The current-generation Avalon is expected to be the last for the 2018 model year, since a new version based on the same Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform as the new 2018 Toyota Camry will be released soon. As a result, the Avalon is essentially identical to last year's model. The only changes are the Limited model's newly standard 18-inch chrome wheels. The Touring is the new name for the XLE Touring trim.
Outward visibility is excellent behind the wheel, and the smooth but powerful V6 paired to an equally smooth 6-Speed Automatic makes it an easy mile eater. Although the Avalon inspires confidence in corners, it never compares to the Nissan Maxima or Dodge Charger in terms of fun.
2018 Toyota Avalon Latest Updates
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"The 2018 Toyota Avalon is a spacious full-size sedan that prioritizes comfort and safety above keeping up with the Joneses." - The Car Connection
The 2018 Toyota Avalon starts at a price of $33,500 for the base XLE trim and tops out at $41,300 for the Limited trim. The five-year costs of gas, insurance, repairs, and maintenance for the 2018 Avalon are expected to be around $24,380, or $4,876 per year. The 2018 Toyota Avalon Limited Hybrid has a starting price of $41,300.
The 2018 Toyota Avalon is available in five trim levels: XLE, XLE Plus, XLE Premium, Touring, and Limited. The 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque is standard along with a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2018 Avalon can get from 0-60-mph in 6.1 seconds and has a top speed of 129 mph.
Features
8.0/10
There are a total of eight trim levels including three hybrid trims. All 5 non-hybrid trims get a 268 hp V6 mated to a 6-Speed Automatic while the Avalon Hybrid has an I4 engine with electric motors for a total system output of 200 hp. The base Avalon XLE starts at $33,500 and offers more than enough features to keep you satisfied.
The Avalon Touring ($37,900) is the one to get if you want a hint of sportiness as it gets a sportier suspension and larger 18-inch wheels. The top-spec nonhybrid Toyota Avalon Limited is priced at $41,300. The Hybrid powertrain is available in three trims – the XLE Plus, the XLE Premium, and the XLE Limited.
Trims
XLE
XLE Plus
XLE Premium
Touring
Limited
MSRP
$33,500
$35,250
$36,700
$37,900
$41,300
Features
Leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic steering wheel with paddle shifters
Adds to or replaces features offered on XLE:
Adds to or replaces features offered on XLE Plus:
Adds to or replaces features offered on XLE Premium:
Adds to or replaces features offered on Touring:
Leather-trimmed multi-stage heated front seats
Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, map light, and HomeLink universal transceiver
Entune Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation
Premium leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic steering wheel with paddle shifters
Premium perforated leather-trimmed multi-stage heated and ventilated front seats
8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support
Power Tilt/Slide Moonroof
integrated backup camera display
Black wood-grain-style interior trim
10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support and power cushion extension
4-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging
18-inch wheels
8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
Dual-zone automatic climate control with rear-seat vents
eBin storage with one 12V power outlet, auxiliary audio jack, and USB port
Power rear window sunshade
We Recommend
Despite having all of the equipment you'll need and more, the base XLE grade lacks a sunroof. As a result, we'll pay $1,750 extra for the XLE plus ($35,250) with the sunroof and auto-dimming rearview mirror. If you're concerned about the environment or want to save money on gas, the XLE Plus Hybrid priced at $37,500 is a terrific option at a cost of some performance though.
Engine and Performance
8.5/10
"Ample V-6 power, a Lexus-like ride, and composed handling give the Avalon the dynamics we appreciate. Its below-average braking performance and unhurried hybrid acceleration cost it a few competency points here." – Car and Driver
All non-hybrid Avalons have the same engine: a 3.5L V6 with 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque, paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The V6 has enough power to push this full-size barge. Unfortunately, all-wheel drive is not available. The 2.5L I4 engine in the Avalon Hybrid is aided by an electric motor. Through, the overall power is lesser - 200 horsepower. Instead of a typical automatic transmission, the hybrid receives a CVT.
2018 Toyota Avalon Engine Bay
The engine effortlessly provides power, the transmission smoothly shuffles torque, and the suspension smoothly absorbs imperfections and keeps the car moving — smoothly. Even in high-speed turns, though, the Avalon inspires confidence.
Models
2018 Toyota Avalon
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Dodge Charger
MSRP
$33,500
$33,270
$27,770
$28,495
Engine
3.5-Liter V6 DOHC 24-Valve
3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine
ECOTEC 2.5L DOHC 4-cylinder
3.6-Liter V6 24-Valve VVT Engine
Transmission
6-speed automatic
CVT automatic
6-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
Power
268 hp @ 6200 rpm
300 hp @ 6,400 rpm
197 hp @ 6300 rpm
292 hp @ 6350 rpm
Torque
248 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
261 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
191 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
260 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
The 2018 Toyota Avalon offers more power than the Impala but falls short when compared to the Nissan Maxima and Dodge Charger. The Nissan Maxima offers the most power in the range at 300 hp followed by the Dodge Charger with 292 hp. The 2.5L engine in the Chevy Impala is only good enough for 197 hp, which is the lowest in the range.
