalon is downright astronomical in scope, dominating the entire nose of the car with a single unending black mesh insert.
Toyota says the front end prioritizes “aerodynamic efficiency, cooling, and pedestrian protection,” but we can’t see anything beyond that insanely big grille. Of course, styling is always a subjective thing, and we’ll take a striking, off-the-wall design over something boring any day of the week, so it’s really up to the individual to decide if it works or not.
Make it past the grille without accidentally falling in or getting lost, and you’ll find slim vertical side intakes in the corners of the bumper, features which Toyota assert are actually functional for aero efficiency purposes. The overhangs are now shorter as well, while the headlight housings are crisp and more geometric, offering three individual reflectors – one for the daytime running lights, one for the low beams, and the third for the high beams. There are also adaptive cornering lamps for better visibility around turns, and available LED elements for the main beams, plus dynamic turn signals for an extra splash of lighting coolness. Up top, an aluminum hood takes a little extra weight off the nose.
Moving to the car’s flanks, we find a dual set of character lines, on higher and one lower, both of which add to the car’s visual beefiness. Wheel sizing ranges between 17 and 19 inches, with a selection of interesting designs to choose from. In back, there’s an unbroken 3D “aero fin” style design for the taillights, once again employing LEDs for the lighting element. There’s also a subtle trailing trunk spoiler offered, depending on the trim level.
All told, the updates make the Avalon appear fresh and upscale, doing away with the rounded look of the older model in favor of sharper edges that remind us of a Lexus.
All told, the updates make the Avalon appear fresh and upscale, doing away with the rounded look of the older model in favor of sharper edges and elements that remind us a bit of what Toyota’s design team is doing in the Lexus camp. The updates make the Avalon more aero-efficient as well, reducing the coefficient of drag to 0.27 from the previous model’s 0.28. And that’s always a good thing, and should be expected coming from the same company that makes the highly aero-efficient Prius.
While most of the Avalon line looks pretty much identical, there are a few small coloring and styling differences that help to differentiate between the various trim levels. For example, with XLE and Touring models get gray and chrome for the grille, while the XSE and Touring get piano black. New exterior colors for the 2019 model year include Opulent Amber and Harbor Grey Metallic, while the rest of the paint options include Celestial Silver Metallic, Midnight Black Metallic, and Parisian Night Pearl. Toyota also added two new colors from outside the model line, offering up Wind Chill Pearl and Ruby Flare Pearl to round it off.
Finally, per tradition for a luxury-oriented model like the Avalon, the exterior dimensions are longer, wider, and lower this time around, measuring in at 113 inches for the wheelbase, 196 inches for the overall length, 72.8 inches for the overall width, and 56.5 inches for the overall height.
2019 Toyota Avalon Exterior Dimensions
| Wheelbase | 113 inches |
| Overall Length | 196 inches |
| Overall Width | 72.8 inches |
| Overall Height | 56.5 inches |
Interior
- * Rear cabin extended by 7 inches
- * Fresh interior layout
- * Much more premium feeling
- * Loads of soft-touch materials
- * WiFi hot spot and Qi wireless charging
- * Optional Yamaha wood and aluminum trim
- * 9-inch infotainment screen
- * Apple CarPlay as standard (finally!)
- * Engine Sound Enhancement pumped into the cabin
- * Toyota Safety Sense as standard
Of course, those bigger dimensions outside the car translate into larger dimensions inside as well
Of course, those bigger dimensions outside the car translate into larger dimensions inside as well. Toyota says the rear cabin was extended by 7 inches, and that the Avalon now boasts a trio of segment-best interior measurements, including the most shoulder room (57.1 inches), the most legroom (up to 40.4 inches), and the most headroom (up to 37.5 inches).
The layout also changed, and now looks far more upscale than it did before. The center console is now a cohesive, single unit, sweeping upwards from the central tunnel and over the dash. Typically, we don’t like the look of a stand-up infotainment screen, as it usually looks tacked on (and tacky, too). This, however, is different. We like how the design leads the eye vertically into the central tunnel or up and into the windshield – nice choice there, Toyota.
Typically, we don't like the look of a stand-up infotainment screen, as it usually looks tacked on (and tacky, too). This, however, is different.
The 2019 Avalon’s quilted door trim also looks like it could have been made at Mercedes, and there was a redesign for the steering wheel as well, although the changes there are much more minor. Passengers might also notice that the side glass was lengthened, which should certainly help to expand the sense of spaciousness when sitting inside the cabin.
