2011 Toyota Avalon Review, Price, Specs, what car reviews, The 2011 Toyota Avalon is redesigned with a wider grille, projector headlights, fog lights integrated into the trapezoidal bumper, reshaped taillights with LED lighting and dual exhaust. The interior is designed to be comfortable and spacious. The new instrument panel includes Optitron gauges with graduated white illumination and white pointers. The steering wheel contains controls for Bluetooth hands-free phone, audio system, climate-control system and information center. The Avalon is powered by a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine combined with a 6-speed automatic transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg city and 29 highway.

Powertrains and Performance
The front-wheel-drive 2011 Toyota Avalon is motivated by a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 268 hp and 248 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. The EPA’s fuel mileage estimates for the Avalon stand at 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient full-size sedans available.

Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2011 Toyota Avalon includes antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, active front head restraints, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and a driver-side knee airbag.
In government crash tests, the Toyota Avalon earned a perfect five stars in all frontal- and side-impact categories. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the Avalon earned the top score of “Good” for its protection of occupants in frontal-offset and side-impact crashes.

Interior Design and Special Features
The Toyota Avalon’s interior feels upscale and inviting thanks to its glowing gauges, attractive and ergonomic control layout and high-quality materials. This year’s redesigned dash and center stack, along with standard wood and metallic accents further the luxury ambience, making the Avalon impressively similar to its upscale cousins from Lexus.

The front seats are wide and accommodating, and with the Limited you also get heated and ventilated seats with a seat-cushion length adjuster. The rear seats are very comfortable as well. Legroom is abundant even by full-size sedan standards, and the rear seats boast a manually reclining back that allows passengers to stretch out on long trips. A 6-footer can sit in back with more than enough knee- and headroom, and with a nearly flat floor, getting three into the backseat on carpool day is no problem.

One minor annoyance is the inability to fold the rear seats (the trade-off for the reclining feature). The trunk measures 14.4 cubic feet, smaller than what’s available in other full-size sedans.

Driving Impressions
Not surprisingly, the 2011 Toyota Avalon is at its best on the open highway. The cabin remains quiet, the ultra-smooth V6 engine has plenty of passing power and the suspension swallows up road imperfections without drama. The Avalon is no athlete, though, so those interested in a slightly more involved driving experience should consider the Buick LaCrosse. The Avalon’s steering is too light to feel sporty, but it responds to driver inputs in a precise, fluid manner. Additionally, a tidy turning circle makes the Avalon feel unexpectedly maneuverable on tight city streets.

2011 Toyota Avalon Price :
Base
Base Retail Price (MSRP) : $33,195
Base Invoice Price : $29,876
Destination Charge : $760
Limited
Base Retail Price (MSRP) : $36,435
Base Invoice Price : $32,792
Destination Charge : $760

 

2011 Toyota Avalon Specifications :
General
• Body Style : Sedan
• Size : Fullsize
• Market Segment : Near-Luxury
• Weight : 3572 lbs
Exterior
• Length : 197.6 in.
• Width : 72.8 in.
• Height : 58.5 in.
• Wheelbase : 111.0 in.
• Ground Clearance : 5.3 in.
• Front Track : 62.2 in.
• Rear Track : 61.6 in.
• Weight Distribution : TBD
• Drag Coefficient : TBD
Interior – General
• Seats : 5
• Passenger Volume : 106.9 cu. ft.
• Cargo Volume : 14.4 cu. ft.
• Cargo Volume (Seats Folded) : TBD
Interior – Front Row
• Volume : TBD
• Leg Room : 41.3 in.
• Head Room : 38.9 in.
• Shoulder Room : 59.4 in.
• Hip Room : 55.8 in.
Interior – Second Row
• Volume : TBD
• Leg Room : 40.9 in.
• Head Room : 37.5 in.
• Shoulder Room : 58.2 in.
• Hip Room : 56.2 in.
Propulsion
• Fuel Type : Gas
• Engine Type : 3.5L V6
• Power : 268 hp @ 6200 rpm
• Torque : 248 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
• Transmission : 6-Speed Automatic
• Highway Fuel Economy : 28 mpg
• City Fuel Economy : 20 mpg
• Forced Induction : None
• Direct Injection : No
Chassis
• Layout : Front Wheel Drive
• Front Suspension : Strut-Type
• Rear Suspension : Strut-Type
Wheels
• Front : 17″ Aluminum
• Front Tires : P215/55 R17
• Rear : 17″ Aluminum
• Rear Tires : P215/55 R17
Trailering & Hauling
• Trailer Weight : 1000 lbs
• Payload
• Tongue Weight : TBD