2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Review - First Drive
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Date: 2019-05-30
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Comments and reviews: 10
Jupitor Saturn
The car is very quiet except when accelerating. The drone of the engine annoyed me. If I buy I would add more sound deadening material. When not accelerating the car is significantly quieter than the Accord H. The car handles very well but feels much bigger than the Accord. The interior is much nicer and more comfortable than the Accord. I detest the interior and exterior of the Camry. I think the better driving dynamics of the Accord will sway my decision. It is more nimble and more fun when cornering. Interestingly I found the leather seats of the Accord uncomfortable. So Im comparing the Accord EX to the Limited. When Toyota said the cyclist and night time pedestrian detection will come later does that mean that the 2019 model can be upgraded? I currently use Android. It really bothers me that I will need to spend close to 1, 000 for a iPhone to get the connectivity I want. In the Avalon the roof line is much lower than the Accord. Im 62 and my view is restricted. Lowering the seat height alleviated the issue but I dont like the lower seating position.
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The car is very quiet except when accelerating. The drone of the engine annoyed me. If I buy I would add more sound deadening material. When not accelerating the car is significantly quieter than the Accord H. The car handles very well but feels much bigger than the Accord. The interior is much nicer and more comfortable than the Accord. I detest the interior and exterior of the Camry. I think the better driving dynamics of the Accord will sway my decision. It is more nimble and more fun when cornering. Interestingly I found the leather seats of the Accord uncomfortable. So Im comparing the Accord EX to the Limited. When Toyota said the cyclist and night time pedestrian detection will come later does that mean that the 2019 model can be upgraded? I currently use Android. It really bothers me that I will need to spend close to 1, 000 for a iPhone to get the connectivity I want. In the Avalon the roof line is much lower than the Accord. Im 62 and my view is restricted. Lowering the seat height alleviated the issue but I dont like the lower seating position.
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Mecury Marauder
You were slamming the Cadenza on mpg but it is a gas-only model. The Camry gas-only gets far less mpg than the hybrid Avalon also. 2018 Accord Hybrid Touring beats Avalon (and Camry, in almost everything. Avalon has: No remote start; Still No Android autoplay; A smaller trunk; Much less mpg; Tinny-sounding doors when closing; Ugly Large-Mouth Bass front end; Hump in center of rear floor; No luxurious climate control knobs; Slower 0-60. and all these short comings for 5000 - 6000 more than the top trim Accord. Ill take the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring. How does the 2018 Accord compare with the all-new 2018 Camry? Of ALL the top automotive magazine reviews claiming the Accord is a better car in all areas than the 2018 Camry, Motor Trend summed it up the best Toyota built a better Camry, Honda built a better car.
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You were slamming the Cadenza on mpg but it is a gas-only model. The Camry gas-only gets far less mpg than the hybrid Avalon also. 2018 Accord Hybrid Touring beats Avalon (and Camry, in almost everything. Avalon has: No remote start; Still No Android autoplay; A smaller trunk; Much less mpg; Tinny-sounding doors when closing; Ugly Large-Mouth Bass front end; Hump in center of rear floor; No luxurious climate control knobs; Slower 0-60. and all these short comings for 5000 - 6000 more than the top trim Accord. Ill take the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring. How does the 2018 Accord compare with the all-new 2018 Camry? Of ALL the top automotive magazine reviews claiming the Accord is a better car in all areas than the 2018 Camry, Motor Trend summed it up the best Toyota built a better Camry, Honda built a better car.
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Unsteady Cam
I like how Toyota has started selling ten blade razors, and adds them complementary on the front of a car. Seriously though - as nice as the interior is, I really dont like the deliberate gimping of features so they can throw it on a Lexus. Why anyone would choose this over a Camry or a Lexus ES is a mystery to me. The Camry is cheaper, looks better, and has more features (panoramic sunroof and red leather. The lack of Android Auto is irritating. No sunroof and just two-way lumbar on a base trim is awfully tacky at this price point, too. This is in the same price range as a Kia Stinger, but the Kia Stinger is far more compelling. Its nicer looking, faster, more luxurious, more features, and four wheel drive. The only thing it lacks is a hybrid/electric powertrain.
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I like how Toyota has started selling ten blade razors, and adds them complementary on the front of a car. Seriously though - as nice as the interior is, I really dont like the deliberate gimping of features so they can throw it on a Lexus. Why anyone would choose this over a Camry or a Lexus ES is a mystery to me. The Camry is cheaper, looks better, and has more features (panoramic sunroof and red leather. The lack of Android Auto is irritating. No sunroof and just two-way lumbar on a base trim is awfully tacky at this price point, too. This is in the same price range as a Kia Stinger, but the Kia Stinger is far more compelling. Its nicer looking, faster, more luxurious, more features, and four wheel drive. The only thing it lacks is a hybrid/electric powertrain.