One of the best features of the Avalon is the plethora of soft-touch materials added throughout the passenger space. These include “Ultrasuede” and leather, and come complemented by trim made from brushed metal, piano black metal, and satin chrome. There’s also available Yamaha wood and aluminum, if you’re feeling saucy.
On the infotainment front, that large digital screen in the center of the dash measures in at 9 inches corner to corner, while a 7-inch display in the gauge cluster provides readouts on navigation info, safety system info, and the like. Higher trims get a 10-inch heads-up display and a high-end JBL stereo.
Standard spec throws in the Entune 3.0 infotainment platform, a WiFi hotspot, Qi wireless device charging, and Toyota remote connect for smartphone support, as well as Amazon Alexa connectivity and standard Apple CarPlay. That last bit is of particular importance, as Toyota has been reluctant to get on the Apple CarPlay bus for some time now, so we’re quite happy to see it listed as a feature on the latest Avalon.
We're rather happy to see Apple CarPlay make it onboard, as Toyota has been reluctant to adopt the system for quite some time now. While minor, it's part of several improvements that make the Avalon that much better for 2019.
There’s also digital Engine Sound Enhancement thanks to an Intake Sound Generator that gives the powertrain some interesting aural feedback when you put your foot down. And yeah, we’re gonna count that as an infotainment feature, because really, it’s just there to make you smile a little more when accelerating hard. A cheap thrill, maybe, but hey, who are we to judge?
Those seated in the back will enjoy the rear USB ports and optional rear seat warmers, not to mention the increased space already discussed above.
Finally, the 2019 Avalon comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite of technology, which includes stuff like pre-collision warning and braking, lane departure alert, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and a pedestrian detection system.
Drivetrain
- * 3.5-liter V-6 projected to make 300 horsepower
- * V-6 mates to new eight-speed automatic transmission
- * New hybrid set-up with 2.5-liter ’four and 650-volt electric motor
- * Hybrid mates to CVT with paddle shifters
- * FWD across the line
Making the go in the 2019 Toyota Avalon is once again a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, however, this time around the powerplant is “new,” making more power and returning better mpg
Making the go in the 2019 Toyota Avalon is once again a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, however, this time around the powerplant is “new,” making more power and returning better mpg thanks to features such as the revamped D-4S direct injection fueling system, and an updated variable valve system. Exact output figures have yet to be released, but for now, we know the outgoing Avalon makes 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. That said, the new V-6 makes about 300 horses and 270 pound-feet of torque in the Camry, so expect figures somewhere in that ballpark. A new eight-speed transmission now routes the output to the front axle exclusively, replacing the older model’s six-speed unit.
Alternatively, buyers can get theirs with hybrid motivation. If you prefer this greener solution, you’ll find the V-6 ditched in favor of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and 650-volt electric motor, all of which connects to a continuously variable transmission for motivation at the front axle. Toyota boasts the Avalon is the only “full hybrid” in the segment, and eco buyers will also enjoy the hybrid’s Sport mode, which adds a dose of extra electrified oomph to help you get that last parking spot at Whole Foods. There are even steering wheel-mounted paddles for a more hands-on approach to wrangling the CVT.
Chassis And Handling
- * New architecture underneath
- * Fully independent suspension
- * Optional adaptive components
- * Stiffer suspension tuning
The 2019 Avalon uses a multi-link set-up that allows for a wider track and a lower center of gravity
In addition to the new look, new interior, new gear, and new engine lineup, the 2019 Toyota Avalon also comes with fresh underpinnings, or the TNGA-K (Toyota New Global Architecture K) platform to be exact. Created specifically to cater to the demands of sedans, TNGA K is used on the present-day Toyota Camry and Lexus ES. The Lexus RX SUV also uses the platform.
As for the suspension, the 2019 Avalon uses a multi-link set-up that allows for a wider track and a lower center of gravity. The fresh suspension also offers the option for adaptive variable components, which is a first for the brand. Finally, the tuning for the 2019 model year introduces stiffer settings all the way around, all in the name of making the Avalon more interesting to drive. Thing is, we’re not really looking to flog this large sedan in some mountain pass. This is a cruiser, no doubt about it, but either way, we appreciate Toyota looking into new ways of making it more exciting.
Prices
The 2019 Avalon was designed in the U.S. and will be built here as well, with an on-sale date set for later this spring. Pricing is thus far unannounced, but with the current model starting at $33,500, we wouldn’t expect a huge jump in MSRP.
Customers will have four individual trim levels to choose from. These include the “sportier” XSE and Touring, as well as the more luxury-focused XLE and Limited. All four will get the previously mentioned V-6 powerplant, while the hybrid will only be offered on the XLE, Limited, and XSE trims.
