30 Days Of 2013 Ram 1500: Heading West
Our 30-Day 2013 Ram 1500 has made its way safely to our Little Rock bureau. If you're following our... Read More
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a six-speed automatic transmission that is a paragon of smoothness
this combination of engine and transmission is so buttery smooth that its gears could well be lubricated by cholesterol.
handles competently, though without a hint of sportiness
The wheel turns easily with a light touch; it feels like it's attached to a giant ball bearing that's been lathered in WD-40.
The Avalon feels heavy and tall when thrown into a corner with anything approaching verve
PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
a six-speed automatic transmission that is a paragon of smoothness
Automobile Magazine
this combination of engine and transmission is so buttery smooth that its gears could well be lubricated by cholesterol.
New York Times
handles competently, though without a hint of sportiness
Consumer Guide
The wheel turns easily with a light touch; it feels like it's attached to a giant ball bearing that's been lathered in WD-40.
Cars.com
The Avalon feels heavy and tall when thrown into a corner with anything approaching verve
Autoblog
Toyota isn't setting out to change hearts and minds with the Avalon's handling, but its straight-line performance could lead you to that impression.
All Avalons get power from a 3.5-liter V-6 with 268 horsepower, which shuffles to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. It's the new norm in big family sedans, and the Avalon's a little more like its competition with every passing year--there's a touch of vibration and noise in the current car under full throttle, for example. It can perform very briskly from a stoplight, despite the luxury-liner looks and cushy seats, but the transmissions on past test vehicles have felt a little less than perfectly smooth. A manual shifting mode exists, and we're convinced we were the first ones to try it out on the test car provided.
The Avalon's the rare Toyota with decent on-center steering feel. It's light from that point to any point on the arc, but that's precisely what attentive but unengaged drivers need. The cushy suspension, though, is at odds with any need to quickly change direction, and there's lots of body motion. It's free of harshness, and beyond creamy—though the front end bobs up and down in a way that most new cars don't.Conclusion
The Avalon accelerates briskly, but wallows through corners.
