2017 TOYOTA AVALON
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“You’re picking up a what?” “A Toyota Avalon,” I replied a number of times. If I had $5 for every time someone asked me what an Avalon looked like I would have had $25.
But even that amount of cash wasn’t close to helping me pay for the gas I used during my week behind the wheel of the 2017 Toyota Avalon, but more on that later.
I have to admit, even I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Avalon, which Toyota refers to as its “elegant and athletic full-size sedan.”
But after a week behind the wheel, I was surprised at the smooth ride and )curious as to why I don’t see a lot of them on the road.
It could be because I hadn’t really heard much about the Avalon, didn’t know what it really looked like and therefore didn’t know what too look for when trying to spot one on the roads.
But a quick look at Toyota’s sales figures for March may also tell a story. The Avalon isn’t mentioned in the Canadian report, (by the way Toyota truck and Corolla sales are going through the roof) and in the U.S. the numbers aren’t great.
Trucks, CUVs and smaller cars are selling well in Canada but there will always be a place for the well-made full-size sedan, especially now that Canada’s population features more and more older drivers.
The Toyota Avalon would be a good choice for those older drivers looking for a smooth ride with enough technology to keep their grandkids or kids interested in what they are driving.
My tester for the week was the Avalon Limited that has a starting MSRP price of $44,540. The Avalon Touring has a starting price of $39,900. A few of the upgrades to the Limited from the Touring include a JBL audio system, threezone independent climate controls, a power rear window sunshade and a wireless charger for personal electronics.
The Avalon features a 3.5 litre, six-cylinder engine matched to a six-speed automatic electronically controlled transmission.
It might not look like it, but put this car into sport mode and put your foot to the floor and you are pushed back into your seat. I can’t remember feeling power like that before. But with great power comes great cost. As I mentioned at the start, the Avalon sucked up the gas. I swear I saw the gas gauge actually move while I was having fun with the kick this car provides.
During my week, I made two trips to Toronto and one to Hamilton to pick one of my sons up from school. The gas for the week was $85 and that’s a serious consideration for anyone looking to buy this car.
But if gas prices are not a concern, the Avalon is a good-looking car both inside and out.
The outside looks like a longer, sleeker version of a Hyundai Elantra. The inside is like the Elantra on steroids.
The seven-inch touch display is a cinch to use and the premium stereo system offers great sound.
Kudos to Toyota for leaving the CD player in the car. Lately, all the cars I have tested don’t have the CD player which has cut down on the songs I have been able to listen to.
The Avalon also comes standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense P which includes pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, dynamic radar cruise control, that adjusts the distance between yourself and the car in front of you when the cruise is on, and automatic high beams.
With more than enough room for five the Avalon should be on your list if you are in the market for a wellmade sedan.