2018 Toyota Avalon Acceleration
The 3.5L V6 in non-hybrid Toyota Avalon can accelerate this full-size luxury barge from rest to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. That’s faster than the much more aggressive-looking Dodge Charger. With so much power on tap, overtaking even the faster freeway traffic is effortless.
Models
2018 Toyota Avalon
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Dodge Charger
0-60 MPH
6.1 sec
5.8 sec
6.3 sec
6.4 sec
Quarter mile
14.5 sec @ 89.9 mph
14.3 sec @ 97.7 mph
14.9 sec @ 95.9 mph
14.8 sec @ 94.9 mph
Engine
3.5L
3.5L
2.5L
3.6L
Emission Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
7.4
7.0
7.1
7.6
2018 Toyota Avalon Ride and Handling
The suspension of the Avalon is supple enough to lull you to sleep on a long trip. It dismissed any kind of bump at any speed with aplomb. This combined with its rock-solid stability at freeway speeds and confidence-inspiring cornering characteristics makes the Avalon a perfect transcontinental cruiser. The Touring trim gets the sporty suspension and larger wheels for those who want a bit more “sport”.The suspension is set up for a plush ride, but the Touring model’s stiffer suspension won’t compromise the luxury feel.
2018 Toyota Avalon Braking
The Avalon gets 11.7-inch brake rotors up front and 11.7-inch rotors at the back. That’s the smallest among the competitors compared here and it does compromise the braking of the Avalon.
Model
2018 Toyota Avalon
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Dodge Charger
Brake Front(in)
11.7
12.6
12.6
12.6
Brake Rear(in)
11.1
12.1
12.4
12.6
Curb Weight(lbs)
3461
3478
3730
3934
60-0 MPH (ft.)
120
125
118
110
Even though Avalon is the lightest here, it takes longer to stop from 60 than the Impala or Charger. That said, it does offer a linear pedal response that helps to make smooth stops easy.
Fuel Economy
7.1/10
Even the non-hybrid Avalon, with such performance in such a huge vehicle, is incredibly efficient, getting 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the interstate for a combined rating of 24 mpg. The Impala is marginally more efficient, but it has a significantly lower performance. It has a cruising range of 560 miles thanks to its big 17-gallon gasoline tank, making it a true transcontinental liner.
Model
2018 Toyota Avalon
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Dodge Charger
MPG city
21
21
22
19
MPG highway
30
30
30
30
MPG combined
24
25
25
23
The Hybrid's 2.5L I4 engine is Atkinson-cycle and paired to a CVT transmission. The electric motor works in conjunction with the combustion engine and captures braking energy. This full-size sedan achieves compact car-like efficiency with 40 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the interstate thanks to these innovations.
Interior
8.5/10
“Step inside the 2018 Avalon and two traits immediately stand out: The first is that it’s roomy, and the second is that it’s lush and sophisticated.” – Kelley Blue Book
2018 Toyota Avalon Seating and Comfort
The interior of the Avalon is made of high-quality materials with excellent fit and finish, and the cabin is well-equipped, even in base trim. Even the driving environment is calm, while the back seats are as comfortable as a warm bath.
2018 Toyota Avalon front seats
The back seats are curved for adults, so three moderately sized persons should be able to squeeze over the bench without jeopardising their dignity. On the way in, the low roofline necessitates a tiny duck, but once inside, there's plenty of room for heads and legs.
2018 Toyota Avalon rear seats
With 8-way power-adjustable driver's seats and power lumbar support, finding the ideal driving position is simple. Once you've found your ideal driving position, you'll notice a mostly plain and calm instrument cluster, a comfortable leather-clad steering wheel, and a spacious dashboard with high-quality stitching.
Model
2018 Toyota Avalon
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Dodge Charger
Passenger capacity
5
5
5
5
Passenger Volume(ft cube)
103.6
98.6
105
104.7
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
38.5/58.2/42.1
39.4/56.7/45
39.9/57.9/45.8
38.6/59.5/41.8
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
37.9/57/39.2
36.7/55.7/34.2
37.4/56.9/39.8
36.6/57.9/40.1
The outward visibility is likewise excellent. While even the base Avalon XLE comes with comfortable heated seats, the Avalon Limited adds ventilated front seats. All of this, paired with its quiet cabin and great range, allows it to cover large distances in a short amount of time. Even an airliner-style ambient light is available — long-distance passengers will like that.
2018 Toyota Avalon Infotainment System
When it comes to infotainment, the Avalon does not have much to impress. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are missing. On top of that, you have to get Avalon XLE Premium or higher to get Navigation while the rivals like Maxima offer it as standard.
2018 Toyota Avalon infotainment system
That said, the top-end Avalon Limited will delight Audiophiles with its gorgeous-sounding 11-speaker JBL audio system.
2018 Toyota Avalon Cargo Capacity
Complementing the Avalon's large cabin and long-distance capability is its spacious trunk. With 16 cubic feet of luggage capacity on offer, it can easily swallow all the occupants’ luggage. However, the Avalon Hybrid’s battery pack eats up 2-cubic feet of luggage space.
