CHICAGO — Toyota carefully added a little spice to the redesigned 2011 Avalon, but not enough to turn off the Betty White crowd that has always been the full-size sedan's mainstay following. The new Avalon was revealed on Wednesday at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show.
The 2011 Avalon goes on sale in April. Pricing has not yet been announced.
Toyota gives the 2011 Avalon a more memorable and substantial grille, along with a bigger helping of chrome trim, redesigned rocker panels and new headlights. New 17-inch wheels on the Limited grade get a 10-spoke design with a flashy mirror finish.
Interior changes include what Toyota says are "highly readable" gauges "that use graduated white illumination with white pointers." The gauges are set in a new instrument panel. Rear headrests have been reshaped and enlarged. New standard equipment includes Bluetooth, XM Satellite Radio, and USB and auxiliary connections for iPod and other audio devices.
The redesigned Avalon gets the carry-over 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 linked to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Avalon will be available in two grades, base and Limited. Both grades have standard eight-way leather-trimmed power driver seats, a back-up camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, a moonroof and 17-inch alloy wheels. The Limited model adds such standard features as rain-sensing wipers, Smart Key and cooled leather seats.
Inside Line says: A much-needed freshening for Avalon, but not so outrageous as to freak out the key clientele. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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scottyscooter says:
08:58 AM, 04/26/2010
It looks like straightforward and smart design to me, I'm not sure why it is eliciting such a strong negative reaction.
*shrugs*
guy1974 says:
11:07 AM, 02/12/2010
yanker - really. The Acadia et al are good looking and if you think the Avalon is the height of automotive design then the Acadia should look like a supermodel to you.
Our GM car has had 150,000 no problems either. At least it didn`t have steering, brake, accelerator or floor mat issues!
yanker says:
09:35 AM, 02/12/2010
To each his own said the old lady as she kissed the cow Avaon is a great car. We can prove 150,000 mles no problem tell me aboput your d... buick and is there anything uglier than a GMC Acadia ,Chevrolet Equinox and Ford Escape?
yanker says:
09:31 AM, 02/12/2010
I like it and will have a look in April.
twinb says:
10:07 PM, 02/10/2010
Yikes! All these Lamborghini lovers driving 10-year-old Jeep Cherokees, dented, certainly have strong opinions about Avalon's styling.
xoquixxoqafxo says:
07:01 PM, 02/10/2010
why did they even bother?
flwind says:
03:45 PM, 02/10/2010
Interesting. From the side, it looks like a Japanese Taxi from the 90s. They just forgot the mirrors on the fenders.
phoenixc says:
03:20 PM, 02/10/2010
It came from HELL!!!! What is this!? I'm offended that they even have the nerve to 'update' it. It was ugly enough already, though the interior was cool, the fact that it looks like a melted POS is just offensive! Yuck!
93aero: Sadly I agree with you, which is why after owning 4 Subarus, I'm done. Toyota is trying to kill them by committe so they can steal their AWD systems, and then malign them with Corolla replicas (see Impreza sedan). It's all so damn sad!
93aero says:
03:05 PM, 02/10/2010
i think the front looks like the new subaru legacy........
lucien4 says:
02:08 PM, 02/10/2010
I like the current interior a lot better with the wider dashboard feel. The new interior looks like a Buick or any other car in this segment.