TORRANCE, California — Toyota has come up with a new pricing strategy for its redesigned 2011 Avalon sedan, getting rid of the base model, which was priced under $30,000. The base 2011 Toyota Avalon starts at $32,995, including a $750 destination charge.
The base 2010 Avalon XL started at $28,695, including a $750 shipping charge.
Toyota said in a statement on Wednesday that "the number of Avalon model grades has been reduced from three to two, while the amount of standard equipment has increased, reducing the number of options and packages by 40 percent."
The top-of-the-line 2011 Toyota Avalon Limited starts at $36,235, including shipping. Toyota said additional standard equipment on the Limited includes enlarged perforated leather seats and seatbacks, driver and passenger eight-way power seats with lumbar support, driver seat and outside mirror memory systems, a driver seat cushion extension, heated and ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, a Smart Key system with push-button start, high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights and a power rear sunshade.
Both 2011 Avalon models get the carryover 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 linked to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The new Avalon goes on sale in mid-March.
Inside Line says: If you're looking for an under-$30K full-size sedan, look elsewhere. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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rjnjjwa says:
04:41 PM, 04/06/2010
We also have a 2003 Avalon XLS. Some of the writers don't think that the Avalon line is "exciting" or is "bland". We've owned Coronas (yep, Coronas - not Corollas), Camrys and now an Avalon. They're like the old adage, "Takes a licking and keeps on ticking". Boring?? How about reliable and mechanically one of the best brands on the market. Our Corona - never a problem. Our Camrys - never a problem. Our current Avalon - no problems. Not to diminish those folks who have had problem with their Toyota products, but that just simply has never happened to us. While I don't like Toyota covering up any problem, the fact is that, overall, they build solid, reliable cars that has NEVER caused us any problems. I've owned GM, Fords and Chryslers in the past - and every one of them had major mechanical problems. My money will continue to buy Toyota products until they prove that their quality and reliability has gone down the toilet. Period.
avalon2003k says:
08:02 PM, 04/05/2010
I have a 2003 avalon xls which now has 265000 miles and the conly non routine repai work was for seals and the co2 charcoal trapper. I have never owned a car that feels this intact or consistently performs this well in 33years of driving. OF course I am going to buy another one. How many other cars can produce these reuslts. A Merceds 200sd cost a fortune to maintain and died at 250000 miles, a peuget died at 50000 miles a pontiac died at 96000 miles . Need anyone ask why some of are committed avalon supporters ?
wheelz1 says:
06:11 PM, 03/10/2010
I went to a Toyota Dealer today to price an Avalon.
Boy, you'd never know they were the ONLY manufacturer in North America to lose sales last month.
These guys were $500 higher than their competition, and wanted ME to pay $100 to have the car I was interested in, driven to their dealership, from another dealership, ....IF I put down a $500 deposit on a car that I hadn't been able to look over and inspect.
What I love is the old "This is the invoice price....this is what we pay for the car.....this is our best price". Like they are doing me a favor.
Awesome! You guys are running a ZERO profit car business! Um, how do you pay for all these salesmen, and nice building on ZERO profit?
I wonder if I can get my next TV at Best Buy for the same price that Best Buy pays for the TV????
That should work.
bergamini says:
03:47 PM, 03/10/2010
I'm putting in an order for an '11 Avalon. The base model at $32K is a steal and my dealer told me $1,450 for the Navigation option....another steal. I hope to negotiate some on the base price but we shall see. I have an '04 XLS and paid only a little less for it. The cars are like a Lexus without the price tag. It is only a few $K higher than the top of the line Camry and Accord but it is larger and much more well equipped.
charlesb says:
07:41 AM, 03/08/2010
I looks like an improvement and moving the HID lights into the Limited package was a good idea.
jscion says:
01:38 PM, 03/07/2010
I think Toyota is in deep trouble. The fact that they are bringing out a new version of an existing model that was apart of a major recall, is just plain stupid. Toyota needs to get back to basics. This means getting rid of the excess. All-new versions of the Camry, Corolla, and Yaris should be their main priority!
debbaranko says:
04:08 AM, 03/06/2010
I woudn't feel safe with my family in any Toyota brand vehicle. Period
tbone85 says:
03:55 PM, 03/05/2010
I suspect they're paying for more pleasing styling and the cache of driving a Lexus.
dagmar3 says:
09:28 AM, 03/05/2010
The Avalon LTD has had high-end options for years that can only be found on cars costing over $50K - like adaptive cruise control; Xenon headlights; reclining rear seats; air conditioned seats; rear sun-shade. I don't understand why people pay more for the Lexus ES350 and get less. No wonder the Avalon is a favorite car of "The Millionaire Next Door" types. It is a bargain.
etanretla says:
07:40 AM, 03/05/2010
i dont understand why toyota still keeps this car in their lineup...especially considering the price range it falls under...its not even a category that toyota is competitive with...at over $30k, there are other models to choose from, and most expecially, having more character...(lexus es, cadillac cts, hyundai genesis...)