Used 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid comes close to Lexus in terms of comfort, refinement, and styling. Even the best audio system available (branded JBL) is sourced from the same operation that supplies those excellent Mark Levinson setups in Lexus vehicles.

Think of it as an affordable premium car that’s also more economical to run than a typical luxury limo. It can average about 44 miles per gallon. Yes, midsize hybrid sedans can do better. But comparing this figure with 26 mpg, 24 mpg, or 23 mpg in V6-powered versions of the Avalon, Nissan Maxima, and Chrysler 300, respectively, brings a different perspective. Approximately one in three new Avalon buyers is choosing this hybrid version.

This generation of Avalon (the fifth) launched in 2019, and the main change for 2021 is a lithium-ion battery taking the place of the previous nickel-metal hydride version. It hasn’t improved performance or fuel economy ratings, but Toyota has probably taken nickel-metal hydride technology as far as it can go.

Don’t worry about the difference, though. Toyota provides a warranty for the battery lasting eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever happens first.

The non-hybrid 2021 Toyota Avalon lineup is reviewed separately.

Even though the 2021 Avalon Hybrid doesn’t do the sporty large sedan thing like, say, a BMW 5 Series, it’s still composed as well as comfortable. The total muscle of 215 horsepower is on the modest side. The V6-powered full-combustion counterpart has 301 horsepower. But chances are a typical Avalon Hybrid buyer won’t be bothered by such things when there’s 44 mpg to achieve.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) has been engineered to mimic the action of a conventional 6-speed automatic. However, it’s still a case of put it in Drive and never give it another thought until it’s time to put it in Park or Reverse.

Selectable driving modes are EV (electric vehicle, running on battery power only), Eco, Normal, and Sport. One particularly smart addition is Auto Glide Control. It allows the car to coast on long downhill stretches, like putting a manual-transmission car into neutral to save gas but still keep all the systems working.

The XSE does have a slightly sportier suspension with bigger anti-roll bars than the other two trims, but it doesn’t exactly transform the car.

This is as lavish as Toyota gets. The 2021 Avalon Hybrid has plenty of space for five occupants and surrounds them with classy materials. Large glass areas are great for outward vision, and they make the cabin feel open and airy.

The XLE comes with simulated leather upholstery, but real leather on the steering wheel. The XSE has the same materials in the same places, but this time they’re perforated. It also comes with aluminum trim accents and aluminum pedals. 

The plushest Limited model enjoys real leather seating surfaces and real wood trim, along with ambient lighting and a head-up display.

Trunk space is 16.1 cubic feet. That’s pretty generous. And because the hybrid system’s battery pack is located under the rear seats, this is the same luggage area as the non-hybrid Avalon.

The (incredibly large) grille has a Toyota badge, but the Avalon Hybrid looks like it could easily be a Lexus. Both the XLE and Limited have chrome surrounds for that grille.

The XSE attempts to assert its sportier character with gloss black accents for the grille surround, side mirror housings, and a rear spoiler. These are complemented by dark gray 18-inch alloy wheels.

The XLE is fitted with silver-painted 17-inch wheels; the Limited’s wheels come with a chrome finish. The Limited also brings a little theatrical flourish with its dynamic rear turn signals.

SPACE
There’s 42.1 inches of legroom up front and 40.4 inches for rear passengers. The Lexus LS flagship luxury sedan has slightly less legroom and headroom in both rows.

PREMIUM JBL AUDIO SYSTEM
As mentioned in our overview, this 14-speaker/1,200-watt system comes from the same people behind the Mark Levinson brand. It even has the same Clari-Fi technology that improves the sound of MP3 files.

Every version of the 2021 Avalon Hybrid comes with a 7-in driver information display that includes readouts for the powertrain, keyless entry/start, acoustic glass for the windshield and front side windows, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and a vehicle approach noise system alerting pedestrians to the Avalon Hybrid’s presence.

The infotainment system in the XLE and XSE includes a 9-inch touchscreen, two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto/Amazon Alexa compatibility, Bluetooth, satellite radio (90-day subscription), and eight speakers.

An array of driver assistance features, known collectively as Toyota Safety Sense P (detailed in the Safety Technology section), is also standard throughout. The XLE gets blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert as well.

A powered moonroof and wireless charging are optional in the XLE, but become standard at the XSE level. Both of these trims are eligible for the 14-speaker JBL audio system and Wi-Fi connectivity, which are part of the Limited’s equipment inventory.

The XSE also adds a self-dimming rearview mirror with an integrated garage door opener. Limited adds adaptive cornering lights, dynamic rear turn signals, ambient cabin lighting, leather seating surfaces, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Only the Limited trim qualifies for an optional Advanced Safety package ($1,150), bringing a 360-degree/top-view camera system, front/rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic braking. Buyers may also order 19-inch alloy wheels.

The combination of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine (running on regular 87-octane gasoline) and two electric motors makes up the 2021 Avalon Hybrid drivetrain. One motor helps with drive, the other starts the engine and acts as a generator for the new-for-2021 lithium-ion battery pack.

Total system output is 215 horsepower. Toyota doesn’t quote maximum torque for its hybrids, and it’s not just a question of adding the engine’s and motors’ figures together.

This muscle is sent solely to the front wheels through a CVT. The lowest (yet still pretty lavish) XLE trim achieves the best fuel economy of 44 miles per gallon, but the other trims come really close.

2.5-liter inline-4 + 2 permanent-magnet electric motors
Total system output: 215 horsepower
Engine: 163 lb-ft of torque @ 5,700 rpm
Motor: 149 lb-ft of torque @ 0-1,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 43/44 mpg (XLE), 43/43 mpg (XSE, Limited)