2017 Toyota Avalon

You can compromise luxury for safety as it cannot be the other way around. The 2017 Avalon, on the other hand, is the best of both worlds. The car is brimmed with active safety feature like Adaptive cruise control, Automatic high-beams, forward-collision warning and more. Overall it's a top pick in the safety territory. Toyota's attempts has landed the Avalon head to head with the industry leaders like Dodge Charger, Kia Cadenza, and Brick LaCrosse.

A new set of active safety features including, forward collision warning, automatic pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, a lane departure warning and intervention system, and automatic high-beam headlight control

The 2017 Toyota Avalon Sedan comes in 5 trim levels XLE, XLE Plus, XLE Premium, Touring, and Limited. The base trim is offered at $33,300 all the way to the top Limited trim at $41,000. All 5 trims share a similar 3.5L V6 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Choosing your ideal Avalon will largely depend on the type of features you prefer. Climbing up the trim ladder you will get some additional set of features added with each level.

Trim	XLE	XLE Plus	XLE Premium	Touring	Limited
MSRP	$33,300	$35,050	$36,500	$37,700	$41,100
Key   Features	Quadrabeam halogen headlights with auto on/off feature and Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with on/off feature Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers Entune Audio Plus with Connected Navigation , auxiliary audio jack, USB 2.0 port5 with iPod\xae6 connectivity and control, advanced voice recognition Hands-free phone capability, phone book access and music streaming8 via Bluetooth\xae9 wireless technology), Scout\xae GPS Link App,3 Siri\xae Eyes Free,10 SiriusXM\xae Satellite Radio12 with 3-month complimentary trial, HD	Quadrabeam halogen headlights with auto on/off feature and Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with on/off feature Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers Entune Audio Plus with Connected Navigation App3 capability, eight speakers, auxiliary audio jack, USB 2.0 port5 with iPod\xae6 connectivity and control, advanced voice recognition Hands-free phone capability, phone book access and music streaming8 via Bluetooth\xae9 wireless technology), Scout\xae GPS Link App,3 Siri\xae Eyes Free,10 SiriusXM\xae Satellite Radio12 with 3-month complimentary trial, HD RadioTechnology, HD	Quadrabeam halogen headlights with auto on/off feature and Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with on/off feature Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers Entune Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation14 and  MP3/WMA playback capability, nine speakers, auxiliary audio jack, USB 2.0 port5 with iPod\xae6 connectivity and control, advanced voice recognition  Hands-free phone capability, phone book access and music streaming8 via Bluetoothwireless technology), SiriEyes Free,10 Entune\xae App Suite, HD RadioTechnology, HD Radio Predictive Traffic and Doppler weather overlay, AM/FM cache radio, SiriusXMSatellite Radio12 with 3-month complimentary SiriusXM All Access trial, Gracenote\xae album cover art, and integrated backup camera13 display	LED (light-emitting diode) headlights with auto on/off feature and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with on/off feature Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers Entune Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation14 and App Suite15includes the (7-in. high-resolution touch-screen with split-screen display, AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, nine speakers, auxiliary audio jack, USB 2.0 port5 with iPod connectivity and control, advanced voice recognition 7 hands-free phone capability, phone book access and music streaming8 via Bluetooth wireless technology), Siri\xae Eyes Free,10 Entune\xae App Suite, HD RadioTechnology, HD RadioPredictive Traffic and Doppler weather overlay, AM/FM cache radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio12 with 3-month complimentary SiriusXM All Access trial, Gracenote\xae album cover art, and integrated backup camera13 display	High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Quadrabeam headlights with auto on/off feature and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with on/off feature Rain-sensing Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers Entune Premium JBL Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite  includes the Entune Multimedia Bundle4 7-in. high-resolution touch-screen with split-screen display, AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, JBL GreenEdge speakers in nine locations including subwoofer and amplifier, auxiliary audio jack, USB 2.0 port5 with iPod connectivity and control, advanced voice recognition, hands-free phone capability, phone book access and music streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology), Siri Eyes Free, Entune App Suite, HD Radio Technology, HD Radio Predictive Traffic and Doppler weather overlay, AM/FM cache radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 3-month complimentary SiriusXM All Access trial, Gracenote album cover art, and integrated backup camera display with projected path

We recommend

Out of all the trims, the XLE trim is the wisest choice of all. You will land a more functional car with a sunroof, and a plethora of features without tearing your wallet. Then again if you are willing to spend more, you will surely get the top-trim treatment with the Limited trim.

