Review
Introduction
It’s been called Toyota’s Buick, a sobriquet that might not sound flattering—unless you’re one of the many people who value a velvety ride quality, library-quiet operation, upscale appointments, living-room comfort, smooth power, and seamless power transfer. Those are attributes Buicks have long espoused, and the Avalon possesses them all in spades. Essentially a bigger edition of the front-drive Camry, the Avalon straddles the $30,000 frontier and delivers a lot of luxury-car features at edge-of-luxury prices.
Verdict
It’s not the kind of car that sets enthusiasts’ pulses racing—quite the opposite. But for those who set a high priority on quiet comfort in a full-size premium sedan with outstanding credentials for reliability, the Avalon stacks up as an excellent value.
Click here to read our full review of the Toyota Avalon.
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What’s New for 2008
A six-speed automatic transmission replaces the previous five-speed, and the braking system is upgraded. Minor changes to the front and rear fascias are complemented by new 17-inch wheels. The Avalon also gets new interior trim materials.