Competition
Chrysler 300
While far more understated than the grille-tastic Toyota Avalon, the Chrysler 300 still has all the essentials of a large, semi-luxurious sedan. The interior gets plenty of soft-touch materials and niceties, plus tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, while the engine options include the base model’s 3.6-liter V-6 making 292 horsepower, plus a top-trim 5.7-liter V-8 making 363 horsepower. RWD is standard, while AWD is optional. And with pricing starting at just $28,995, there’s plenty of leeway to dig into the options list, if you want.
Read our full review on the 2018 Chrysler 300.
Nissan Maxima
Of the three sedans listed here, we think the Nissan is the best-looking option of the bunch, grabbing eyeballs thanks to its attractive two-tier V-motion grille and sharp styling features front to back. Things look good inside as well, where NVH levels are low and soft-touch materials abound, plus Apple CarPlay comes as standard and there’s more than a few safety technologies as well. Providing the power is a 3.5-liter V-6, which produces as much as 300 horsepower and mates with a CVT connected to the front axle. Pricing starts at $33,270.
Read our full review of the 2017 Nissan Maxima.
Conclusion
With terminally waning popularity and a variety of competitors to steal away sales, the new fifth-generation Avalon has its work cut out for it. However, all the upgrades make a ton of sense – the sharper styling reminds us of a Lexus, while the interior layout is a huge improvement over the outgoing model. Then we have the extra gear and more powerful engine, plus the addition of a hybrid model to the lineup, all of which will do well to expand the model’s desirability considerably.
Of the few remaining large sedans out there, we’d argue the Avalon is one of the better options. Whether or not it’s got what it takes to secure a buy in the face of overwhelming SUV and crossover popularity, well, that remains to be seen.
Now, about that front grille...
References
Toyota Avalon
2019 Toyota Avalon Gets More Aggressive, Boasts New Tech at Detroit
Read our full review on the 2017 Toyota Avalon
Read more Detroit Auto Show news.
Read more Toyota news.
Press release
The roads of Avalon, the mystical paradise that inspired Toyota’s flagship nameplate, have likely never seen a mid-premium sedan like this. Safe to say, neither has the North American International Auto Show. Until now.
Underpinned by a Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, and powered by a fuel-efficient 3.5-liter V6 or Toyota Hybrid System (THS II) powertrain, the 2019 Toyota Avalon embodies consumers’ overarching desire for high-caliber, design-centric, technologically-savvy modes of attainable, premium transportation.
To its menu, Avalon mixes a bevy of Toyota-firsts such as standard Apple CarPlay and 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 (AVS), also a Toyota first, that, quite positively, has Avalon out-performing its peers.
Bar, you’ve just been raised.
Flagship Makeover
For its fifth generation, Avalon received an all-encompassing makeover by Toyota’s U.S.-based design, engineering, and manufacturing entities at Calty Design Research Inc. (Calty) in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Toyota Motor North America Research and Development (TMNA R&D) in Saline, Michigan; and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) in Georgetown, Kentucky, respectively. Spearheaded by Chief Engineer, Randy Stephens, and Calty President, Kevin Hunter, the brain trust masterminded an Avalon that represents multilateral progressiveness – for itself, its diverse group of drivers, and, for Toyota.
The teams minded two keywords throughout their development paradigm: Authenticity and Exhilaration. Both were applied in every area of Avalon’s sophisticated essence, and throughout the four available grades: the athletic XSE (all-new) and Touring, as well as the more opulent XLE and Limited. Hybrid grades include XLE, Limited, and XSE.
Hello, Technical Beauty
A wealth of Calty signature elements cocoons Avalon’s long, low-slung TNGA musculature. Its expressive looks diligently reflect the mixture of all-encompassing, performance-focused personality, the invigorating driver experience, and a premium, spacious image.
A philosophy of Technical Beauty permeates Avalon’s body lines and cabin landscapes. Technical, which aligns with Authenticity, represents purpose and performance – tangible elements of the sedan’s style. Beauty, which aligns with Exhilaration, represents onlookers’ emotional reaction to Avalon’s taut lines and sleek silhouette.
Because of its adaptable TNGA core, the Calty team penned Avalon’s exterior to be longer, lower, and wider than before. Unique, never-before-accomplished stamping methods also aided in the deep draw panels that express distinguishable sculpted forms. Complex surfaces could now be shaped, like at Avalon’s door handles that coincide with its profile’s bold character line. A distinct, carved lower rocker panel behind the front wheels visually exemplifies the benefits of TNGA.