Model
2018 Toyota Avalon
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Dodge Charger
Volume (ft cube)
16.0
14.3
18.8
16.1
Also, the Impala is even more spacious. As befits a big sedan, the Avalon features a sufficiently large trunk. The rear seats don’t fold down, but there is a central pass-through.
Exterior
6.9/10
“When it comes to size, the Avalon certainly earns its place among a segment of substantial sedans, mirroring the dimensions of most rivals.” – Car and Driver
The Avalon has a reserved understated styling – like a typical Toyota sedan. However, the length and width give it a considerable road presence. Carrying on the Toyotas recent fascination, the Avalon gets large front grilles. However, it is not as loud and the long horizontal slats with chrome accent do give it a sense of width and add to the substance of the vehicle.
The Avalon now has a gently sloping roofline towards the rear that adds a hint of sportiness. However, the ingress and egress are still effortless and the long rear doors ensure getting out of those large rear sofa-seats will still be dignified when arriving at a board meeting.
Dimension and Weight
The Avalon weighs lowest among the competition at 3461 pounds – a massive 400 pound less than the Charger. Lengthwise, it’s considerably shorter than the Impala and Charger. However, the Avalon’s wheelbase is similar to the overall lengthier Impala – a hint of its interior roominess.
Model
2018 Toyota Avalon
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Dodge Charger
Curb Weight(lbs)
3461
3478
3730
3934
Length(in)
195.3
192.8
201.3
198.4
Width(in)
62.2
73.2
73.0
75
Height(in)
57.5
56.5
58.9
58.2
Ground Clearance(in)
5.5
5.3
7.1
4.9
Wheel Base(in)
111.0
109.3
111.7
120.2
Track Width(in) F/R
62.6/62.2
62.4/62.4
62.2/62.0
63.4/63.8
2018 Toyota Avalon Wheels
The Avalon gets 17-inch wheels in all but the Touring and Limited trims. Touring and Limited trims get the larger 18-inch wheels. While the Avalon Touring gets sporty dark painted wheels, the Avalon Limited gets luxury themed super-chrome wheels. Although 18-inch wheels do not compromise ride quality much, Toyota does offer optional 17-inch super-chrome alloys in Limited trim – attention to detail.
Model
2018 Toyota Avalon
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Dodge Charger
Size F/R (in.)
17*7/17*7
18*8/18*8
18*8/18*8
17*7/17*7
Quality
Aluminum
Aluminum
Steel
Aluminum
Wheel type
Alloy
Alloy
w/o alloy
Alloy
Safety
9.3/10
In a crash test, the NHTSA gave the new Toyota Avalon a perfect 5-star rating. In addition, the IIHS has named the Toyota Avalon the Top Safety Pick in the large sedan market for 2018.
The Toyota offers Toyota Safety Sense as standard bundled with the following modern active safety and driver assistance systems:
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
Traction Control (TRAC)
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Brake Assist (BA)
Smart Stop Technology (SST)
Ten airbags - includes driver and front passenger
Energy-absorbing collapsible steering column
Front and rear energy-absorbing crumple zones
Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Anti-theft system with engine immobilizer
Competition
9.0/10
2018 Toyota Avalon vs 2018 Nissan Maxima
While the Avalon has a calm and quiet appearance, Maxima's busy exterior will draw a lot of attention. Also, with its powerful engine and precise dynamics, the Maxima will appeal to those who appreciate athletic driving qualities. It combines all of these features with comfort, efficiency, and a high level of dependability. The Avalon, on the other hand, offers a significantly superior back seat that will cocoon you and your passengers.
2018 Toyota Avalon vs 2018 Chevrolet Impala
The Impala and the Avalon are nearly identical in terms of internal space, however, the Impala has a larger trunk. It comes equipped with a marginally more efficient but slower I4 engine. Also, the Impala is more exciting when driven around a corner. However, Toyota's ease of ownership and high resale value are unrivaled.
2018 Toyota Avalon vs 2018 Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger is a full-size sedan unlike any other. In fact, Avalon and Charger are diametrically opposed. The Charger is rear-wheel drive, has muscle car looks with loud colors, and boasts a full range of rumbling and tire-smoking V8s, whereas the Avalon has moderate appearance, FWD, and is serene and quiet. However, when it comes to transporting you over long distances with minimal fat, the Avalon clearly outperforms the Charger.
Final Verdict
The Toyota Avalon is a luxury car within with an innocuous Toyota badge and styling. It has a clear objective – to provide luxury car level comfort, space, and features at a reasonable price. It succeeds in that objective with excellent build quality, comfort, and smooth performance.
However, there is one caveat – its infotainment is not at all modern. Also, while navigation is available, it’s only offered on the higher XLE Platinum trim. And although the sloping roof is there and the Touring trim gets stiffened suspension, it’s never an exciting car.
So, if you are looking for more excitement and are willing to sacrifice rear seat comfort, get the Maxima. Need even more excitement? Get the Charger and spec it with a V8. On the contrary, the Camry is a car that keeps you refreshed and ready for work even after a transcontinental trip. Its hassle free ownership experience and slow depreciation reinforce that appeal.
