Used 2020 Toyota Avalon

Top 10 Features of the 2020 Toyota Avalon

#1. Lexus-like refinement at Toyota prices
Lexus is Toyota’s luxury vehicle division, but this is where the two overlap. And the 2020 Avalon is a few thousand dollars less than a similar ES.

#2. Expansive rear passenger space
Rear legroom in the 2020 Avalon measures a generous 40.3 inches. And the rear seat is wide enough to take three adults instead of the usual two and a bit.

#3. Hushed cabin
Every 2020 Avalon has acoustic glass for the windshield and side windows.

#4. Toyota Safety Sense P
Fitted to every 2020 Avalon, this array of driver aids includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping. Blind-spot monitoring is also standard.

#5. Perfect crash test scores
It’s a full five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a “Top Safety Pick Plus” accolade from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the top two trims because of their superior headlights.

#6. Hybrid variant available
Those making low emissions a high priority will be just as comforted by the Avalon Hybrid XLE’s average of 44 mpg as they will by the extremely plush seating.

#7. Sweet V6
Toyota has plenty of hybrid expertise, but also makes a 301-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 that’s so refined and dependable it would impress a Swiss watchmaker. It’s the standard engine in the Avalon.

#8. Adaptive suspension
Available in Touring trim. An adaptive suspension — a setup that adjusts its settings within milliseconds according to the road and driver inputs — is the sort of feature more commonly found in premium marques like Mercedes-Benz.

#9. Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa
Every 2020 Avalon comes with these tech additions. Apple CarPlay integrates iPhones; Alexa allows users to lock/unlock doors and check fuel levels by speaking to an Alexa-enabled device.

#10. Resale values
The Avalon is expected to retain its worth much better than rivals like the Nissan Maxima, Kia Cadenza and Chrysler 300.

Overview

The 2020 Avalon is Toyota’s flagship sedan, the big brother to the Camry. This full-size sedan has comfortable ride manners, a roomy interior, standard V6 engine, and a strong history of reliability. Totally revamped just last year, the Avalon stays fresh with handsome design, technology including Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa integration, and Toyota’s robust suite of active safety features.

New for 2020 is a sportier TRD edition from Toyota’s performance division, while on the other end of the spectrum is a hybrid Avalon that earns up to 44 mpg. Perhaps just as noteworthy is the Avalon’s continued existence and updating. Former rivals such as the Ford Taurus, Chevrolet Impala and Buick LaCrosse have been axed as sales of full-size sedans lose favor.

But for traditionalists or road warriors seeking a big, comfortable sedan that easily eats up miles, the 2020 Toyota Avalon is our pick. About the only thing it lacks vs. competitors is the optional V8 and all-wheel drive of rivals like the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Challenger, or the lower starting price of the Kia Cadenza.

The Avalon has long excelled as a large, comfortable sedan with a ride quality so plush that it bordered on floaty. With last year’s revamp, that is no longer the case. It is still very comfortable and refined, but it has more edge. The Avalon is hardly a sports sedan, but that isn’t its intent.

Even the new Avalon TRD model, with a lower ride height and stiffer suspension, remains at its best as a comfortable cruiser. But for those times when you want a zippier experience, the Avalon won’t protest unduly if thrown into a corner.

This is mostly the case with the TRD and Touring models, the latter of which has an adaptive suspension system. The standard V6 provides plenty of oomph, and the 8-speed automatic transmission does its work smoothly and precisely behind the scenes. Close your eyes (well, not literally) and you might think you’re in a Lexus.

If you prioritize fuel economy, the Avalon Hybrid delivers. It uses a 4-cylinder engine and battery-electric powertrain. No plugging in is required; it functions just as a traditional vehicle. The Avalon Hybrid has less power than the V6 and subsequently feels a bit slower, but not laggardly. The upside is fuel economy over 40 mpg. That is very impressive for a full-size sedan.

The Avalon is at once roomy and refined, tech-forward yet still simple enough to use even by seasoned drivers. All models feature a prominent 9-inch touch-screen display with redundant physical controls. We also like that the Avalon has a traditional gearshift rather than buttons, dials or some other method deemed futuristic. Roominess remains a core asset of the Avalon, and a big reason buyers prefer Toyota’s flagship sedan to its Camry sibling.

