2005 Toyota Avalon Review
Add your own review or comments

By John Stewart

Overview

Toyota Avalon is all-new for 2005, completely redesigned and re-engineered from the ground up.

First introduced as a 1994 model, the Avalon was designed as an alternative to full-size sedans such as the Ford Crown Victoria, Chevy Caprice, and Buick Roadmaster.

Now, 10 years later, the all-new 2005 Avalon has morphed into four models, each with slightly different priorities, to broaden appeal across more diverse age groups and income levels. It has always been aimed at drivers who appreciate quality and comfort, but prefer an understated way to get it.

By far the most American of any Toyota, the 2005 Avalon was designed in Newport Beach, California, engineered by the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and built in Georgetown Kentucky. Toyota gathered extensive consumer and owner body feedback before redesigning it.

This third-generation Avalon is more distinctive than before, with apparent grace and agility. It is significantly larger, with special attention paid to rear-seat passenger comfort. Horsepower has been increased by 33 percent by adding an all-new double overhead-cam V6, which is teamed with a state-of-the-art electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission.

Model Lineup

All Toyota Avalon models come with a 3.5-liter V6 and five-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift.

Safety features that come standard include driver and front-passenger airbags, seat-mounted side-impact airbags for torso protection, side curtain airbags for head protection, and a driver's knee airbag. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) are standard and include Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. Optional safety features for XLS and Limited are Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC).

Avalon XL ($26,350), the most affordable model, comes standard with a premium-level AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo with nine speakers, dual-zone climate control with air filtration, remote keyless entry, power door locks with anti-lockout feature, power windows with driver and passenger auto up/down with pinch protection and retained power, optitron instruments with chrome accents, maintenance indicator light, steering-wheel-mounted audio and climate controls, multi-function information display with audio, climate control, temperature and trip computer. The XL also has cruise control, an engine immobilizer and a tilt and telescoping steering column. The spare tire is full sized, with a matching alloy wheel.

The Touring model ($28,600) adds leather-trimmed seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and aluminum door scuff plates. Touring grade also gets 17-inch alloy wheels with P215/55R17 tires and more aggressive suspension tuning. Headlamps are high-intensity-discharge (HID) lamps.

The XLS ($30,800) builds on the XL standard features, adding a power moonroof, four-way adjustable power passenger seat, in-dash six-disc CD changer, dual heated outside mirrors with auto-dimming electrochromic driver's side, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and Homelink universal transceiver, aluminum door scuff plates and anti-theft system.

The Limited ($33,540) adds to the XLS features a 360-watt JBL Synthesis audio system with six-disc CD changer and 12 speakers (optional on Touring and XLS). Also with Limited are a one-touch auto-reverse power rear sunshade, power driver's seat cushion length adjuster, and Smart Key system. Limited's 17-inch alloy wheels are unique. Other features include HID headlamps, wood and leather trimmed shift knob and steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a driver and passenger seat heater and fan.

Optional on both XLS and Limited are a navigation system and dynamic laser cruise control.