2013 Toyota Avalon Total Car Score Analysis

The 2013 Toyota Avalon earns an above average Total Car Score for the Large Sedans & Wagons segment.  
 
As redesigns go, the changes made to the new Avalon are about as thorough as they get. The car has been completely restyled, its overall dimensions have been trimmed down without sacrificing its interior spaciousness, suspension tuning and increased body rigidity have improved its road manners, and it’s now available with a choice of conventional gasoline or hybrid powertrains (the Avalon Hybrid is reviewed elsewhere).  
 
To help attract younger buyers -- or at least those interested in a more entertaining driving experience -- the new Avalon has a selectable drive system with three modes that run from fuel miserly to sporty, that last mode changing the throttle response and weight of the power steering to improve the Avalon’s fun-to-drive factor. Paddle shifters (available in the car’s higher trim levels) will do the same.  
 
It remains to be seen whether the completely redesigned 2013 Toyota Avalon will lure younger buyers from the even sportier offerings in the segment, but it certainly looks to be a worthy competitor.

2013 Toyota Avalon Model Line-Up

The 2013 Toyota Avalon is a four-door five-passenger sedan available with either a conventional gasoline engine or a gas/electric hybrid powertrain in the Avalon Hybrid (reviewed separately).  
 
The gas-powered Avalon is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission (fitted with paddle shifters in Touring and Limited models) routes power to the front wheels.  
 
Even in its standard form, the Avalon is equipped with high-end cabin materials, leather upholstery, a rear-view camera and a display audio system that uses a 6.1-inch touch screen as a controller and incorporates a USB port and auxiliary terminal input.  
 
Optional features available on the Avalon include heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a three-zone air conditioning system controlled by touch-sensitive buttons, a hard-drive-based navigation system, JBL premium audio system and dynamic radar cruise control.  
 
The EPA has not yet rated the 2013 Toyota Avalon’s fuel economy, but Toyota expects the car to achieve 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined.

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