2006 Toyota Avalon: New Look For A Dull Car

Up until the current model year, Toyota's flagship automobile, the Avalon, has won little praise amongst car critics. Sure, the Avalon has always exemplified Toyota quality and reliability but it has failed to impress virtually anyone with its looks. Frankly, the Avalon has been a dull looking car since its inception a decade ago. For 2006 all of that has changed as Toyota finally has permitted company designers to create a car that incorporates an attractive look. Let?s take a look at Toyota's all new full sized beauty.

For the record: the Avalon is a car that competes well in the big car category. As Toyota's first large car to be marketed in the US [not including Lexus] the Avalon has had to go up against some particularly stiff competition. Six passenger cars including the Buick Road master, Ford Crown Victoria, and the Mercury Marquis have been some of its chief competitors?cars each favored by the silvered hair set and long enjoyed for their ride, size, and comfort. For Toyota, the Avalon has copied the trend, but in doing so the automaker has limited sales mostly to senior citizens. Few young people have been interested in the car chiefly because of its looks and what it has represented: an old person?s car.

For 2006, the Avalon has received a welcomed makeover. One look at the Avalon and the word ?Lexus? should flow from your lips. Indeed, Toyota’s luxury car division has produced more interesting and better-received large cars than Toyota. Finally, the lines of the current Avalon borrow heavily from comparably sized Lexus cars setting the Avalon apart from the  midsize Camry which is due to have its facelift in 2007.

Styling cues aside, the Avalon has picked up important interior and under the hood changes too. Gone is the front bench seat as well as the column automatic transmission shifter. Sure, passenger capacity drops from 6 to 5, but the interior size increases slightly to allow for greater room for all passengers. The Avalon also has rid itself of a lethargic 3.0L V6 engine that was paired with a four speed automatic transmission. In its place is a more potent 3.5L V6 mated to a five-speed manumatic transmission. Published reports indicate that the Avalon has shaved nearly two seconds off of its 0 to 60 time in the process. Torque has been recorded at 260 lb-ft at 4700 rpm and horsepower at an impressive 280 bhp at 6200 rpm.

Other changes for the Avalon include option packages, which have been doubled from two to four. Indeed, some of the standard equipment available on similarly equipped Lexus models such as Smart Key [allow the driver to start the car remotely] and JBL stereo has found their way to the Avalon.

With a base price of just under $27K and a maximum price of about $34K the Avalon features Lexus luxury at a Toyota price. With its new looks the Toyota Avalon is certain to be a strong seller and a great alternative to the person wanting Lexus luxury without having to pay the price.