Redone Avalon is shorter, sleeker, stiffer
New hybrid version will get 40 mpg
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NAPA, Calif. -- The moribund full-sized sedan segment gets a shot in the arm with the arrival of the redesigned 2013 Toyota Avalon in early December.
The new version of the U.S.-built Avalon has a sleeker silhouette and a more dynamic front fascia than its staid forerunner, as well as a hybrid version that gets 40 mpg.
The basics: While the Avalon's wheelbase remains the same, the length has been shaved by more than two inches.
The direct-injection 3.5-liter V-6 and six-speed automatic transmission are carryovers, although added paddle shifters trigger engine rpm blips on downshifts. By shedding 120 pounds, the Avalon has a speedy 6.7-second 0 to 60 time.
In sport mode, the throttle opening, gearshifts and steering response are more immediate. In eco mode, the throttle opening is restricted and air conditioning is dialed back.
The hybrid model uses the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine as the Camry Hybrid, but gets slightly less fuel economy at 40 city/39 highway mpg. The hybrid can go 680 miles on a tank of gasoline and travel at up to 25 mph in EV mode.
Notable features: Avalon chief engineer Randy Stephens is a suspension engineer by trade, and his car shows it. The old Avalon wallowed like an overloaded swordfish boat in a typhoon.
The redesigned version has stiffer front lower-arm bushings, a stiffer rear stabilizer bar and added rebound springs, resulting in a firmer drive without translating too much road jounce to the driver.
A partition bracket behind the rear seats helps make the chassis stiffer, but also means the rear seats no longer fold forward.
Similar to the Cadillac Cue system, the touch pad on the Avalon's center console uses "capacitive" sensors to detect a user's touch and interpret the finger swipes. But while the Cadillac's can be unresponsive, the Avalon's factory settings seemed overly sensitive.
The trunk gains a small amount of space and has a lower lift-over height. Standard features include SmartKey; acoustic windshield and front window glass; a 140-watt stereo with CD, USB, Bluetooth and Pandora; heated leather seats; cruise control; 10 airbags; and 17-inch wheels.
What Toyota says: "It was time to alter the present course and revitalize Avalon's rather conservative image to something more vibrant and youthful," said Kevin Hunter, president of Toyota's Calty design studio in California. "Compared to our competitors that have a rather tall, flat and bulky presence, we wanted Avalon to be lean, low and sculptural."
Compromises and shortcomings: To drop the base price by $2,205, Toyota deleted some standard features, such as a sunroof that many owners said they didn't need.
The old three-across rear bench seat has been replaced with seats that are better bolstered, making the middle seat suitable only for children.
The reclining rear seat was discontinued to make room for side airbags. Front headroom is a bit tight for a 6-footer when the sunroof option is included.
The base and midgrade telematics screen is too small and its maps are unreadable; the user interface is balky and unintuitive.
The market: Toyota expects annual sales to more than double from its current level to about 70,000, with an 80-20 sales split between the V-6 and hybrid models. Toyota hopes to increase the proportion of leases from 5 percent up to 25 percent of sales.
The current Avalon has a median customer age of 67, the oldest in the segment.
But after the new version was unveiled a few months ago, Toyota heard from more than 100,000 hand-raisers, with a median age in the low 50s.
The skinny: With more modern styling and scads of technology, the new Avalon may succeed in finding a wider -- and younger -- universe of buyers.
| 2013 Toyota Avalon | 2013 Hyundai Azera | |
| Wheelbase | 111.0 in. | 112.0 in. |
| Length | 195.2 in. | 193.3 in. |
| Width | 72.2 in. | 73.2 in. |
| Height | 57.5 in. | 57.9 in. |
| Base engine | 3.5-liter V-6 | 3.3-liter V-6 |
| Horsepower | 268 @ 6,200 rpm | 293 @ 6,400 rpm |
| Torque, lbs.-ft. | 248 @ 4,700 rpm | 255 @ 5,200 rpm |
| EPA mpg | 21 city/31 hwy. | 20 city/30 hwy. |
| Curb weight | 3,461 lbs. | 3,605 lbs. |
| Base price* | $31,785 | $33,125 |
| *Includes shipping | ||
You can reach Mark Rechtin at mrechtin@crain.com. -- Follow Mark on 
