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2008 Toyota Avalon Performance Review

October 30, 2008

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

velvety ride quality
Car and Driver

no great surprises
Road & Track

among the quickest big sedans in this price range
Edmunds

perilously nose-heavy
Motor Trend

Soft suspensions and a slick drivetrain make the 2008 Toyota Avalon brisk in a straight line, if a bit ponderous around corners.

“The current Avalon is among the quickest big sedans in this price range, thanks to a very potent 3.5-liter V6,” claims Edmunds. The sole powerplant in the Avalon, the dual VVTi engine cranks out an enthusiastic 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. Motor Trend finds it carries the “Avalon to the 60 mark in a purposeful 6.2 seconds,” and that's with the older five-speed automatic transmission, which has been replaced with a six-speed for ’08. With more ratios available to the tractable V-6, acceleration should be even quicker this year.

The Avalon’s fuel economy ratings are among the highest in its class of large sedans, at 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway.

Car and Driver finds “the Avalon's independent suspension provides a tauter, sportier ride-and-handling compromise than its forebear” and notes its “velvety ride quality.” But apparently that’s not saying much, as nearly every other reviewer criticizes its handling, including ConsumerGuide: “Poised enough for a big family sedan,” they begin, but are quick to add, “Some testers want more steering feel and weight.” They also note “body lean is pronounced as cornering speeds increase.” “The Avalon's steering is overboosted,” criticizes Automobile, “and early terminal understeer rewards any enthusiastic input.” Truly, it would seem, the Buick of Toyotas, and indeed, Edmunds considers it’s “at its best on the open highway.”

Motor Trend praises the Avalon’s stability control system, calling it “a particularly cushy catcher's mitt, grabbing wayward chassis gyrations without a stinging rebuke back to the driver.” Edmunds likes its “tidy turning circle” that “makes the Avalon feel unexpectedly nimble on tight city streets.” And ConsumerGuide remarks the “strong brakes are easy to modulate, but simulated panic stops induced marked nosedive.”

Conclusion

The 2008 Toyota Avalon’s performance is faultless--provided athletic driving is not part of your repertoire.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:velvety ride qualityCar and Driverno great surprisesRoad & Trackamong the quickest big sedans in this price rangeEdmundsperilously nose-heavyMotor Trend Soft suspensions and a slick drivetrain make the 2008 Toyota Avalon brisk in a straight line, if a bit ponderous around corners. “The current Avalon is among the quickest big sedans in this price range, thanks to a very potent 3.5-liter V6,” claims Edmunds. The sole powerplant in the Avalon, the dual VVTi engine cranks out an enthusiastic 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. Motor Trend finds it carries the “Avalon to the 60 mark in a purposeful 6.2 seconds,” and that's with the older five-speed automatic transmission, which has been replaced with a six-speed for ’08. With more ratios available to the tractable V-6, acceleration should be even quicker this year. The Avalon’s fuel economy ratings are among the highest in its class of large sedans, at 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway. Car and Driver finds “the Avalon's independent suspension provides a tauter, sportier ride-and-handling compromise than its forebear” and notes its “velvety ride quality.” But apparently that’s not saying much, as nearly every other reviewer criticizes its handling, including ConsumerGuide: “Poised enough for a big family sedan,” they begin, but are quick to add, “Some testers want more steering feel and weight.” They also note “body lean is pronounced as cornering speeds increase.” “The Avalon's steering is overboosted,” criticizes Automobile, “and early terminal understeer rewards any enthusiastic input.” Truly, it would seem, the Buick of Toyotas, and indeed, Edmunds considers it’s “at its best on the open highway.” Motor Trend praises the Avalon’s stability control system, calling it “a particularly cushy catcher's mitt, grabbing wayward chassis gyrations without a stinging rebuke back to the driver.” Edmunds likes its “tidy turning circle” that “makes the Avalon feel unexpectedly nimble on tight city streets.” And ConsumerGuide remarks the “strong brakes are easy to modulate, but simulated panic stops induced marked nosedive.” ConclusionThe 2008 Toyota Avalon’s performance is faultless--provided athletic driving is not part of your repertoire. 2008 TOYOTA AVALON STYLING | [7 out of 10] Car and Driver: “Toyota’s Buick” Road & Track: “more stylish suit of clothes than in the past” Edmunds: “attractive and ergonomic control layout” Motor Trend: “sculptural boldness” The 2008 Toyota Avalon is crisp and conservative on ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The top rivals to the 2008 Toyota Avalon include the Lucerne, Taurus, and Azera, which are also large, primarily front-wheel-drive sedans that favor ride comfort over tight handling response. Each of them also has decent straight-line acceleration. The Taurus, which was recently called the Five Hundred, has a very nicely appointed interior and an especially spacious backseat, and its 3.5-liter V-6 and six-speed automatic are very responsive. The Lucerne V-6 and the Azera both have 3.8-liter V-6 engines and aren’t as responsive as the Taurus, but the Lucerne is also available in Super trim, which adds a 292-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8. Next to either of these rivals, the Avalon is quieter and more refined inside. Another alternative is the Chrysler 300, which comes in an economical rear-wheel-drive base model or with all-wheel drive in upscale Touring trim. The 300 also has a powerful HEMI V-8 available. But the 300 might not be as appealing to the crowd that favors ride comfort and space above all else; it’s less roomy inside and not nearly as refined and quiet.

Next Steps:

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See the Toyota Avalon in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (2 total)

  1. By  jerry #2, Posted: 11/3/2008

    Who can tell me the price about AudiQ5

    i want to buy Autocar
    I am interested in AudiQ5 and will like to get a price qoute for it. You can as well call me if there is any thing you want me to know,send me an email,thanks.
    here is AudiQ5 phone

  2. By Bill #4, Posted: 1/25/2009

    Center Display

    When "may be icy" flashes on the center display, is there any type of a audio alert as well?

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