
The Avalon takes on a relatively long list of cars, but its most direct rivals are the Buick LaCrosse and Hyundai Azera.
The Hyundai Azera may be its closest rival; feels very refined, has an attractive design, and rides well, but it's surprisingly tight on headroom in the back seat and it's only offered with a non-hybrid V-6.
The Kia Cadenza is mechanically identical to the Azera, but it's a bit more appealing, we think, due to its trim and materials choices; its ride and handling are also a notch better.
The LaCrosse comes with a standard eAssist mild-hybrid powertrain, and it's very comfortable and quiet like the Avalon, but its EPA ratings don't come anywhere close to those of the Avalon Hybrid.
The Ford Taurus may look like a solid rival on the outside, but its interior is a packaging disaster, somehow feeling more like a compact sedan inside; in terms of features and performance the Taurus is a contender, though, and nobody else in this class offers something quite like the MyFord Touch infotainment system.
The Chrysler 300 is primarily rear-wheel drive, and its back seat isn't as spacious as most of these other models; yet its rather ornate, upright interior stands out in the crowd, and it's one of the best performers in this class—even if you don't get the V-8.
The LaCrosse, Taurus, 300, and S80 are all offered with available all-wheel drive, whereas the Avalon isn't.
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Quick Specs | |||||
The 2014 Toyota Avalon is far more youthful than it used to be, with a more responsive, sophisticated personality, an excellent interior, and a 40-mpg Hybrid version -- plus of course top-notch comfort all around. |
Great on gas or long on comfort and refinement--the Buick LaCrosse can be either, though we'd steer you toward the premium editions. |
The Chrysler 300 is loaded with comfort and technology features, and it comes as either a near-luxury sedan, or an monstrously powerful muscle car. |
The 2014 Ford Taurus continues in its role of luxury and technology flagship for the Ford brand, but it remains compromised by its lack of rear-seat headroom and legroom |
The 2014 Hyundai Azera is a big, comfortable sedan that offers serious design appeal and a luxury-car ambiance. |
The 2014 Kia Cadenza is no sport sedan, but it's a screaming deal of a luxury car in nearly everything but the badge. |
MSRP From | |||||
$31,590 | $33,535 | $31,395 | $26,780 | $31,000 | $35,100 |
Gas Mileage | |||||
21 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy | 14 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||||
Regular Unleaded V-6 | Gas/Electric I4 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Regular Unleaded V-6 |
EPA Class | |||||
Mid-Size Cars | Midsize Cars | Large Cars | Large Cars | Large Cars | Large Cars |
Style Name | |||||
4-Door Sedan XLE (GS) | 4-Door Sedan Base FWD | 4-Door Sedan RWD | 4-Door Sedan SE FWD | 4-Door Sedan | 4-Door Sedan Premium |
Drivetrain | |||||
Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||||
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Passenger Doors | |||||
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||||
Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan |
Transmission | |||||
Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
2014 Toyota Avalon vs. 2014 Buick Lacrosse | 2014 Toyota Avalon vs. 2014 Chrysler 300 | 2014 Toyota Avalon vs. 2014 Ford Taurus | 2014 Toyota Avalon vs. 2014 Hyundai Azera | 2014 Toyota Avalon vs. 2014 Kia Cadenza |