why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2009 Toyota Avalon

Please enter a valid mileage

View all 2 photos

Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Toyota Avalon

Overview

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2009 Toyota Avalon Review

By KBB.com Editors

The 2009 Avalon is Toyota's flagship sedan. One step above the popular Camry, the full-size Avalon offers a generous interior packed with so much luxury many owners consider the car to be almost Lexus-like. In what has long been the domain of the domestic automakers, the Avalon offers full-size car buyers a modern, front-wheel-drive sedan with an impeccable history of excellent service, outstanding quality and best-in-class resale. Beyond its solid engineering attributes, the Avalon also offers customers a powerful yet fuel-efficient V6 engine, a huge and easily accessible trunk and a sense of style not found in more traditional sedans.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you need ample rear-seat space, Toyota promotes the Avalon's "tunnel-less flat-floor design," which translates to rear-seat roominess. And if your financial future is a high priority, the 2009 Toyota Avalon gives you Lexus-quality materials at a price (and resale value) that say Toyota all the way.

You May Not Like This Car If...

The Avalon is not much larger than the Honda Accord or even the Toyota Camry. Those seeking to save a few dollars may be just as happy in the top trim levels of these so called "family" sedans. Also, younger shoppers might shun the Avalon because of its older-owner image.

What's New for 2009

For 2009, the Avalon receives Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction control and brake assist as standard equipment. The Touring trim has been discontinued with many of its standard features moved to other trims.

Driving the Avalon

Driving Impressions The 2009 Toyota Avalon has a personality even more distinct from the Camry, along with Lexus-like attributes. On good roads, the ride is generally smooth. Still, the relatively taut suspension...

delivers noticeable harshness when encountering certain bumps and holes. Acceleration is sufficiently assertive, but the Avalon feels like a heavy automobile. Though not up to European sport-sedan levels, the Avalon has responsive steering and handles with reasonable agility. An abundant glass area helps with overall visibility. Side bolstering is modest, but the seats are supportive and nicely cushioned. Rear headroom is so-so, but leg space is abundant and the reclining seats are helpful.

Favorite Features

Safety Features
Seat-mounted airbags, side-curtain airbags and a knee airbag for the driver are standard on all models. Vehicle Stability Control is also standard.

Reclining Rear Seatbacks
Standard on all Avalons, the five-position rear-seat recliners adjust from a 25 to 35-degree seatback angle.

2009 Toyota Avalon Details

Interior

Spacious and handsome, the 2009 Toyota Avalon looks inviting and feels comfortable. Extra width gives occupants another inch of shoulder space. Instruments are large and symmetrical, though smaller readouts are harder to see. Lustrous woodgrain on high-end models helps make the dashboard attractive and distinctive. The glovebox is large, but sits low. A pushbutton starter is included with the Limited trim; you don't even have to hold the button in, just push and release. To entice younger buyers, the Touring model has a unique interior with a sportier charcoal dashboard trim.

Exterior

As promised, this four-door sedan looks different enough from the Camry to attract a separate set of customers. Details count. Wide-opening doors have three-stage door checks to ease entry and exit. The back doors open wide – to almost 90 degrees. Jointless flat windshield-wiper blades are half the usual thickness and are said to ensure even pressure and reduce wind turbulence. Limited sedans have rain-sensing wipers and an acoustically-dampening windshield. Each trim level has its own wheel design: 16-inch for the XL and 17-inch for other models.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

All Avalons use a six-speed automatic transmission. Anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) incorporate Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). Traction and stability control are also standard, as are steering wheel-mounted audio controls and dual-zone climate control. Seat comfort is enhanced by reclining rear seatbacks and adjustable-length front cushions. The XLS trim adds leather seating, 17-inch alloy wheels and a power moonroof. Perforated leather upholstery, a JBL Synthesis 360-watt system with 12 speakers plus Bluetooth connectivity and heated front seats are included with the Limited trim. All models include front seat side-impact airbags, front and rear side-curtain airbags, driver's-side knee air bag, a six-disc CD changer and an auxiliary audio input jack.

Optional Equipment

XLS and Limited models offer a GPS navigation system with voice recognition that responds to 200 commands. Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, which lets you set the preferred distance you wish to maintain from the vehicle ahead, is optional on the Limited. Three radios are available, including a JBL Synthesis 360-watt system with 12 speakers, and the dealer-installed remote engine starter works from up to 80 feet away.

