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2019 Toyota Avalon Pros vs Cons

Why Buy a 2019 Toyota Avalon?
Reviewed & fact checked by
James Murdoch

Are You Considering a 2019 Toyota Avalon? Here Are Some Reasons For and Against

The Toyota Avalon ranks among the best options for buyers looking for a large car. It is completely redesigned for 2019 and has some great new features and standard equipment. The Avalon has been equipped with many high end safety features at the standard trim level. Buyers will also enjoy the sleek styling of the exterior and the multitude of interior options at each trim level. In the Avalon, the base model is just a sample of the great features available. The Avalon makes every effort to afford its buyer luxury.

What’s New for 2019:

The Avalon has more horsepower, better gas mileage and more standard features for 2019. It also offers new upgrades like a heads up display and Apple CarPlay. As a newly redesigned car in 2019, it also offers a lower and wider stance for better handling than the 2018 model.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2019 Toyota Avalon – The Pros

1. More horsepower and better gas mileage

The 2019 Toyota Avalon offers a 3.5 liter, 301 horsepower V6. It gets 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. It is a marked improvement over the 2018 model, offering both more horsepower and better efficiency. The Avalon gets better gas mileage than most of its competitors without sacrificing the exciting driving experience of a powerful V6. The engine performs well in acceleration and passing evaluations.

2. Toyota Safety Sense comes standard

Toyota's driver assistance package is included at every trim level of the Avalon. It includes automatic braking with pedestrian awareness. The car will alert the driver in the event of a possible collision and will also apply the brakes. The Safety Sense package also includes Lane Departure Assist and will alert the driver to drifting in the lane. The Avalon is also able to independently correct the error. The standard package also includes automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control.

3. Additional standard safety features

The 2019 Toyota Avalon includes a standard rearview camera and rear cross traffic alert. The Avalon comes equipped with blind spot monitoring, ten airbags and the Star Safety System. The Star Safety System is a Toyota standard safety system and includes stability control, traction control, electronic brake distribution and brake assist.

4. Sport and Eco driving mode feature

The Avalon allows the driver to switch from normal driving mode to sport or eco mode with the push of a button. Sport mode engages the adaptive variable suspension to make the car more responsive in turns. It can be quite an exhilarating car to drive. Eco mode allows the driver to sacrifice responsiveness and power for more fuel efficiency.

5. Entune 3.0 and mobile app

The Avalon comes with a nine inch floating infotainment screen or stack. It features easy to use navigation and the Entune 3.0 system. Entune 3.0 allows you to run apps on the screen. The app suite is managed online and incudes a variety of applications. The Entune 3.0 feature also offers remote connect for your mobile device so you can lock and unlock your Avalon. It also features parking reminders and remote start from your mobile device.

6. Luxurious interior options

Each trim level adds refinement to the beautifully refined interior. The base model features SofTex trimmed heated front seats. The XSE adds Ultrasuede to the front seats and also incorporates genuine aluminum accents to the interior trim and pedals. It also offers a leather wrapped steering wheel. The Touring package includes a 10 inch heads-up display for the driver, illuminated cupholders and door handles. The Limited trim level includes genuine wood interior trim and leather trimmed front seats. Each trim level takes the interior in a different direction for multiple options depending on taste.

7. The engine can be loud and aggressive or quiet as a mouse

The Avalon features Engine Sound Enhancement at select trim levels. It uses the sound system to accentuate the noise of the engine for a more thrilling ride. Also available is Active Noise Control which sends noise cancelling sound through the cabin to keep the ride serene and peaceful.

8. Optional hybrid models

Available in the 2019 Toyota Avalon is the 2.5 liter dynamic force engine. It is paired with a powerful electric engine to maximize fuel economy. The hybrid gets an estimated 44 mpg on the highway. It also features an ECO mode for better fuel efficiency and EV mode which operates the car solely through the electric motor. Operating the EV mode offers less noise and emissions.

9. The XLE offers excellent standard features for a base model.

The 2019 Toyota Avalon XLE offers an impressive variety of upscale standard features. The XLE comes with heated front seats, WiFi hotspot and the Entune system on a nine inch touch screen. It also comes with Toyota Safety Sense features, the backup camera, blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert. It is an impressive base model with a 301 horsepower V6 and sport driving mode. You also get Apple CarPlay and satellite radio.

10. Excellent premium upgrades.

The base model isn't the only thing to get excited about with the Avalon. The premium upgrades include smart watch compatibility as well as wireless phone charging. It also has an Advanced Safety Package that includes parking sensors, rear cross traffic braking and an upgrade to a birds eye view camera. The Avalon also offers a heads-up display and heated and ventilated front seats.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2019 Toyota Avalon – The Cons

1. No optional All Wheel Drive

The newly redesigned 2019 Toyota Avalon offers only front wheel drive capabilities. Many of the top cars in this category offer an all wheel drive option. The Avalon offers responsive handling and sport driving mode, but not the added assurance of all time all wheel drive.

2. High base model price tag

The 2019 Toyota Avalon XLE is more expensive than many other base models in this category. If buyers are looking for a cheap base model they will have to look elsewhere. However, the XLE does offer some spectacular standard features. The Toyota Safety Sense package is standard as well as a laundry list of other rather appealing items. The price gap between the top trim levels of the Avalon and other top trim levels is not significant. If buyers are not simply looking at the base models, there is potential value with the Avalon.

3. The infotainment system is inconsistent in quality

While the Entune 3.0 and its app suite capabilities are exciting, the infotainment system also has some drawbacks. 2019 is the first year the car will have Apple CarPlay, but there is no Android Auto for the 2019 Toyota Avalon. The navigation system has been said to be clunky, and touch screen responsiveness also leaves something to be desired.

How it stacks up to the competition:

The Avalon may have a higher than average base price, but the sheer number of standard safety features makes up for it. The Kia Cadenza is a strong competitor in the large car category, but the base model cannot match the standard features in the Avalon. Toyota's decision to make the Toyota Safety Sense suite a standard offering basically changes buyers' expectations of what comes standard in a car. One sticking point with the Avalon is the lack of an all wheel drive option. The Buick Lacrosse is one competitor that offers AWD, but it cannot match the Avalon when it comes to available upgrades. The 2019 Toyota Avalon also offers very competitive gas mileage, which makes it an appealing option compared to other vehicles in its class.

Conclusion:

The newly redesigned 2019 Toyota Avalon is greatly improved. It offers more horsepower and better fuel economy than last year and also rides better due to its wider stance. Buyers will love the inclusion of so many standard safety features in the 2019 Toyota Avalon. The Toyota Safety Sense suite and backup camera are great additions to the base model. The Avalon also offers a multitude of interior upgrades so buyers can pick a vehicle that suits their tastes. The makers of the Avalon have paid great attention to detail and loaded the Avalon with innovative premium features. The Avalon offers great premium upgrades like a mobile app and smartwatch pairing. The Avalon redesign for 2019 makes it one of the most modern and advanced large cars on the market.

Previous Toyota Avalon Buying Guides:

Why buy a 2018 Toyota Avalon? w/ pros vs cons