The Avalon is equipped with the potent 3.5L V6 engine which is shared among all the trim levels. The V6 is gutsy and cranks out a maximum power of 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. The engine is backed with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Models	Toyota Avalon XLE	Dodge Charger	Kia Cadenza	Buick LaCrosse
MSRP	$33,300	$27,995	$31,990	$32,065
Engine	3.5L 6cyl	3.6L 6cyl	3.3L 6cyl	3.6L 6cyl
Transmission	6-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic
Horsepower	268 hp	292 hp	290 hp	310 hp
Torque	248 lb-ft	260 lb-ft	253 lb-ft	268 lb-ft

Though the power is sufficient it\u2019s not the best in the market, the competitors like Dodge Charger, Kia Cadenza, and Buick LaCrosse are better performers in the class. The LaCrosse is a better car which is offered at a low price and delivers more power.

Acceleration

The V8\u2019s power propels the car to high speeds in no time. The car attains an acceleration of 60 mph from a standstill in 6.4 seconds. The quarter-mile runs follow a 14.8 sec acceleration time.

Models	Toyota Avalon XLE	Dodge Charger	Kia Cadenza	Buick LaCrosse
0-60 MPH	6.4 sec	4.6 sec	6.5 sec	5.8 sec
Quarter mile	14.8 sec	11.4 sec	14.8 sec	14.6 sec
Engine	3.5L	3.6L	3.3L	3.6L
Emission   (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	7.4	7.6	7.6	7.7

The competition is filled with better accelerating cars, the Dodge Charger wins this battle with its 4.6 seconds acceleration followed by the 5.8-second performance by the LaCrosse. The Kia Cadenza and the Avalon are the potential lagers in the lot.

Ride and Handling

The handling on the 2017 Avalon is not that enjoyable, the huge size makes it difficult for city maneuvers and forgets about parking this car in the subcompact zones. Still, the light steering makes delivers predictability and makes up for the size. As a daily driver, the car is approachable, you will feel right at home with it.

Braking

Braking on the 2017 Avalon is nice and decent, the pedal is neither confident nor too soft, something you will get used to it in no time. Overall the braking mechanism is decent and has a good bite. O the highway the car will not disappoint with any fishy odd motion on a heavy push. The car comes on a grinding halt from a speed of 60 mph in 126 ft.

Model	Toyota Avalon XLE	Dodge Charger	Kia Cadenza	Buick LaCrosse
Brake Front (in.)	11.7	12.6	12.6	12.6
Brake Rear (in.)	11.1	12.6	11.8	NA
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3505	3934	3633	3840
60-0 MPH (ft.)	126	111	120	123

Though the car weighs lighter than the competition the Toyota forgot to cash in the advantage. The Avalon features 126 ft. of braking distance which is nothing compared to the competition. Where the LaCrosse and Cadenza display similar braking dynamics the Dodge Charger is the best amongst the lot.

For a Sedna of this stature the Avalon does pretty well. Its 21 mpg of city and 30 mpg of highway mileage is pretty impressive. Practically its better than any car in the compact-car class.

Model	Toyota Avalon XLE	Dodge Charger	Kia Cadenza	Buick LaCrosse
MPG (city)	21	19	20	20
MPG (highway)	30	30	28	29
MPG (combined)	24	23	23	23

The Avalon might be mediocre in other sections but efficiency is where the Toyota has worked hard on. The Avalon\u2019s 24 mpg of combined mileage is the best in the class, even the performer like Dodge Charger has fallen behind the Toyota.

A big effort to improve materials quality and modernize the Avalon is obvious. Soft-touch leather adorns most surfaces, depending on trim level, and tasteful styling touches are present throughout 2017- Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

There are some cars in the class that claim to be 5 seaters but are comfortable only for 4, gladly the Toyota is not one of them. The Avalon features a roomy cabin with 38.5 inches of headroom and 42.1 inches of legroom space for the front seats. The rear seats are an inch shorter than the front cabin.

Model	Toyota Avalon XLE	Dodge Charger	Kia Cadenza	Buick LaCrosse
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.5/58.2/42.1	38.6/59.5/41.8	40.2/58.3/45.5	38.4/57.7/42.0
Second   (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.9/57.0/39.2	36.6/57.9/40.1	37.9/56.5/37.2	38.4/56.6/38.0

The Kia Cadenza is just an inch or two larger than the Avalon and other cars in the competition, other than that all cars feature similar cabin space.

Infotainment

Sitting inside you will notice the layers of chrome, carbon, and wood stretching from the left all the way to the middle where the 7-inch touchscreen display awaits your attention. The Toyota  Entune infotainment system doest need an introduction, it's intuitive and responsive, you won\u2019t struggle a bit. The menu placement is quite simple and logical, but the tech geeks might bemoan as the Apple car play and Android Auto is absent on the Avalon. Other features include:

• 11-speaker JBL audio system
• Bluetooth Audio
• Voice Command
• USP Ports
• Real-Time Weather
• Real-Time Traffic

Cargo volume

Just like other cars in the class, the 2017 Avalon is quite practical and spacious. The car offers a lot of utility in small item storage. But the real value is put to test when you pack heavy. The decent 16 cubic ft. of space enough to swallow 5 suitcases and is quite logical too.