Under the Hood

The Avalon's V6 qualifies as one of the best in the business. It's so silent at idle that glancing at the hovering tachometer needle might be the only way to be sure the engine is actually running. Power for passing and merging is excellent, as are the seamless shifts offered up by the new six-speed automatic transmission. Despite its ample size and quick acceleration, the Avalon offers fuel economy figures comparable to some four-cylinder economy cars.

3.5-liter V6
268 horsepower @ 6200 rpm
248 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/28

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Toyota Avalon vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2009 Toyota Avalon Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.2

Out of 10

Based on 425 Ratings for the 2005 - 2012 models.

Review this car

Value

9.3/10

Quality

9.3/10
Reliability

9.4/10

Performance

9.3/10
Comfort

9.5/10

Styling

9.2/10

Bought the 2006 Avalon new

By topcatac3 (NC) on Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 172,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 6/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Dependability, spacious interior, quiet ride"

Cons: "needs second power source and both in easier acces"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought my 2006 Avalon and would buy another in a minute. In the 7 years that I have had it, the only service stops at the Toyota dealer have been normal maintenance. Not one thing has gone wrong with it. The comfort and interior spaciousness are unbeatable. If yoiuir looking ofr a long term, dependable vehicle, the Avalon would be my choice."

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Best car I could ever want to have!

By donna (IN) on Sunday, May 12, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 29,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "value, comfort, luxury"

Cons: "none"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is the 2nd avalon I have owned, having bought both as new cars. I cannot stress how reliable, comfortable, luxurious and valuable both have been. I had the first for >150,000 miles and it NEVER failed me. I only had to to preventative maintenence.....oil changes, tires, suspension, etc. I will never have anything but an avalon, assuming Toyota keeps making them (and why would they not?)."

4 people out of 7 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Best Car(s) I have owned

By Miz (OH) on Monday, April 22, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 108,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Rides Great, Very roomy, Excellent road handling"

Cons: "none that I can think of"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is my second Avalon, and I would buy another one in a heartbeat. When I sold my old Avalon, I hated to part with it, but my daughter's roommate needed a car, and I was ready for another car. I bought a Volve (excellent car too), but one day a couple of years later I drove my old Avalon again, and I just HAD to get another Avalon. I looked for a few weeks and got myself a used 2005 Avalon, and have loved it. There is nothing bad I can say about this excellent vehicle."

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Second best car I ever owned

By Dave (SC) on Monday, April 22, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 110,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "roomy, comfortable, reliable. Good mpg"

Cons: "GPS takes a wizard to figure it out."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Roomy, comfortable, reliable, good looking, and gets 31+ mpg at 75+mph. The trunk is enormous and the reclining back seats are very comfortable. Worst thing about it is the GPS--GUI is not user friendly. Logic flow is flawed. New ones may be better. Oil changes and tires are the only expenses so far."

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

THIS CAR IS YEARS AHEAD OF THE PACK

By jim on Sunday, April 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 38,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH ALL OPTIONS,AND AM ONLY NOW STARTING TO SEE IMITATORS. THE LASER CRUISE CONTROL,COOLED LEATHER SEATS,RECLINING REAR SEATS,VOICE ACTIVATED NAV,FULL SIZE ALLOY SPARE,COUPLED WITH GOOD MILEAGE ON FUEL(34 MPG SANS ETHANOL)MAKE IT HARD TO RPLACE. IT HAS NEVER NEEDED A REPAIR AND STILL GETS POSITIVE COMMENTS FROM ALL WHO EXPERIENCE IT. MOVING FROM 2 CARS TO ONE IS MY ONLY REASON FOR CONSIDERING REPLACEMENT. tHIS IS A VERY UNDER SOLD TOYOTA PRODUCT."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Poor quality materials and construction.

By Willie (TX) on Saturday, March 02, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 27,257

10 2.0

overall rating 2 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 2/10
Value: 3/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "Quiet and powerful"

Cons: "Very cheap materials and poor construction."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Many components obviously from the "low bidder." Garage kept, but dash developed many cracks after 6 years and dealer said it would cost over $1,900 to replace; splash guard under engine had body cutouts for 3 fasteners, but only one had been installed (when the splash guard disconnected under warranty it was an ordeal to get the dealer to replace more than the one fastener that had originally been installed); remote door openers and car battery all failed within 3 year warranty period (replacement car battery then failed in just over 3 years, costing about $250 for towing and replacement); plastic connector for 3 vacuum lines was so cheap it just crumbled within 3 years; hubcap Toyota emblem just fell off; and, had to call a general manager to get the maintenance manager to return my call after Toyota customer service failed to help with one problem. Moreover, 4 recalls!"

5 people out of 11 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

See all 425 reviews