Avalon’s dimensions echo the seductive physiques of high-dollar premium vehicles. Its cabin, however, keeps its characteristic low-profile heritage by extending the rear cabin farther by another 7 inches, and elongating side quarter glass and downward tapered C-Pillar by 2.2 inches. To finalize the ingenious profile, engineers and designers implemented a 0.31-inch radius corner – the tightest ever for Toyota – fore of the steep pillar.
Avalon’s various height measurements have been trimmed: overall (by 1 in. to 56.5 in.), cowl (by 1.2 in.), and rear deck (by 0.8 in.). So too have front and rear overhangs (down 0.4 in. and 1.0 in., respectively). Along with its wider front (up 0.4 in.) and rear (up 1.5 in.) tracks, width (up 0.8 in. to 72.8 in.), and wheelbase (up 2.0 in.), Avalon’s premium aura and sporty stature are further emphasized.
Nowhere is Toyota’s “Under Priority” brand identity (a direction that prioritizes aerodynamic efficiency, cooling, and pedestrian protection) more clear than at Avalon’s stunning face. Available slim all-LED projector headlights simultaneously speak to its sportiness and elegance. They’re but a piece of the façade’s compelling story, though, that depicts the intersection of three-dimensional surfaces and assorted functions – the aluminum hood’s longitudinal lines and lightweight build; the wide, modern grilles built for air-slicing sleekness; tangential vents at its lower portion crafted for the effective direction of passing air across the front tires and along Avalon’s buff flanks. The chiseled doors achieve a deeper character line thanks to TNGA prototype stamping applied at TMMK.
Simple horizontal character lines slice across the backside, at the top, center, and lower portions. Its 72.8-in. width, in effect, is highlighted substantially by the distinct sectioning. Connected LED tail lamps shaped in a three-dimensional, “aero fin” style differentiate the landscape from the current iteration. They integrate backup, stop, and turn lights into a single harmonious, fluid form.
Differences between the grades are clear. A dark gray front grille with chrome border, for instance, is a telltale sign of the XLE and Limited versions. So too are the machined-silver LED headlight bezels, body-color rearview mirror housings, and unique wheels ranging in diameter from 17 to 19 inches. Chrome badge letters, as well as dual exhaust with chrome tips individualize the grades.
A more aggressive attitude is worn by XSE and Touring. A piano black mesh grille, machine-finish and Gloss Black wheels, as well as black outer mirror housings are special to the grades. Headlight bezels – also in black – create an engaging mystique never before possessed by Avalon. Rear traits include trunk lid spoiler and badging in black, and a grade-specific lower diffuser set above and between quad tailpipes.
The lineup adopts two all-new Toyota colors: Opulent Amber and Harbor Gray Metallic. Carryover colors include Celestial Silver Metallic, Midnight Black Metallic, and Parisian Night Pearl; new-for-Avalon options include Wind Chill Pearl and Ruby Flare Pearl.
Form follows function in Avalon. The tangential vents at the front, its rear spoiler, and the substantial underbody panel coverage, from front nose to tail, minimize aerodynamic inefficiencies and give Avalon a 0.27 coefficient of drag – besting the outgoing model’s 0.28 Cd.
Enlightened Lighting
Avalon’s available LED Vision Tech headlamps are the most advanced lighting realized by Toyota. The slim headlights employed by XLE and XSE grades utilize a cluster of three reflectors for Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and low- and high-beam functions, providing exceptional light disbursement in an array of situations, including foul, low-visibility weather.
For Limited and Touring, each headlamp is comprised of thin lighting modules – one for low beam, another for high – plus, an Adaptive LED Cornering lamp and a Dynamic Auxiliary Turn Signal. Each is a Toyota First. The innovative cornering lamps enhance visibility around corners and curves during low- and high-speed maneuvers, as well as when changing lanes or when reversing. The lamp fades in and out for seamless activations and transitions, and adds 60 percent more foreground width to the low beam’s pattern. The Dynamic Auxiliary Turn Signal provides an added degree of noticeable visibility by activating each auxiliary diode in sequential fashion, rather than all on, all off.
Another Toyota first intersects the trifecta of lighting elements within the headlamp: Signature DRL and Parking Light with Technical Laser Ablation. The technology allows light to transmit through its transparent areas encased by a laser-ablated, metallized inner lens. Laser ablation creates a specialized texture by way of intricate patterning.
