2016 Toyota Avalon

Back in the 2013 model year, Toyota fully redesigned the Avalon, giving it a sleeker, sexier, and more luxurious look. Along with this redesign, Toyota made the Avalon’s body slightly shorter and wider, improving its stance and giving passengers more shoulder and hip room. Despite being the third-best-selling full-size sedan in 2014, Toyota unveiled a refreshed version for the 2016 model year at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show.

With the Chicago Auto Show’s opening in the books, we now get to see what the refreshed Avalon looks like. I honestly expected a little more from Toyota, but considering its place in the sales list and the fact that it has no hopes of catching up to the Impala, which more than doubled the Avalon in 2014 sales, I can’t say I’m surprised the refresh was so minor.

Updated 02/13/2015: We’ve added a series of images taken during the 2016 Avalon’s official debut at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show. Check the new images in the "Pictures" tab.Exterior


Starting up front, Toyota’s big sedan carries a redesigned lower grille that is wider and lower than the 2015 model

For the 2016 model year, the Avalon features revisions to its front and rear fascias. Starting up front, Toyota Toyota ’s big sedan carries a redesigned lower grille that is wider and lower than the 2015 model, a narrower upper grille, and redesigned turn signals. Essentially, it almost looks as if Toyota took the 2015 model’s grille, flipped it upside down and stretched it, whereas the upper grille looks squashed.

On the rear, the LED taillights have been “refined.” Also added is a chrome accent on the rear bumper.

In addition to the updated fascia, the Touring trim also features a set of 18-inch, dark-grey-painted wheels, LED headlights and LED daytime running lights to accentuate is sporty nature.

On the XLE and XLE Plus trims, Toyota revised the standard 17-inch wheels and added a new tire pressure monitoring system.

While the revisions are very light, the new face seems a little sportier than the 2016 model. I would have liked to have seen a little more, but for a mid-cycle refresh, I can’t complain.

2015 AVALON VS. 2016 AVALON


Interior

 Toyota Avalon Toyota Avalon
 Toyota Avalon
On the XLE and XLE Plus trim levels, Toyota added in a standard 7-inch Entune Audio Plus screen and standard premium woodgrain accents.

On the inside, the Avalon has always been near the top of its class in terms of features, so Toyota didn’t meddle too much and kill its mojo. Across all trim levels, the 2016 Avalon received new light grey interior color with grey accent stitching. How exactly Toyota can call grey on grey an “accent” is beyond me, but it does.

On the XLE and XLE Plus trim levels, Toyota added a standard 7-inch Entune Audio Plus screen and standard premium woodgrain accents.

Otherwise, comparing the images of the 2015 Avalon to the 2016 model show no changes. But like I said, that’s not really a bad thing.

Drivetrain

 Toyota Avalon
Toyota made no mention of the 2016 Avalon’s drivetrain, so I assume it will continue on with the same engine as the 2015 model: the 3.5-liter V-6 that cranks out 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. Sure it’s not powerhouse, but it’s adequate for this sedan.

In 2015, this engine mated to a six-speed, paddle-shift transmission, and my guess is that this will continue into 2016. This transmission and Toyota’s 3.5-liter engine are capable of delivering 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.

On the suspension side of the equation, Toyota has split the XLE-through-Limited trims from the Touring trim, and given the former a more comfortable ride and the latter a more sport-tuned suspension.

DRIVETRAIN SPECIFICATIONS

Engine 3.5-Liter V-6
Output 268 HP at 6,200 RPM
Torque 248 LB-FT at 4,700 RPM
Transmission Six-Speed Automatic W/ Paddle Shifters
Prices

 Toyota Avalon
Given this is just a simple refresh, I don’t expect to see a huge jump in price from the 2015 model’s $32,285 base MSRP. We may see a few hundred bucks for inflation, but not much more.

Competition

CHEVROLET IMPALA

 Chevrolet Impala
The Impala was the sales winner in its class by a long shot, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a better car than the Avalon. At $27,060, the Impala certainly has price in its favor, but in terms of style, it is a little flat.

In its engine compartment sits a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder that wheezes out 196 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The optional engine is a 3.6-liter V-6 that trumps the Avalon at 305 horses and 264 pound-feet of torque. Both engines have their power routed to the front wheels via a six-spee automatic transmission.

In order to meet the level of luxury that the base-level Avalon offers, you would have to bump up to the 1LTZ trim level, which bumps the price of the Impala to $34,465.

Galle
KIA CADENZA

 Kia Cadenza
The Cadenza is still an up-and-comer in the sub-luxury sedan realm, as buyers still seem a little leery of dropping $34,900 on a Kia. Well, I spent a week with one, and it felt like it was worth twice that amount. Badges be damned, it was smooth, quick, agile enough, and very well-equipped.

Under its hood is a 3.3-liter V-6 that delivers 293 horses and 255 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels via a six-speed auto transmission. This is enough oomph to get the big sedan to 60 mph in under seven seconds, putting it in line with the Avalon.

In terms of luxury, I think the Cadenza is one of the best in the segment for its price. It comes standard with a 12-speaker audio system, a rearview camera, leather seating, heated front seats, and much more.

Conclusion

 Toyota Avalon