2011 Toyota Avalon at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show

• Competes with: Ford Taurus, Dodge Charger, Buick Lucerne
• Looks like: The Avalon’s elegant, if anonymous, styling is gone; now it’s an oversized Camry
• Drivetrain: 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 with six-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Spring

Recalls aside, Toyota still appears to be bullish on the product front. Its latest effort is the restyled 2011 Avalon, whose nose adopts new bumpers and the Camry’s thinner headlights. Interestingly, the Avalon doesn’t take on the indented grille that Toyota has integrated across a few other models, like the Venza. The full-size sedan goes on sale this spring, and, like all other 2011 Toyotas, it will include a brake override system to mitigate unintended acceleration.
 
Toyota says the Avalon’s headlights, side mirrors and taillights are new. The interior has been restyled as well, with new gauges, an upgraded stereo with standard USB/iPod compatibility and an improved navigation system. Two trim levels — the base Avalon grade and uplevel Limited — replace last year’s XL, XLS and Limited. The sport-tuned Avalon Touring, which Toyota eliminated after 2008, will not make a comeback. (Given that Toyota had the gumption to build a sport-tuned minivan, we wonder why not.)
 
Even the base Avalon looks to be well-equipped, with standard leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, backup camera, moonroof and an eight-way power driver’s seat. Limited models add heated and cooled front seats, a JBL stereo and an eight-way power passenger seat.
 
The Avalon’s 3.5-liter V-6 and six-speed automatic transmission remain the same, but mileage is up 1 mpg to an EPA-estimated 20/29 mpg city/highway. Among large cars, that’s impressive. The 2010 Avalon was rated at 19/28 mpg.

Updated photos are posted below.

Comments

Horrible looking. This car has been out since 2004 or 2005 with only minor changes.

This is the best car is in it's class by a country mile. There's no need to mess with excellence.

What change(s) did they make to tweak the gas mileage?

Slight correction: your 2010 Avalon photo is actually the 2005-2007 model. 2008 models saw their own slight bumper/grille redesign:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/2008_Toyota_Avalon_XLS.jpg/800px-2008_Toyota_Avalon_XLS.jpg

Brady,
Toyota lists it on their site as a 2008-2010

Their media website must just be out of date. See their photo gallery for consumers:

http://www.toyota.com/avalon/photo-gallery.html

franklin:

This car has one leading quality- mileage. Thats about it. Its still odd looking and still has a small trunk for a full sized car. I hope they improved the interior by a huge margin because it was terribly outdated.

That looks like one comfortable cruiser! I didn't know Toyota made such a large car and 29mpg to boot. I'll take mine in gray.

Great update on one of the best looking sedans on the road. Really looks sharp with the new mirrors and grille.

Best looking? looks are subjective but the current car is rarely considered one of the best designs on the road. The interior is MUCH better that before. Too bad it still has DVD nav and temperature readout info that is designed for someone who is nearly bling. This will please current Avalon owners trying to trade in for a new model. I would assume this means no full redesign is coming for at least 3 more years.

It looks a lot better. Toyota, however, is mixing themselves up with Lexus design cues, and the line between both companies' is even more blurred; especially at the rear end

That's it???????? The company recommitting itself to putting excitement back into its product line yields..this????? I mean I know it's supposed to be a land yacht, but.....man, that is disappointing.

Segfault, Improved highway mileage: improved aerodynamics, reduced rolling resistance tires(maybe), higher tested tire pressure(maybe), 0w-20 oil (may have been a rolling change)

Who is to say that the previous mileage wasn't 28.25 and now it is 28.75?

Imports are on a roll in the Chicago Auto Show with boring cars. Toyota's are so boring looking, and this new Avalon is no exception. For a large car with personality, go with the Ford Taurus!

Solid. But they could have done better with the rear lights, they look like from the 90s.
Other than that good car

tscurt, the Avalon has never been about excitment. It's is a large comfy cruiser aimed at buyers who would rather drive a Crown Vic than a Fusion.

As far as looking for excitment in other models, they aren't going to happen overnight. Toyota like every other carmaker out there will let the current ones run their course first.

Uh ... in lieu of recent circumstances, you may wish to change that category from "Hits Dealerships" to "Arrives in Dealerships".

Some people claim that Toyota makes boring cars yet Toyota with those very same boring cars destroyed General Motors on their own home turf. In the end selling millions of boring cars turned out to be brilliant.

timmy:

GM sells more vehicles than Toyota in the US. Is that what you meant by "destroyed"? Toyota has been able to do well with boring cars because they convinced people the reliability was worth it. Now we know Toyotas arent as perfect as we've been led to believe and the competition isn't as far behind in reliability as Toyota would have you believe. Its time for them to come up with more than reliability as a reason to buy one of their cars.

At one point GM had a 3m car sales advantage on Toyota and now they have been passed: 8.9m to 8.3m. GM has lost market share every year since the 80's. GM has gone from owning 54% of the market in the 1960's to now just 18%. I'll say it again as I know you are not well educated, "Toyota has destroyed GM". How's Saturn doing these days? LOL

The new 2011 Avalon of Toyota is looking awesome. Its interior part is the modified version of the 2010 version which makes the design attractive and comfort for driving. This design of Toyota is going to rock in road.

Oh what an interior great work done by the designer.That steering sees cute.

I agree with another poster why buy this over a grand marque. The interior reminds me of one, just done in an asian influence. I think the best milleage is nice but not sure if large car buyers care. I feel like this is a line filler for them. They might have to discount them since they no longer have the reliablity glow. Many choices out there for large cars.

Great Interior Design ! The new model of 2011 Avalon of Toyota is fabulous. How much the cost of it on the road ? I wish I will buy it one day. There must be lot of fans of this car.

I just liked the interior design of the car, it makes the car looking more beautiful from inner side.

I love my 2010 Avalon.
My 2000 Avalon died 2 mo. ago with 270,000.
Only repairs were 100,000& 200,000 mi timing belts, one $500 electronic sensor?
oil chnge,brakes. My new one gets better gas milage
I hope this one makes it to 300,000.
Phil