Avalon’s LED taillights also implement laser ablation on Limited and Touring’s units, as well as Dynamic Auxiliary Turn Signal. The lamps’ three-dimensional Aero Fin Jet makeup insets the reverse indicator below the rear lamp, effectively widening the look of the housing, and, in turn, the sedan’s muscular hips.
Cockpit Meets Cocoon
Avalon’s fluency in luxuriousness and exhilarating extroversions isn’t restrained to its provocative looks. Its TNGA platform’s thin structural pillars and broad windshield lend to the wide, open impression that passengers garner, be they seated in front or rear rows.
Upon opening Avalon’s doors, an overarching simplicity and a purposeful placement of amenities and controls welcomes passengers. Authentic materials, such as the available Yamaha-sourced wood-trim and authentic aluminum pieces, accent arm rests, center console, and instrument panels.
Soft-touch materials are noticeable throughout – around the flowing, low-profile center console decorated in piano black trim; on the slim, tiered instrument panel leading into the doors; in the rear compartment, where doors and console mirror the impressive craftsmanship seen in the front cockpit. A rear cup and device holder, accented in piano black and satin chrome-finish, folds up and down in the armrest between passengers. Ahead of their knees and within arm’s reach: air vents, controls for the available seat warmers, and essential USB charging ports. Deep curvatures in the doors’ armrests provide passengers with ample surface area and comfort during long commutes. Rear seat roominess is exemplified by Avalon’s segment-best measurements in three categories: shoulder room (57.1 in.), leg space (40.3 in. for V6; 40.4 in. for Hybrid), and headroom (37.5 in. for V6; 37.1 in. for Hybrid).
Material differentiation between grades is minimal; engineered wood trim is found on XLE, while Limited features real wood trim. Aluminum pieces adorn Touring’s and XSE’s cabins. A mix of Perforated Ultrasuede wraps all seating in Touring and XSE; Softex seats within XLE receive artistic vertical stitching. Limited goes beyond this creative approach by adding a quilt pattern, special perforation, and two-color stitches – all unique to Toyota.
New-for-2019 Cognac colored leather-surfaces highlights Limited’s upscale vibe. Joining Cognac in Limited’s color quiver are available gray and beige leather-trim; XSE and Touring can be had in either gray or black Perforated Ultrasuede; XLE receives a trio of color offerings with gray, beige, or black Softex.
At the front seats, attentions are immediately fixated on Avalon’s slim center stack. The thin panel houses Avalon’s 9-inch multimedia system (MMS) displaying audio and navigation, and integrates the automotive climate control system. Satin chrome-finish decoration surrounds the center cluster panel that “floats” above the instrument panel, further emphasizing the balanced aura of the modern atmosphere. Below the panel, passengers have easy access to the slide-open eBin containing a 12-volt plug and the standard wireless Qi mobile device charger. A trio of USB power ports (making for five total) is located inside the center console. A part cup-holder, part phone cradle located atop the front console, sits adjacent to the gear selector; supple padding lines either side of the console’s lower tunnel at knee height.
A three-spoke steering wheel welcomes drivers’ eyes and hands with smooth, satin chrome-finish accents and conveniently placed multifunction controls. Visually, the wheel’s aesthetic is neater, having a trimmed inner physique and smaller switch cluster, while hand grips have been enlarged. Cruise Control is now accessible on the wheel’s right spoke. Also for the first time in Avalon, the steering wheel can be wrapped in a two-tone leather-surface when outfitted in Cognac or gray.
Past the steering wheel, a 7-inch Multi-Information Display (MID) shows vehicle information, turn-by-turn navigation, and various vehicle settings (including those pertaining to Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, available Intelligent Clearance Sonar, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Head-Up Display). Two new menus can be accessed by drivers, including a digital speedometer and, in Hybrid grades, a digital tachometer when its shifter is in “S” mode.
On the MID’s left, there’s a tachometer with long bright white needles and updated typeface. On its right, a speedometer. Hybrid grades receive the same central 7-inch screen, but to its left sits a Hybrid System Indicator showing the vehicle’s regeneration status in CHG (charge), ECO (economy), or PWR (power) in real time. Save for XLE’s gauges, the tachometer/hybrid powertrain meter and speedometer on XSE, Limited, and Touring are surrounded by 3D Glow Rings. A chrome ring borders the entire meter cluster on all grades.
Limited and Touring’s standard color 10-inch Head-Up Display (HUD) – the biggest in the segment – clearly projects important info, such as vehicle and engine speeds, turn-by-turn directions, audio settings, and drive mode, right onto the lower portion of the windshield. It helps drivers stay focused on the road ahead, and is one third of Avalon’s “driver control zone” made of MMS, MID, and HUD. All of them align seamlessly for optimum communication between occupants and vehicle.
