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The Toyota Avalon is a full-size car produced by Toyota in the United States. It was also produced in Australia, up until July 2005, and was later replaced in November 2006 by the Toyota Aurion. It is produced as a front-wheel drive four-door sedan. The first Toyota Avalon rolled off the assembly line in Georgetown, Kentucky on February 21, 1994 as a 1995 model. A second generation model was released in the United States and Japan in 1999.

The Avalon filled the gap left by the cancellation of the Toyota Cressida in the American market in 1992. The new Avalon was a large car, whereas the Cressida was an upper-level mid-size, was rear-wheel drive, and had an straight-6 engine. The Avalon however, was front-wheel drive and had a V6 engine.

[edit] First generation (1995-1999)

The 1995 Avalon was a completely new model built in the same plant as the Camry. It was positioned higher than the Camry, making it Toyota's flagship. The Avalon was based on a stretched Camry platform and had a 3.0 litre V6 engine making 192 hp (140 kW) and Template:Auto ft·lbf of torque. For 1997, the Avalon's power rating increased to 200 hp (150 kW), and torque increased to Template:Auto ft·lbf. Toyota made minor updates to the front and rear fascias in 1998.

The Avalon was available with a front bench seat for full six passenger seating, and its column shifter was the first such feature in an American Toyota car since the 1982 Corona. Side airbags, and seatbelt pre-tensioners were optional, as was traction control.

[edit] Australia (2000–2005)

In 1999, Toyota sold the old tooling for the Avalon to Toyota Australia, which launched this Avalon as an "all-new" model in June 2000. The Australian Avalon therefore had an identical body to the original 1995 Avalon.^[1] The Avalon performed poorly in Australia; critics called the car "boring" and sales were tepid. It did not help that the car was front-wheel drive, and available only as a sedan with a 3.0 litre V6 and automatic transmission. By contrast its intended rivals, the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon offered a wider range of bodystyles and engine/transmission options.^[2]

The Australian model was built in the Melbourne suburb of Altona, made in both right-hand drive for Australia, New Zealand and some parts of Asia, and left-hand drive for the Middle East. The Camry was also made at this same plant.^[3]

Buyers preferred the V6-powered Camry instead. The 2004 facelift failed to lift sales,^[4] with many criticising the new front styling as 'hideous' and 'Falcon AU-ish'. Toyota Australia marketed it towards taxi fleets, against the Ford Falcon with a specially developed dual-fuel (LPG and petrol) engine.^[5] Eventually the Avalon was laid to rest in mid-2005.^[6] In November 2006, Toyota introduced it's replacement for the Avalon, the Toyota Aurion.^[7]

[edit] Second generation (2000-2004)

The second generation Avalon grew larger in almost every respect. The Avalon was still based on the stretched Camry platform and had a 3.0 litre V6 shared with the Toyota Sienna, Lexus RX300, Lexus ES and the Toyota Highlander, making 210 hp (157 kW) and Template:Auto ft·lbf. of torque. However, its size was similar to the Camry.

This Avalon was available in two trims: the basic XL and the upscale XLS. The Avalon received a minor facelift for the 2003 model year, with a new grille and modified headlights and taillights.

This second generation Avalon also featured a built-in 115V AC power inverter, the first car with such a feature. This feature was dropped in the third generation Avalon, yet the Toyota Matrix and Scion models now offer this feature.

This second generation Avalon was exported to the Japanese market where it was labeled as the Toyota Pronard. Due to poor sales, Toyota will not export the third generation Avalon to Japan and thus, the Toyota Pronard has been discontinued.

[edit] Third generation (2005-present)

The 2005 Avalon was a complete redesign from the previous generations. It is Toyota's largest, most luxurious, and most expensive sedan model sold under the Toyota name (not Lexus). The Avalon features a 3.5 L 268 hp (200 kW) V6 engine and a myriad of advanced technological features. The 3.5 litre engine is shared with many other Toyota models including the Lexus ES 350, Lexus RX 350, Toyota Camry, and Toyota RAV4. The new Avalon, introduced to the public at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, offers more distinctive styling than previous generations, which were known for their conservative styling. This redesign also dropped the availability of a front bench seat, a feature once common among large American sedans such as Buicks. The current Avalon is available in XL, Touring, XLS, and Limited trim levels.

Due to changes in the SAE testing procedures, power has dropped to 268 hp (200 kW) and torque has dropped to Template:Auto ft·lbf for the 2006 model year. However, this is due to being rated on 87 octane fuel. When supplied with 91 octane, the engine matches the 272 hp (203 kW), Template:Auto ft·lbf rating of the same engine in the Lexus ES 350. Stability control is optional on all trim levels and a keyless remote start is optional.

Car and Driver, which had called previous Avalons "Japanese Buicks", rated it at the top of a group of large premium sedans in 2005.^[8] For 2008, the Avalon receives a mild mid-cycle refresh. Changes include slightly restyled front and rear fascias, a six-speed automatic transmission (replacing the previous five-speed), upgraded brakes, and an upgraded audio system.^[9]

[edit] Sales

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Toyota Avalon

• Official web site
• Toyota Avalon Specifications
• Used Car Safety Ratings - Toyota Avalon