Rear-seat legroom is impressive even for taller passengers, and the front seats are supple enough to make long treks feel shorter than they are. Even lower trims of the Avalon boast above-average fit and finish, while top-line trims with features like quilted leather paneling could pass for a vehicle by Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus. At over 16 cubic feet, the trunk is spacious, and fold-down rear seats add to the practicality. The new Avalon TRD model stands out with TRD-embroidered headrests, red stitching and assertive red seatbelts.

For its all-new generation that debuted last year, Toyota brought the sexy out for its Avalon sedan. Its more aggressive look is clearly an attempt to draw in younger buyers not interested in SUVs or wagons. From its massive wide-mouth grille to its distinctive character lines, the Avalon is all about impressing. There’s plenty of glass for good visibility, and the four corners are high enough to easily figure out where the car is, regardless of the driver’s position and seat height.

For those seeking an even sportier and more aggressive tone, the limited-edition 2020 Avalon TRD sits 0.6 inch lower, has an aero body kit and notable front splitter like a sports car, and wears 19-inch matte-black alloy wheels and a trunk-mounted spoiler.

STANDARD TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE PLUS (TSS-P)
Like many new Toyotas, the 2020 Avalon boasts an impressive suite of active safety and driver-assistance features at no extra cost. The TSS-P system includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, full-speed radar cruise control and more.

TOURING TRIM
The Touring trim is an overall excellent choice. You’ll still get the comfortable ride and feature-rich content of the Limited and XSE trims, but with more in the way of performance and driving enjoyment. If you can live without the Limited’s genuine leather seating, the Touring is the way to go.

Toyota’s Avalon comes in five main trims, but even the least expensive has a good roster of standard equipment and is easy to recommend. The base 2020 Avalon XLE includes heated and 8-way power-adjustable fronts seats, SofTex faux leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control with rear-seat air vents, keyless entry with push-button start, auto-dimming rearview mirror, four USB charge ports, and a 301-horsepower V6 engine.

Standard infotainment features a 9-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa integration (but no Android Auto yet), eight speakers and a 3-year trial of the Safety Connect system with features like an emergency-assistance button.

All 2020 Avalons feature extensive safety systems including forward-collision alert with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure/lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, radar cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. All Avalon models also come with two years or 25,000 miles of no-cost maintenance and roadside assistance.

Most major options come by climbing trims and include leather interior, heated rear seats and ventilated front seats, 10-inch color head-up display, universal garage remote, premium JBL audio system with navigation, moonroof, surround-view rearview camera, parking sensors and the ability to stop the vehicle if a rear collision is anticipated from cross traffic while backing up.

The Avalon Touring model has a special Sport+ driving mode in addition to the standard Eco/Normal/Sport settings, plus adaptive suspension. The Avalon XSE has a stiffer, sport-tuned suspension, while the new Avalon TRD model goes even further with a track-tuned suspension, larger front brakes, lower ride height and aerodynamic enhancements.

The Avalon hybrid trims largely mirror their gasoline counterparts and come in XLE, XSE and Limited trims.

With the Toyota Avalon, you can have a powerful car with good fuel economy, or really impressive fuel economy with good power. The standard Avalon comes with a 301-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The hybrid employs a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with two electric-motor generators and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Combined output is 215 horsepower, and combined fuel economy is up to 44 mpg.

The Toyota Avalon TRD has the standard V6 with no bump in power, but a performance exhaust and sportier suspension.

All 2020 Avalon models are front-wheel drive, and all run fine on regular 87-octane unleaded gasoline.

3.5-liter V6
301 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm
267 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/32 mpg (XLE trim), 22/31 mpg (all other trims)

2.5-liter inline-4 + electric motor (Avalon hybrid)
215 net hybrid system horsepower
Engine: 163 lb-ft of torque @ 5,700 rpm
Battery: 149 lb-ft of torque @ 0-1,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 44/44 mpg (XLE trim), 43/43 mpg (all other trims)