For 2013, the new Toyota Avalon has aimed itself at becoming the world’s best front-drive Lexus. The Avalon is an all-out comfort-mobile with rich interior textures and an expressive exterior design. Toyota is trying to replace the oldest Avalon buyers with new, sub-Boomer-aged suburbanites.
“What’s this? Paddle shifters and a sport mode? Clearly this thing isn’t being aimed at oldsters anymore,” technical director Frank Markus said. The audio system dates Motor Trend’s Car of the Year soundtrack CD mix — like the Tesla Model S, there’s no compact disc slot. And interior designers managed to place the front center armrest on the same plane as the front door armrests, one of many surprise-and-delight features.
“The Limited trim level’s interior is a genuinely special place,” guest judge Jim Hall wrote. “The car is comfortable, has great ride and handling, and is appropriately quiet.”
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that the big car’s chassis won’t embarrass Gen-X buyers. “Sliced through Cameron Road at higher speeds than in the midsize sedans. Steering is light and precise,” guest judge Chris Theodore said.
As for the Hybrid version, even with its compact-car fuel efficiency, guest judge Jim Hall concluded, “The 3.5-liter V-6 and six-speed auto just worked too well to consider the gas-electric I-4.”
-Courtest of Motor Trend
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