2019 Toyota Avalon Review

With a potent 301-horsepower V6 mated to a smooth-shifting transmission, the 2019 Avalon has good power to get up and go. It is also pleasant to use in most scenarios, from long road trips and afternoon cruises to day-to-day commutes and short errands around town. Braking is consistent and never grabby, which lends to its comfort in daily use. The surprising thing about the Avalon is its athleticism — its shockingly enjoyable handling and drivability. While not a sport sedan, this cruiser can handle twisty roads with relative ease for a vehicle of its size. Think about a mobile defensive end or tackle in football as opposed to an athletic linebacker.

Comfort is a strength for the Avalon and is probably the primary reason you'd consider such a large sedan. All seating positions give you ample cushioning and support for long drives or short cruises. The leather in our Touring trim is very soft and gives the sensation that it is more upscale than it is. The ride is cushioned and makes you feel like you're shielded from the harsh roads of the outside world. The cabin feels really cozy due to the climate control's quick heating and cooling characteristics. While there is no rattling or shaking inside the cabin, road noise is somewhat present at all times.

The Avalon Touring's cabin is a decent place to be. It is roomy and user-friendly. There are even redundant key functions located on the steering wheel. Legroom is abundant, the driving position is superb due to its multitude and depth of adjustments, and visibility is great up front and modest to the sides and over the shoulder. As far as controls go, two minor issues: The radio tuning knob can be a reach for some and a couple of functions, such as turning on the camera view, are tucked away. While legroom is a strength, headroom can feel a little compromised for taller people — especially in the rear due to the sloping roofline. Lastly, the low-resolution rearview camera and display could use an upgrade.

While cargo capacity is average on paper, it feels more convenient compared to some others due to its wide trunk opening, broad floor and convenient loading height. You might be disappointed if you're the type who folds the rear seats to expand the space because there's a sizable step up to the folded seats.

Inside, there are numerous small cubbies, plenty of cupholders, and a center console that's sizable and surprisingly deep. The door pockets are average, but there are enough other options that it's not a concern. The Avalon really shines when it comes to fitting child safety seats. The Isofix-style car seat anchors are easy to access, and the huge rear bench has space enough for just about any type of seat.

Toyota's Entune 3.0 system and its new 9-inch touchscreen are surprisingly good. Apple CarPlay support makes things so much better, but Android Auto is still absent. The display is bright and responds well to inputs, but Toyota tends to lock out more functions while you're driving than other carmakers.

There's one USB port for data and four 2.1-amp power-only USBs — two up front and two in back. The front console also houses a wireless charging pad. The car's built-in voice controls are hit or miss — it's better at understanding radio commands than navigation commands. We had much more success using Siri via Apple CarPlay.

All Avalons come standard with a comprehensive suite of active driver safety aids that covers just about everything. The optional Advanced Safety package adds a 360-degree camera, parking clearance sensors and rear cross-traffic braking intervention.