On paper, the 2015 Toyota Avalon is just another front wheel drive full size sedan that gets you and your passengers from A to B. We expected comfortable seats, a large trunk, climate control, and leather interior– but got more than we bargained for. The Toyota Avalon blurs the line separating a sedan from a luxury sedan, at the price of the latter.
After a pleasant chat with the Leith Toyota receptionist, our salesman handed over the keys and cut us loose. We found our Magnetic Grey Metallic Avalon in the dealership parking lot, and took our time surveying its exterior. The Avalon carriers a sophisticated appearance, with long lines down its metal body that sits low on the tires, giving it a sleek profile. We unlocked the Avalon and planted ourselves onto the black leather seats.
As we shut the car doors, the road-noise from vehicles on Capital Boulevard practically vanished. We could barely hear the faint swoosh of cars passing by. This tranquility allowed us to fully devote our senses to the interior, which was enchanting. The dark wooden veneer trim around the touch-sensitive climate/radio controls and black leather trim collide to form a progressive style. We should mention more on the leather, though – it’s everywhere. Leather seats, leather trim, leather arm rest, leather steering wheel, leather shift knob… You get the picture.
After tinkering with the radio controls a bit longer, we were ready to hit the road. We paired our phones to the Entune™ Bluetooth, put our foot on the brake, and hit the push to start engine button. The 268 horsepower V6 fired right up, sending a low hum through the cabin. We put the Avalon in reverse and used the backup camera to safely maneuver out of our parking space.
We prefer to take our test drives somewhere that will help us get into sync with the car itself. For instance, we’d like to take a forerunner mudding, or camping, and a Prius on a road trip or to Wholefoods. We weren’t sure where to take The Avalon at first, but once behind the wheel it only seemed to crave one thing: The open road. We resisted the urge to activate sport mode and punch the V6, although temptations were high.
OK, so we performed a quick 0-60 just to make sure the engine was working properly. We may have also engaged sport mode and disabled the traction control for just a few turns. It’s just that these options are so accessible. In our defense, we needed to make sure it all functioned correctly, for science (it does). In an effort to avoid incriminating ourselves any further, we’ll stop here. Just know that the car is fast and it handles great.
Somewhere along our test drive it became very clear that the Avalon is not your average family sedan. Usually it takes a moment to get acquainted with a car’s handling, braking, and throttle response. With the Avalon, this never even crossed our mind. The Avalon is very secure on the road, devoid of any quirky hang-ups found in some of our test drives.
The Avalon is very well rounded. It’s not just a car for speed and fun – it has an Eco Mode. In Eco mode, the car reduces throttle response and alters the climate control settings to conserve energy and boost the MPG. Our Avalon XLE is EPA-Rated for 31 MPG highway and 21 MPG city, which is impressive for the 3.5L V6. Toyota also offers a Hybrid Avalon that has an EPA-estimated 40 mpg combined.
The Avalon is outfitted with all kinds of safety bells and whistles. It comes with a blind spot monitor that senses when cars are passing your blind zone and illuminates a warning light on your side view mirror. This works well when you’re changing lanes because you’ll see the light as you’re looking in your side view mirror. The Avalon also offers dynamic cruise control that can adjust speed relative to a car you’re following, an optional pre-collision system, ten airbags, and the backup camera we mentioned above. There’s more, so be sure to check them out. Riding in the Avalon is great fun, but it also feels safe.
When the time came to part ways with our Avalon, it was bitter sweet. On one hand, we had an awesome test drive, on the other, we’re not actually here to buy the car. Either way, the Avalon was one of our favorite test drives thus far. It’s a car well equipped to take you from A to B that doesn’t neglect the road in between; a car you can use to take the kids to soccer practice, and a car you can chauffeur your boss’s boss to lunch in. The Avalon has intensity and reliability – a balance hard to find in any car.
We recommend that you come test drive an Avalon for yourself. We know you’re going to love it if you get behind the wheel, and while we could keep telling you about it, nothing beats an experience. Come by Leith Toyota today and take a ride in a brand new 2015 Toyota Avalon.
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