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Matt Clark
Hey Alex, I love the way you compare cars and have been watching for a long time, and just had a thought: your ratings within a category are so consistent and helpful, and you do a good job of telling people in your narrative where the segment youre discussing is in the big picture. Would it be worthwhile to close the loop and give each segment youre comparing to a ride/handling/fuel economy/etc. score? Because in a way, when you say the Avalon is low or high in its segment, it may be cool to know that the Avalons segment overall is about a C on handling and an A on ride, or something like that. Keep up the great work
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Hey Alex, I love the way you compare cars and have been watching for a long time, and just had a thought: your ratings within a category are so consistent and helpful, and you do a good job of telling people in your narrative where the segment youre discussing is in the big picture. Would it be worthwhile to close the loop and give each segment youre comparing to a ride/handling/fuel economy/etc. score? Because in a way, when you say the Avalon is low or high in its segment, it may be cool to know that the Avalons segment overall is about a C on handling and an A on ride, or something like that. Keep up the great work
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Greg Sullivan
Arrrgghh I knew it was too good to be true - putting the battery under the seat loses rear head room: ( Im a limo driver in Australia, looking forward to the new ES, and we are only getting the hybrid. Up until now, I assumed that the new battery placement had no negatives at all. Somehow I think my best option is to hold on to my current car (a Holden Caprice) for as long as possible. Long wheelbase S-class space on a budget. Fantastic 6. 2L V8 engine. Praying we get the Caddy CT6 here one day, but even it doesnt appear to have as large a boot/trunk as the Caprice.
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Arrrgghh I knew it was too good to be true - putting the battery under the seat loses rear head room: ( Im a limo driver in Australia, looking forward to the new ES, and we are only getting the hybrid. Up until now, I assumed that the new battery placement had no negatives at all. Somehow I think my best option is to hold on to my current car (a Holden Caprice) for as long as possible. Long wheelbase S-class space on a budget. Fantastic 6. 2L V8 engine. Praying we get the Caddy CT6 here one day, but even it doesnt appear to have as large a boot/trunk as the Caprice.
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Dennis Dowd
The lack of 2. 0 safety system is a real turn off for me, especially considering the status of this car. I am looking at that power button and wondering if it changes color or look once the car is running. My sister has a RAV4 hybrid and that car is so quiet she doesnt know if it is running or not. If the power button on her car went red or something to indicate that the car is actually on would be helpful. She has actually walked away from the car, believing it is off, but it is actually running. Not a good thing.
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The lack of 2. 0 safety system is a real turn off for me, especially considering the status of this car. I am looking at that power button and wondering if it changes color or look once the car is running. My sister has a RAV4 hybrid and that car is so quiet she doesnt know if it is running or not. If the power button on her car went red or something to indicate that the car is actually on would be helpful. She has actually walked away from the car, believing it is off, but it is actually running. Not a good thing.
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Mamo
I think Alex may be a bit confused about the new Avalon line-up. According to other reviews there are basically two series now, one is on the luxury cushier side and the other more sporty. So, you have the XLE and Limited as the cushier Avalons and the XSE and Touring as the firmer more sporty Avalons. In other words, the XLE and Limited are now softer and less firm than the last-gen Avalon, which is different than how Alex describes them.
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I think Alex may be a bit confused about the new Avalon line-up. According to other reviews there are basically two series now, one is on the luxury cushier side and the other more sporty. So, you have the XLE and Limited as the cushier Avalons and the XSE and Touring as the firmer more sporty Avalons. In other words, the XLE and Limited are now softer and less firm than the last-gen Avalon, which is different than how Alex describes them.
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TEKnight Rider
Toyota continues hitting their vehicles VERY HARD with UGLY STICKS Maybe they will eventually figure out that people DO NOT want to drive cars that are ugly. so until people refuse. they are just going to keep it up. My 2013 Avalon Limited w/Tech Pack was way better looking. BUT the interior integrity was HORID. it was a rattle trap that dove me nuts to the point that I sold it. my 2015 Accord Hybrid Touring is rock solid
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Toyota continues hitting their vehicles VERY HARD with UGLY STICKS Maybe they will eventually figure out that people DO NOT want to drive cars that are ugly. so until people refuse. they are just going to keep it up. My 2013 Avalon Limited w/Tech Pack was way better looking. BUT the interior integrity was HORID. it was a rattle trap that dove me nuts to the point that I sold it. my 2015 Accord Hybrid Touring is rock solid
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Phil Harris
I know this has a very polarizing design. Its either a love it or hate it. I test drove a Limited the other day and absolutely fell in love with this car Different people have different tastes. This one appeals to me. And I usually prefer trucks or SUVs. I was so impressed with this car, Im probably going to buy one. Exactly the same color and options as this one. Its a whole lot of car for the money
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I know this has a very polarizing design. Its either a love it or hate it. I test drove a Limited the other day and absolutely fell in love with this car Different people have different tastes. This one appeals to me. And I usually prefer trucks or SUVs. I was so impressed with this car, Im probably going to buy one. Exactly the same color and options as this one. Its a whole lot of car for the money
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Jupitor Saturn
I found that the grill doesnt look as imposing in person as it does here. I suspect that has to do with the low angle of the camera. I like the line grill more because I tend to like the classy look. On the sport trims the vertical lines of the grill are too pronounced and keep it from looking really sharp. I really like the waterfall design. Get rid of the lines and the grill would look awesome.
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I found that the grill doesnt look as imposing in person as it does here. I suspect that has to do with the low angle of the camera. I like the line grill more because I tend to like the classy look. On the sport trims the vertical lines of the grill are too pronounced and keep it from looking really sharp. I really like the waterfall design. Get rid of the lines and the grill would look awesome.
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