New Avalon is "Way cooler" than its predecessor

[gmsickofan]

Toyota Avalon
The "Most American" Toyota ever made?
by Justin Kaehler
E-mail Justin: http://cars.ign.com/email.html

The Avalon is Toyota's attempt to lure American buyers to the brand. It's not like Toyota needs any help getting new customers, but the company felt that it was "lacking" something, namely a big-ass sedan. Toyota's "big-ass" sedan is, of course, the Avalon, and it has done well sales-wise. However, most of those sales have been to consumers well into their 60's and above. This demographic isn't exactly seen as "repeat customers".

So, Toyota went back to the drawing board and created a more stylish and sporty Avalon in an effort to gain younger customers. The new car is bigger, more powerful, more refined and a hell of a lot sleeker than its predecessor. The new sculpted look, sporty front fascia and large tail lenses show that this new car isn't your grandpa's Avalon.

The old Avalon felt kind of weak and the ride was incredibly soft -- which makes it a perfect car for the old folk. Even the interior of the last Avalon we tested seemed like it was lifted from the Hornicle's grandma's Buick. It sure wasn't a car that we wanted to spend time in.

To be honest, we really weren't looking forward to reviewing this car, as we couldn't shake the image of the Avalon being an "old person's car" from our minds. After all, we've been driving Evos and NISMO cars, so the Avalon would surely be a huge step down, right?

Wrong. The new Avalon is way cooler than its predecessor -- especially in the Touring trim, which happens to be the trim level of Avalon we're reviewing. We'll let the pictures of the car "do the talking" when it comes to the car's exterior, so we'll move on and talk about the car's cabin.

While the front seats are comfortable enough, passengers in the rear have a pretty comfortable area, too. Headroom in the back is lacking slightly, but only for people over 6 feet tall. Legroom, on the other hand, is immense. The Avalon has the most rear-seat legroom we've ever seen -- and we're counting massive SUVs here, too. This is one Toyota that is ready for chauffeuring duty right out of the box.

It's not sporty enough for us, but we don't have kids or a mortgage or anything like that. This new Avalon is probably too "aggressive" for the elderly crowd, but it's sure to appeal to the mid-50's crowd (i.e. our parents).

Torture yourself to more: http://cars.ign.com/articles/641/641833p2.html

[griswold44]

This review sounds like it was written by a teenager, but is was pretty funny. Nice car too.

[T-Type]

Sigh.....why do you people keep posting reviews from these guys? They make their living playing video games for goodness sake! This car review thing is just a sidebar for them. They are just tools for Toyohonda.

[Aerodynamix]

I don't like it at all. I mean both the article and the Avalon. It was written by an amature who seems to favour the factory 'rice rockets' from the Japanese automakers by making reference to Mitsu Evo and Nissan Nismo cars. He also managed to squeeze in a bash on Buick interiors which I've never really had anything against. IMO, the interior of this new Avalon looks very sterile and bland. The exterior isn't any better either.

[griswold44]

I'm still laughing at the review. Hilarious.

[griswold44]

Originally Posted by Aerodynamix

I don't like it at all. I mean both the article and the Avalon. It was written by an amature who seems to favour the factory 'rice rockets' from the Japanese automakers by making reference to Mitsu Evo and Nissan Nismo cars. He also managed to squeeze in a bash on Buick interiors which I've never really had anything against. IMO, the interior of this new Avalon looks very sterile and bland. The exterior isn't any better either.

It doesn't matter if the interior looks bland (It looks fine to me) it's the materials that count (which are top notch). BTW Buick interiors do need help.

[stevecmh]

"Avalon is way cooler "
Can this author even drive yet. He just sounds immature. I wonder what Scion he drives?

[W.A.F.U.]

Originally Posted by griswold44

It doesn't matter if the interior looks bland (It looks fine to me) it's the materials that count (which are top notch). BTW Buick interiors do need help.

Most people spend more time looking at the interior than feeling it up.

That being said, the interior is rather bland but it will function fine as with most Toyotas.

[GMCSonoma]

ISH! The 2005 Avalon I looked at was typical Toyota, down to the wet bamboo wood smell inside!

[griswold44]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

ISH! The 2005 Avalon I looked at was typical Toyota, down to the wet bamboo wood smell inside!

Toyota's don't smell like wet bamboo for crying out loud. No offense something is wrong if you think that.

[GMCSonoma]

Originally Posted by griswold44

Toyota's don't smell like wet bamboo for crying out loud. No offense something is wrong if you think that.

Most Asian car interiors do. It is the plastics, vinyls and the seating foam that they use. Nothing wrong with my sense of smell!

[griswold44]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

Most Asian car interiors do. It is the plastics, vinyls and the seating foam that they use. Nothing wrong with my sense of smell!

Maybe it was the particular car, because I sat in a new Avalon, and it smelled fine. Besides you don't know who has been in those cars.

[GMCSonoma]

Originally Posted by griswold44

Maybe it was the particular car, because I sat in a new Avalon, and it smelled fine. Besides you don't know who has been in those cars.

Nope. I sat in a new Avalon XLE(?) it did smell of such, so does a good friend's 2005 Lexus ES330. I even notice the smell in the Vibes & Canyons

[ElmerMCR]

I decided to give the guys at IGN another try by reading this review. Terrible. They really need to stick to the games.

I still just cannot get used to the Avalon's interior. It seems almost too contemporary.

[gmsickofan]

To be honest, we really weren't looking forward to reviewing this car, as we couldn't shake the image of the Avalon being an "old person's car" from our minds. After all, we've been driving Evos and NISMO cars, so the Avalon would surely be a huge step down, right?

That line is so classic. But being shills for Toyohondanismo, they absolutely MUST review EVERY SINGLE Toyota car and truck in the lineup, and ignore and not review any Domestics. I posted it for the chuckle value.