Mega Multimedia
A JBL performance audio system is standard on Limited and Touring grades and is available on XLE and XSE grades. XLE and XSE passengers can listen to crisp tunes on a standard 8-speaker system having Entune 3.0 Audio Plus with Connected Navigation Scout GPS Link App and Entune 3.0 App Suite Connect, featuring new in-vehicle third-party applications. Apple CarPlay is standard on all grades.
Entune 3.0 Toyota Connected Services include: Safety Connect and Service Connect with a 3-year trial period, and Remote Connect with a 6-month trial. Wi-Fi Connect Powered by Verizon trial with up to 2GB within 6 months and Entune 3.0 App Suite is subscription-free.
The system’s new 9-inch capacitive touchscreen can be pinched and flicked, just like personal mobile devices – perfect for pinpointing your favorite pizza joint. Its refresh rate is quicker, its voice recognition is more perceptive, and it better recognizes users’ gestures.
Avalon will also feature Toyota’s first integration of smartwatch or Amazon Alexa-enabled device connectivity, as part of Toyota Remote Connect. This innovative connection allows drivers to lock/unlock their doors, start their engine, or check their fuel level, all from the convenience of their smartwatch or Amazon Alexa-enabled device. It’s voice controllable too, and compatible with select Android or Apple devices. Toyota is among the first automakers to feature Amazon-enabled device connectivity capable of executing home-to-car and car-to-home interactions.
With a standard 14-speaker system – the most speakers in the segment – and full suite of Entune 3.0 Premium Audio, passengers seated within Limited and Touring grades are treated to unprecedented aural and visual stimulus. Many Toyota-first applications with advanced software and hardware are optional for XLE and XSE drivers as well. They too can be equipped with embedded Dynamic Navigation.
1200 Watts, Tailored by JBL
Engineers benchmarked the best systems, two vehicle classes up, into the higher-priced premium large sedan segment. The result: a 14-speaker, 1200-watt, precisely-tuned 7.1-channel surround sound that leverages the benefits of a robust TNGA structure, and utilizes the top in hardware, structural engineering, and software technology.
Key highlights:
Hardware:
Four 1-inch freestanding JB Horn Tweeters control the directivity of sound waves to maximize the optimal listening area at ear level
One 12-channel next-generation, Class-D HID12 amplifier to pump 1200 watts of total power to the system, allowing for improved performance and unparalleled efficiency
One 10-inch Dual Voice Coil Subwoofer to provide more powerful, deep bass response
Two 6-inch Wide Dispersion Speakers in rear doors
Two 8x9-inch Wide Dispersion Woofers in front doors
Five 3-inch Wide Dispersion Midrange Speakers throughout
Software:
Clari-Fi rebuilds crucial audio signals lost during digital compression
Quantum Logic Surround (Toyota First) to create an unprecedented 7.1-channel surround sound listening experience from any signal source
Structure:
Sealed inner doors for cleaner, more powerful bass
JBL Branding, located on A-Pillar, door trim, and multimedia display
The Toyota first Quantum Logic Surround combines individual signal streams of music by using patented filter bank technology and psychoacoustic modeling to create an immersive multi-channel listening experience with exceptional clarity, detail, and image specificity. Clari-Fi analyzes audio streams in real time, rebuilds key details lost in processing, and restores high-fidelity.
Mid-Size Sedan Heart, Small Car Efficiency
Hustle, athleticism, and fuel-efficiency. Each of these riveting traits has improved, in large part, because of two new TNGA powertrains: a punchy 3.5-liter V6 (2GR-FKS), and, a 2.5-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) with 650-volt electric motor (A25A-FXS) and Continuously-Variable Transmission (CVT). Avalon Hybrid continues to be the only full hybrid vehicle in the segment.
The TNGA-derived V6 develops more power with less fuel consumption than ever before. Achieving the two took the application of D-4S direct injection, along with an updated VVT-iW (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent Wide) variable valve timing system.
The VVT-iW system is employed on the intake cycle, with VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing - Intelligent) activated on exhaust. With VVT-iW in place, engineers ensured optimal torque creation at all engine speeds, and minimized pumping losses during the closing of intake valves, which furthered fuel efficiency. The use of Atkinson cycle, too, reduces the V6’s fuel appetite, particularly in cold climates or during wide-open throttle (WOT) situations.
Other V6 specifications include a 11.8:1 compression ratio and bore (3.7 in.) and stroke (3.3 in.) dimensions.
