2010 Toyota Avalon

2010 Toyota Avalon

The 2010 Toyota Avalon sees no major changes. This large car is a front-wheel-drive, five-passenger sedan offered in XL, XLS, and top-line Limited trims. It has a 268-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Exclusive to Limited are keyless entry/engine start and heated and ventilated front seats. All models have rear seatbacks with adjustable recline. A navigation system is available for XLS and Limited.

The 2010 Toyota Avalon ranks 1 out of 7 Affordable Large Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 57 published reviews and test drives of the Toyota Avalon, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Toyota Avalon is part of the massive Toyota recall. For more information on the Toyota recall, including how it affects our rankings, please see our Toyota Recall page.

The Toyota Avalon offers a combination of low long-term cost of ownership and a reasonable purchase price.  The car comes into 2010 unchanged.  It's far from the most exciting car in the class, but it boasts a smooth ride, an interior that wouldn't be out of place in a luxury car, and bulletproof reliability.

Shoppers looking for a full-size sedan face more choices this year, with a new Ford Taurus earning a lot of positive press.  But the best value of the group may still be the Toyota Avalon.  Inside its spacious cabin, the Avalon can feel like a luxury car. Its upscale interior and quiet, well-cushioned ride wouldn't be out of place in the Lexus lineup. 

Its driving dynamics, however, would.  Rivals like the Chrysler 300 offer powerful V8s.  The new Taurus is available with a powerful twin-turbo V6 that replicates the power of a V8 with better fuel efficiency.  The Avalon, however, comes only with a simple V6.  It's reliable, and gives the Toyota enough power to pass at highway speed, but it doesn't give the same confident acceleration as some of its competitors.

The Avalon's up-front purchase price is also higher than some similar cars, but large car prices have been rising quickly in recent years, and its price tag no longer stands out much.  The Avalon offers a lot for the money -- and is more reliable and fuel-efficient than many competitors, allowing buyers to recoup some of that cost.  

If it's the Avalon's near-luxury interior that you're interested in, we'd suggest that you also test drive to Hyundai Genesis.  That car similarly offers an interior that wouldn't be out of place in a Lexus, and a price under $40,000.  But, with rear wheel drive and an available V8, it outperforms the Avalon.  It may also be worth your while to test drive some of the larger cars from the upscale midsize car class.  Both the Acura TL and Audi A4, for instance, are nearly full-size sedans that offer more luxury and better driving dynamics for a price not far from what you'd pay for an Avalon. But the Avalon sits atop our large car list -- there may not be a better fit for your needs.

The Avalon carries into 2010 unchanged from the 2009 model year - so if you find both 2009 and 2010 models on your local dealer's lot, consider negotiating on the 2009 car.  It's no different from the 2010, but you might be able to get a better deal on it.

The Avalon comes in three trim levels -- XL, XLS and Limited. Several formerly optional pieces of safety tech are now standard on all Avalons - including active front headrest, brake assist, traction control and stability control. 

Shoppers might want to note that the Avalon is included in a pair of massive and highly-publicized recalls.  The first is due to a floormat design that can trap the vehicle's accelerator pedal, causing unintended acceleration.  Toyota safety personnel have informed us that customers can currently purchase a 2010 Avalon with floormats.  The car will be delivered with the driver's side floormat attached to the track of the driver's seat with zip ties.  Customers are asked not to remove the ties.  Toyota will contact buyers with a recall notice when a permanent fix is available.

Source:-carslegend.blogspot.com