In an automotive market dominated by crossovers and SUVs, Toyota’s flagship sedan remains a standout in the near premium full size car segment. The 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited surprises at every turn.
For 2019, along with the total Camry reinvent comes the rebooted Toyota Avalon. Long the flagship of Toyota’s North American sedan lineup, Avalon takes on more than a handful of Lexus design cues, including a massive grill, and body line integrated halyde head and digital tail lamps.
The Advanced Car takes Avalon out on the road for a week in Western Oregon. It’s early Winter, the weather harsh, yet Avalon takes it in stride, isolating driver and passenger from the elements in solid comfort and safety.
A face only a mother could love
2019 Toyota Avalon takes a design cue from the Lexus lineup. What’s good for Lexus must be good for Toyota, right? While Avalon’s futuristic styling has grown on me, some automotive enthusiasts encountered along the drive path are less than enthusiastic.
While Some Toyota fans interviewed by The Advanced Car team find the latest Avalon generation a bit too edgy, in talking with Toyota we learn that the new design first showcased through the Camry lineup is very popular with younger progressive buyers — a demographic that all makers target to hold the bottom line, if not expand sales in a diminishing sedan segment. Me, I like it.
Avalon’s futuristic inspired design speaks to performance and prestige
Sliding onto the driver’s seat of 2019 Avalon is an affirmation of sorts. The promise of a premium car fit and finish is realized within seconds of entering the well appointed confines of Toyota’s largest North American sedan offering. Competing with the likes of Acura RLX, Ford Focus Limited, and yes, Lincoln Continental, in the mid-trim offering, Avalon gives the near premium sedan makers a run for your purchase or lease dollar.
This near full size 5 passenger sedan while not opulent in a Mercedes C-Class sort of way can’t not be ignored when quantifying total value component packaging and fuel economy performance. Toyota engineering combines a high compression, low displacement 2.5 Liter, dual injected, high efficiency gasoline engine with a 118 horsepower electric motor, resulting in a torque-abundant quiet drive and ride experience.
The Advanced Car team recorded 45 MPG driving under variable road and weather conditions — amazing for a near full sized sedan tipping the scales at 3750 LB.
2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid a very capable do-all commuter
Viewing the clean understated slip-stream body-line of 2019 Avalon takes us back to a bygone era of long hooded touring cars. Our test car’s elegantly sculpted profile is accented with just enough chrome to catch the eye.
Stylish turn signal integrated head and tail lights accentuate the futuristic low to the ground wide toothed grin of a shark-inspired automotive behemoth. Impressive, yet nimble in road handling and ease of parking, Toyota presents an Avalon that’s as happy in town as it is driving down the Interstate.
As a mature driver I appreciate the ease of entering and exiting Avalon. Toyota engineering and design proportions the doors for ease of closure while placing the seating position high enough to reduce leg fatigue and curb exit angst.
Ease of ingress and egress is assured for driver and passenger through generously sized side doors. Viewing the cabin, premium perforated leather, heated and cooled seats featured in this Limited Hybrid promote a pain free drive and ride experience — in one if not the quietest Toyota salons we’ve experienced to date.
Lean back set the cruise control and dial in your favorite premium music source. Our test ride features a JBL Entune 3.0 Audio Plus premium concert hall-like Stereo System with ease of selection and sound level control from the intuitive smart wheel, or center dash touch screen monitor. After driving well over 1,000 miles in Toyota’s latest Avalon Hybrid we note little to no drive fatigue.
Price point, fuel economy, good looks and more
With a beginning MSRP of $36,500 * Standard Avalon Hybrid LXE, and a fully optioned price as tested of $44,870 * 2019 Avalon Hybrid Limited with Advanced Safety Package. We recommend a 2019 Toyota Avalon test drive to anyone considering the lease or purchase of a mid or full size premium sedan. The Advanced Car Team walks away impressed by not only combined horsepower and torque, but refined ride, seat comfort and fuel economy too.
Great article Parks!