Model	Toyota Avalon XLE	Dodge Charger	Kia Cadenza	Buick LaCrosse
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	16.0	16.5	16.0	15.0

Though it's commodious, the competition does it a little better. The cargo space on the Dodge Charge is slightly better than the Avalon. The Kia Cadenza comes with an identical cargo space but the LaCrosse is a little shorter.

 

Stylists in California and Michigan drew latest Avalon with the well-to-do tastes of older-middle-age empty-nester America in mind. It's a brisk lane-change from the previous Avalon, not quite up to the effortless panache of an Audi A7, but completely removed from the Camry's wake- The Car Connection

Dimensions and Weight

The 2017 Toyota Avalon is quite sizeable, the car mirror the dimensions of most of its rivals in the class. As for the numbers, the car measures a fine 195.3 inches in length and 72.2 inches of width. The height of the car is billed at 57.5 inches, so it\u2019s a big car, enough to accommodate passengers and luggage. The ground clearance is a nice 5.5 inches enough to endure tricky pavements.

Model	Toyota Avalon XLE	Dodge Charger	Kia Cadenza	Buick LaCrosse
Curb weight (lbs.)	3505	3934	3633	3840
Length(in)	195.3	198.4	195.7	197.5
Width(in)	72.2	75.0	73.6	73.5
Height(in)	57.5	58.2	57.9	57.5
Ground clearance (in)	5.5	4.9	N/A	NA
Wheelbase (in)	111.0	120.2	112.4	114.4
Track width (in) F/R	62.6/62.2	63.4/63.8	63.3/63.6	62.9/63.1

The Toyota Avalon resembles the same dimensions as the as other cars in the class, so there is no sense of competition here.

The Toyota didnt back down on safety, they equipped the Avalon with active safety features which were previously reserved for the higher models. Features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic high-beams, forward collision warning come standard on the 2017 Avalon. But these features are just to back the core safety which is shown through the crash test. The NHTSA and IIHS have given the Avalon an all-star rating crowning the Avalon with the safety crown.

Safety Features

• Star Safety System includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop Technology (SST)

• Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Track Mode

• Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)

• Six airbags includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger outboard seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags

• Three-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) on all passenger belts

• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats

• Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)

 

IIHS Ratings
Small overlap front driver side	Good
Small overlap front passenger side	Not rated
Moderate overlap front	Good
Side	Good
Roof strength	Good
Head restraints & seats	Good
Front crash prevention	Superior
Headlights	Acceptable
Child seats anchors (LATCH)	Acceptable

 

NHTSA Ratings
Overall rating	4 star
Overall frontal barrier crash rating	5 star
Frontal barrier crash rating driver	4 star
Overall side crash rating	5 star
Side barrier rating	5 star
Side pole rating driver front seat	5 star
Combined side rating rear seat	5 star
Rollover rating	4 star
Side barrier rating driver	5 star
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger	4 star
Combined side rating front seat	5 star
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat	5 star

Kia Cadenza Vs Toyota Avalon

The Kia Cadenza is known for the series of features it comes with. The makers have infused the car with better smartphone integration by keeping features like Apple Car Play and Android Auto standard on the 2017 Cadenza. On the other hand, the 2017 Avalon delivers better driving dynamics and handling. But if you talk about power, the Cadenza is much powerful.

So, if you are looking to blend comfort with power the 2017 Kia Cadenza is the car you are looking for.

Buick LaCrosse Vs Toyota Avalon

The Buick LaCrosse is the more affordable car in the class. You get more power at a lesser price also the extra 3 gears in the transmission is not just for show, they actually make driving fun and enjoyable. The Avalon, on the other hand, wins the safety battle as the car is equipped with active safety features which the LaCrosse lacks.

Come to think of it, the LaCrosse is a car with more potential, power, and precision, if you seek these features, the Buick LaCrosse is a more practical car.

Dodge Charger Vs Toyota Avalon

The Dodge Charger is one of the strongest cars in the class. With more power and incredible drivability, the Dodge charges on the competition with ferocity. It is a more muscular car where the Avalon brings comfort and drivability to the table.

If you are looking for a more performing car go for the Charger, the choice becomes more obvious as the charger comes $4,000 short.

The 2017 Toyota Avalon is the embodiment of comfortable driving and predictability. The Toyota didn\u2019t alter its winning recipe and focused more over presentation. The Avalon\u2019s cabin is a better place to be in than any of the competitors. But frankly there is not that value with the $33,000 price tag, you will find a better car in the competitor\u2019s showroom.