2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Sedan

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. 

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.

On the road, the Hybrid doesn't feel significantly slower than the V6, with the electric motor making up for some of the four-cylinder's power deficiencies. And there's decent passing power to keep yourself out of trouble on the freeway. Given its excellent fuel economy and low price premium of $1,000 over a comparable V6 model, we think it's the powertrain to get for the majority of buyers. - Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

Powering the 2020 Avalon Hybrid is the 2.5L 4 cylinder inline engine which is fairly capable given the price of the base XLE trim. It produces class-leading 215 hp coupled with 176 lb/ft of torque at 3600 rpm. You won't be disappointed with the performance of the engine for the most part. However, it does feel a little under-powered while driving uphill. It also has an active hybrid system and the battery is relocated from the trunk to below the rear seat that makes the cargo space a tad bit bigger than the 2018 version.

The Avalon Hybrid's 2.5-liter four-cylinder inline engine is mated with two motors tucked into the transaxle. Those motors are sustained by nickel-metal hydride batteries.

Models	2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid (XLE)	2020 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid	2020 Buick Lacrosse Hybrid	2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
MRSP	$ 36,650	$ 36,370	$ 38, 995	$31,300
Engine	2.5L inline 4-cylinder	2.5L inline 4-cylinder	2.0L Atkinson inline 4-cylinder	2.0L Nu 2.0 GDI inline 4-cylinder
Hybrid type	Active Hybrid	Mild Hybrid	Active Hybrid	Active Hybrid
Transmission	CVT	6 Speed A/T	CVT	6 Speed A/T
Horsepower (hp)	215	194	188	193
Torque (lb-ft)	176	188	187	151
Drive	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD

It comes with CVT gearbox. The shifting of the gearbox is very responsive and you don't feel like taking control yourself. However, if you are one of the folks who like to be in control of the shifts, you can easily do so in the manual mode. There is also the eco mode which is perfect for day to day driving in the city. For the long drives on the highway, Toyota has got you covered and included to sport mode which can increase the output of the engine.

Acceleration

Hybrid cars are not the fastest ones to accelerate, especially when they are family sedans. The focus is more on a smooth ride instead. You will not be treated with a sudden burst from the engine that will get your heart beating fast. Instead, you will be treated with a steady and smooth ride that will make you smile.

Models	2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid (XLE)	2020 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid	2020 Buick Lacrosse Hybrid	2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
0-60 mph (sec)	7.8	8.7	N/A	8.3
Quarter mile (sec)	15.7 at 90 mph	16.6 at 85 mph	N/A	16.6 at 84 mph

Avalon was the fastest accelerating car with 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds and quarter-mile timing of 15.7 seconds at 90 mph owing to its lightweight and more powerful engine. But its comparatively slower than the regular version Avalon which has a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds.

Braking

Avalon Hybrid comes equipped with 4 disc brakes and standard brake assist along ABS which is the standard across all the cars in the segment. Considering the fact that the car is a family sedan, the braking system is adequate.

Models	2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid (XLE)	2020 Lincoln MKZ	2020 Buick Lacrosse	2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Brake assist	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard
Disc Brakes	4	4	4	4
Curb weight (lbs)	3638	3490	3871	3560
60-0 mph (ft)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

The data for braking test, 60-0 mph, was not available for comparison.

Ride and Handling

Toyota has been known to produce cars that has excellent ride quality. Customers get a sense of assurance while driving a Toyota car. Toyota puts in lots of hard work behind the scenes to ensure that the trust of the customers are kept intact and they have not disappointed with the Avalon Hybrid.

The ride inside an Avalon Hybrid will is extremely smooth. The 2.5L 4 cylinder inline engine is very reliable and seamlessly shifts up and down. The steering is extremely smooth and responsive. It can effortlessly take sharp turns without dislocating the passengers from their seats. Cruising through the city lanes is easy and doesn't demand much of hand gymnastics from the driver.

The new suspension is quite firm in the XLE and XSE trims which results in a smooth ride. You will not feel small bumps on the road. However, if you want to feel the road, opt for the limited version which has a more dynamic suspension and gives you the feel of a sports car.

If you are from the north however, there might be some issues when you drive this car on the snow. Toyota does not provide an all-wheel-drive which can get you stuck on the snow. Toyota decided to go with the front-wheel-drive to improve on the fuel economy which is class-leading in this car.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.