Toyota Avalon History

Toyota Avalon History

Toyota Avalon History

Introduction

The Toyota Avalon is the flagship Toyota sedan of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Middle East. The Avalon has always been a solid performer with its V6 engine, roomy interior, and reputation for reliability.

The first generation of Avalons was criticized for its plain looks, but over the years Toyota has refined the Avalon, redesigning it multiple times to get it to the upscale model we see today. The Avalon continues to be a top choice among consumers looking for a large sedan.

Early History

The Avalon was introduced for the first time in 1994 as a 1995 model year. The Avalon was built in the same factory as the Camry and was designed from the Camry platform featuring a 3-liter V6 engine that could produce 192 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque.

Remember the sweet front bench seat, allowing for six total passengers? Yep, the first generation Avalon had it, along with its column shifter, which was the first such feature in a Toyota car since the 1982 Corona.

Recent History

The completely redesigned fourth-generation Avalon was reveled at the New York International Auto Show in April 2012 as a 2013 model year. It is now based on the same platform as the Lexus ES. It is designed with a bolder grille, redesigned lights similar to the Camry, and interior touch technology.

In 2012, Toyota announced the addition of a hybrid Avalon for the 2013 model year.

Toyota Avalon Reception

The Toyota Avalon has achieved high rankings among many well-known publications. Edumnds.com, Motor Trend, and Automobile Magazine rated it top among competitors, and Consumer Reports rated it at the top of its tested group in January 2010. Its attractive and practical design, consistent safety ratings, and reliability make the Avalon one of the top choices for a large sedan.

2014 Toyota Avalon Overview