Used 2012 Toyota Avalon XLE for sale 

The Toyota Avalon is available in two different trims that share a common engine, transmission, and drivetrain setup. The base and Limited trims of the Avalon are distinguished from one another by the set of features they possess. Priced at $33,195 and $36,435 respectively for the former and latter trims, the sedan comes equipped with an extensive list of standard features which includes a sunroof, leather upholstery, and keyless entry.

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While both trims of the Toyota Avalon feature class-leading specifications that contribute immensely to the quality of ride, the Limited trim is our recommendation. At a price difference of a shade above the $3,000 mark, the top-of-the-line trim adds abundantly to the feature load and consequently, it delivers a high price-to-performance ratio.

The engine on duty with the Toyota Avalon is a 3.5L V6 unit that is good for 268hp of power and 248lb.-ft of torque. It gets connected to a standard 6-speed automatic transmission which is equipped with the option of sequential shifts and can be channeled as a front-wheel-drive variant only. While it is revered for its performance, the reliability quotient of Avalon’s engine is also laudable and noteworthy.

The Toyota Avalon can sprint from a still to the 60MPH mark in 6.2 seconds, allowing it to be the fastest in the segment, despite its mammoth dimensions. Even in the quarter-mile run, the Avalon establishes its dominance over its competitors by being the quickest sedan and clocking 14.7 seconds.

Thoughthe differences are minimal, all three competitors of the Avalon take higher time to achieve similar feats. In the acceleration test, the Buick Lacrosse is fractionally slower than the Avalon followed by the Nissan Maxima and Chrysler 300 S clocking 6.3, 6.4, and 6.6 seconds respectively. In the quarter-mile sprint, while the Maxima and Lacrosse manage similar timings, the 300 continues to lurk at the bottom of the table. In the segment, all contemporary cars make use of a V6 engine only. While the transmission setups are distinctive, the Chrysler 300 S is the only sedan that is channeled as an all-wheel-drive variant.

The constancy in the Avalon’s performance also extends to its efficiency. As a result of its economical fuel figures, buyers of the Toyota Avalon have to spend less time standing in queues to get fuel refills. In the city, it manages an average mileage of 19 MPG, which increases to 28 MPG on the highway. 

Combined, the Avalon’s efficiency is rated at 23 miles per gallon of fuel. While its fuel tank of 18.5-gallons may not be the largest in the segment, the Avalon manages to cover a competitive range of 351 and 518 miles in the city and on the highway respectively.

In comparison, the Nissan Maxima remains a notch below the Avalon averaging 22 MPG. The Chrysler 300 S and Buick Lacrosse manage combined efficiency of 21 MPG. While the Maxima also features the largest fuel tank in the segment of 20-gallons, the Buick Lacrosse sports the least voluminous tank that has a capacity of 18-gallons. In terms of range, barring the Buick Lacrosse, all three sedans cover competitive distances.

The claim of the Toyota Avalon being a luxurious offering is evident in its cabin design and build. While the infotainment system assumes utmost attention by virtue of its usability and its placement in respect to the overall design, the use of wooden accents on the dashboard and central console is a visual retreat. 

The central armrest that sits between the driver and passenger seats, is sturdy in its build and features storage space underneath. The leather-wrapped steering is a plush inclusion and so is the option of a cooled driver seat with Limited trim. The Toyota Avalon can seat five passengers without any difficulty. While the front seats do have ample space, occupants might long for that extra bit of comfort. 

The rear seats are gladdening and make the Avalon an apt choice for a chauffeur-driven vehicle. The ride quality is nimble and agile with the pliancy adding to its refinement. However, with external noise seeping into the cabin, the Avalon might irk some buyers. With the Toyota, the buyer gets at his disposal a trunk volume of 14.4 cubic feet, which feels small for a car in its segment.

In comparison, while the Nissan Maxima does provide maximum space to the front seat occupants, it comes at the cost of the rear seat comfort. All three sedans in the market have a total seating capacity of five passengers. On the other hand, the Chrysler 300 S does sport the largest trunk in the segment which has a total capacity of 16.3 cubic feet. Some standout interior features of the Toyota Avalon include:

• Preferred Accessory Package
• Steering Mounted Controls
• Front and Rear Cupholders
• Dual Zone Front Climate Control
• Leather Upholstery
• 8/4-way Powered Driver/Passenger Seats

How intuitive is the Toyota Avalon’s infotainment system?

The Toyota Avalon’s infotainment is likable, for it is chock-full with practical and necessary features. Even with its base variant, the Avalon features Bluetooth connectivity and USB connection apart from the standard specifications which include AM/FM Stereo and HD radio. 

With the base trim, a nine-speaker sound system is made available at the buyer’s disposal, while with the Limited trim a 12-speaker JBL sound system delivers impeccable performance. Some salient infotainment features in the new Toyota Avalon include:

• Auxiliary Audio Input
• CD Player
• Satellite Radio
• MP3 Player
• Diversity Antenna

The Toyota Avalon, despite a design change in 2011, looks rather old-fangled. But even with its quaint looks, the Avalon is likable and vaunts a beefy road presence. While the front grille is imposing and domineering, the distinctively designed head- and taillights add sublimity and subtleness to the design. The use of chrome embellishments throughout the body of the Avalon looks upmarket and so does a long wheelbase. 

A rear spoiler, rear exhaust tips, and alloy wheels add quirkiness to the rather consistent luxurious design. The Toyota Avalon has a curb weight of 3616 lbs. It is 197.6 inches long and sports a wheelbase of 111 inches. It is 72.8 inches wide and 58.5 inches tall with a clearance from the ground of 5.3 inches.

In comparison, the Chrysler 300 S is the longest and widest car in the segment measuring 198.6 and 75 inches respectively. The 300 alongside the Buick Lacrosse is also the tallest vehicle; however, it sports the lowest ground clearance. Its wheelbase of 120.2 inches is also the longest. In terms of curb weight, the Chrysler 300 S is the heaviest followed by the Buick Lacrosse and Nissan Maxima weighing 4235, 4045, and 3565 lbs respectively. Salient exterior features include:

• Rear spoiler
• HID Headlights (available with Limited Trim)
• Fog Lamps
• Sun/moonroof
• Premium Paint
• Door Edge Guards

The Toyota Avalon scores a rating of ‘Good’ in almost all crash tests conducted by the IIHS, which speaks volumes about its dependability and reliability. The availability of a long list of active and passive safety features coupled with a 4-wheel disc brake system makes the Avalon an ultimate choice. As standard, it comes equipped with features like brake assist, traction control, and electronic stability control. With the Limited trim, a feature of auto-leveling headlights is also made available. Some other safety specifications include:

• Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors
• Emergency Trunk Release
• Child Safety Locks
• Daytime Running Lights
• Tire-Pressure Monitoring System
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

Buying the Toyota Avalon is a no-brainer. Its powerful engine is a delight and its fuel efficiency does not burn a hole in the buyer’s pocket. The Avalon’s fit and finish are its major attraction. While it features a luxurious and up-to-date cabin, a lack of tranquility might annoy some buyers. 

But the Avalon is larger than its flaws, it’s a story of pros overweight the cons. With a sought-after infotainment and safety system, the sedan from the house of Toyota does gain ascendancy over its competitors in every imaginable aspect. Even its old-school design is likable and there is nothing that we see or deem wrong with the Toyota Avalon.