Gears for All Occasions
An all-new TNGA 8-speed Direct Shift-8AT automatic transaxle gearbox (UA80E) channels power to the Avalon’s front wheels. It merges smooth, precise gear selection throughout the RPM range with an alacrity for fuel efficiency and on-demand power. Its revised logic control better matches vehicle speed, engine speed, and torque engagement, while also facilitating poised downshifts.
Its eight gear ratios balance wide range and close ratios, therefore enhancing power application and fuel efficiency. A wider range, specifically at the increased 8th gear ratio, allows for improved high-speed cruising fuel economy. Close ratios at the mid-range gears improve passing power.
A new torque converter provides a wider range of lock-up operation (versus the outgoing 6-speed automatic transmission) to imbue a more enveloping and direct driving feel. The converter contributes to low fuel consumption and passenger comfort, since engine revving is kept to a minimum.
The most thrilling shifting experience, however, is reserved for XSE and Touring drivers, whose optional steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters up Avalon’s sportiness ante without question. The paddles give quick access to gear selection, and when downshifting, the gearbox automatically “rev-matches” for smoother shifts.
Avalon Hybrid: The Most Fuel Efficient Avalon Ever
A new TNGA 2.5-liter four-cylinder Dynamic Force Engine is more fuel efficient, runs cleaner, and is more powerful than previous iterations, and excels at dissipating thermal inefficiencies. Doing it all took the implementation of Toyota’s vast catalog of advanced engine technologies: Dual VVT-i with VVT-iE (Variable Valve Timing intelligent system by Electric motor); D-4S (Direct injection 4-stroke gasoline engine Superior version) direct injection and laser-clad valve seats; longer stroke (4.07 inches; bore remains at 3.44 inches) and high compression ratio (14:1); multi-hole direct fuel injectors; a variable cooling system; cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system; and a full variable oil pump.
Instead of oil pressure, its Dual VVT-i with VVT-iE variable valve system employs an electric motor to control variable valve timing, which aids fuel efficiency and promotes cleaner exhaust emissions (this is especially helpful in cold climates). The D-4S direct injection combines higher-pressure direct fuel injection (DI) and lower-pressure port fuel injection (PFI), and applies each method of injection based on specific driving parameters. Furthering fuel efficiency are new multi-hole nozzle direct injectors (six holes per injector).
The Ultimate Happy Marriage
The four-cylinder Dynamic Force Engine is married to an all-new Toyota Hybrid System II powertrain that’s been engineered to inspire both spirited driving and fuel consciousness. THS II uses two electric motors – MG1 and MG2 – to supplement the charging of the hybrid system’s Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack, while MG2 assists the engine.
New for 2019, the highly compact battery pack now resides under the rear passenger seat (instead of the trunk), as a result of improved TNGA packaging and for the betterment of a lower center of gravity. THS II’s new lighter, smaller Power Control Unit (PCU) packages microcontrollers within a power stack structure that’s located above the transaxle – all with the goal of lowering mass to better handling composure.
Efficiencies on many levels are seen with the implementation of the new PCU. Energy loss in the conversion efficiency of the transaxle and electric motor is reduced by approximately 20 percent, and its cooling system’s energy loss is cut by approximately 10 percent. The PCU’s DC-DC converter – which converts a direct current from one voltage level to another – is optimized to reduce overall power consumption. Dimensionally, DC-DC converter’s output filter is smaller, lighter, and quieter for an improved passenger experience.
Auto Glide Control (AGC), yet another of Avalon’s fuel-saving technologies, automatically calculates efficient coasting. When driving normally, engine braking will slow the vehicle down when the driver lifts off from the accelerator pedal. However, to avoid aggressive engine braking, AGC limits the loss of vehicle speed through an automatic drive setting that acts more like a neutral gear, allowing the vehicle to coast to the stoplight.
A light indicating “AGC” is illuminated on the Multi-Information Display (MID) when AGC is active to alert the driver that less deceleration torque than normal is currently being used. AGC can only be activated when the vehicle is being operated in the ECO drive mode setting.
But who said all hybrids are docile?
Adding more than a sprinkle of spark to Avalon Hybrid’s sporty skillset is the inclusion of a new Sport drive mode and Sequential Shiftmatic technology. The Sport drive mode applies power from the hybrid system for improved acceleration and, as a bonus, all drive modes, including Sport, can each be used while EV mode is activated. With Shiftmatic technology, XSE drivers can “shift” through the Continuously-Variable Transmission’s six simulated gears via steering-wheel mounted paddles or the gearshift.
Piquing the Adventurous Side
Complementing Avalon’s daring looks is a thrilling drive personality imbued by an array of available sport-oriented tools – which, together, represent a Toyota first. Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), Intake Sound Generator (ISG), grade-specific exhaust baffle tuning, Active Noise Control (ANC), and Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE) fully exemplify Avalon’s most adventurous zeal ever. A more comprehensive four-level drive mode selection – which includes Eco, Normal, Sport/ Sport+, and Custom – is available on Touring, too. All other grades receive a three-level drive mode selection (Eco, Normal, Sport).
Touring’s standard Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) provides real-time damping control to maximize controllability and sharp handling. The astute setup reduces Avalon’s posture fluctuations under hard or sudden directional changes, limits body movements, and yet absorbs nasty road undulations for a comfortable, flat ride.
AVS relies on three primary systems to accomplish its mission: shock absorbers at each corner that have solenoid control valves for independent wheel control; advanced front and rear G Sensors to comprehend the vehicle’s condition; and, an intelligent central ECU that reacts to the G Sensor’s observations by dictating exact damping adjustments to the shock absorbers’ solenoids.
Levels of AVS’ damping force are continuously variable, with a maximum of 650 steps. Changes in solenoid force – which restrict absorber fluid and, thus, damping – happen in an incredible 20 milliseconds. Drivers can adjust Avalon’s ride feel with the simple depression of a button – Normal mode prioritizes comfort, while Sport+ emphasizes handling with tauter, highly responsive footing without diminishing Avalon’s celebrated ride suppleness. Progressing from Normal to Sport+ also benefits Avalon’s liveliness. For example, throttle response becomes quicker, the Electronic Power Steering’s (EPS) feel emphasizes feedback, and its engine sound is enhanced through ESE.
The new multi-link rear suspension allows for the enhancement of many positive performance attributes, such as a wider rear track, lower center of gravity, and an aggressive stance. Revised trailing arms have been installed at a higher position to place the pivot axis of the tire rearward for better bump absorption. The setup’s shock absorbers are tilted forward, too, to realize a suppler ride. Bushings on the trailing arms and arm joints further mask passing road imperfections.
Although not equipped with AVS, XLE, Limited, and XSE take full advantage of their innately sporty platform and multi-link rear suspension and, to them, add thicker stabilizer bars and stiffer spring rates for maximum handling dexterity. Spring stiffness, for example, is increased 25 percent when comparing XLE to Limited; stabilizer bar stiffness is up 38 percent and 62 percent, front and rear, respectively, when progressing from XLE to XSE.
World Class Acoustics, Inside and Out
Avalon’s refined acoustic repertoire spans inside and out. Through Sport+, passengers receive a concerto of exciting, natural sounds through a new exhaust system with sport modified baffles, an Intake Sound Generator (ISG), Active Noise Control (ANC), and Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE).
ISG amplifies the engine’s air inhalation sound to create robust vocalization and, on the exhalation end, the all-new exhaust with baffle tuning ups the sound character at start-up, idle, and acceleration. ANC and ESE work to cancel any unwanted exterior noise while simultaneously enhancing engine sound via the JBL multimedia system’s in-cabin speakers. Exceptional engine notes at start-up are also enhanced; a hearty “flare” of sound occurs right before idle upon start-up. At wide-open-throttle acceleration, more engine grunt is heard throughout the rev range.
For all its added energetic vocalization, Avalon never ceases to deliver a civilized, library-quiet interior, if desired. Road noise and engine droning have been culled while cruising quietness and engine sound have been improved. Its TNGA platform utilizes additional seals where front fenders meet front doors and where the doors merge at the B-Pillar. More sound absorption material is found in the engine bay, within the carpet pad, under the floor, and in the wheel well liners. The exterior rearview mirrors not only reduce drag, but also wind noise, making for an extremely quite environment for all.
Top Toyota Safety Tech
Avalon’s standard Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite of safety systems and technologies represents one step closer to achieving Toyota Motor Corporation’s ultimate goal of zero casualties from traffic accidents.
TSS-P bundles cutting edge active safety technologies including Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA); and Automatic High Beams (AHB). Additional standard safety technology includes Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Back Guide Monitor (BGM).
Also available are Panoramic View Monitor with Alert (PVMA) and Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS), which now includes a Rear Cross Traffic Braking (RCTB) system.
All 2019 Avalons have 10 standard airbags and Toyota’s Star Safety System, which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System, and Smart Stop Technology. All Avalons also come equipped with a standard backup camera.
