Used 2017 Toyota Avalon XLE Plus for sale 

The new Toyota Avalon is offered in 5 different trims namely the XLE, XLE Plus, XLE Premium, Limited, and Touring. While the base trim is priced at $33,300, the top-of-the-line Limited variant gets a price sticker of $41,100. All 5 trims get a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine as standard mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission that transfers power to the front wheels of the Avalon. The distinction between each trim from the other is the set of features at the user’s disposal and the most viable trim will depend on how many features the buyer wants in his car.

The base trim comes loaded with price-appropriate features which include satellite radio, quadra beam halogens, and daytime running lights. As one moves up the ladder, features like an integrated back-up camera, a JBL sound system, and LED headlights with auto on and off become great value additions.

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Amongst the five variants that are on offer, the XLE trim is the most sought-after purchase option. It ensures features of the highest quality without making a dent in the buyer’s pocket. However, if finance is not a constraint the top-of-the-line Limited trim can be your go-to option.

The engine in-charge of powering the Toyota Avalon is a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine that comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission and is the standard setup across all variants.

The engine churns out a healthy 268hp of power and 248lb.-ft of torque.

Though the power is adequate for a car of its segment, all other competitors have higher performance figures and feature an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Buick LaCrosse has the most powerful engine producing 310 hp of engine power and 268lb.-ft. of torque.

2017 Toyota Avalon Acceleration

The Toyota Avalon’s V6 engine is potent and its acceleration timings are evidence of it. The Avalon is capable of powering to 60 MPH from a standstill in 6.4 seconds and can complete a quarter-mile run in 14.8 seconds. The major advantage of the Toyota Avalon is its comparatively lower emission rates at 7.4 Tons/year of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year.

However, when compared with competitors the Avalon seems to fall short. Though it is faster than the Kia Cadenza that takes 6.5 seconds to reach the 60MPH mark, it is slower than the Buick LaCrosse’s 5.8 seconds. The Dodge Charger is both the fastest and quickest car in the segment and takes 4.6 and 11.4 seconds to the 60 MPH and quarter-mile mark respectively.

2017 Toyota Avalon Ride and Handling

The Toyota Avalon has been thoughtfully curated to fit into the category of a vehicle that can be used for the daily commute. Its huge size may be difficult to maneuver in the city and parking in sub-compact zones can be a tedious task but its light steering eases handling and makes up for its size. The interiors on the Avalon have an abundance of luxury and its hi-tech safety features enhance ride quality manifold.

2017 Toyota Avalon Braking

The Avalon is equipped with a 4-wheel disc brake that makes the braking decent and easy. The brake is neither too soft nor too confident in usage and seams in perfectly with the overall structure and body type. The Avalon features front and rear brakes of 11.7 and 11.1 inches respectively. In the deceleration test from 60-0 MPH, the Avalon covers a total distance of 126ft before coming to rest.

All other cars, the Dodge, the Kia, and the Buick have better braking capabilities and larger sets of brakes. It is again the Dodge’s Charger that outshines its competitors with a halting distance of 111ft followed closely by the Cadenza and the LaCrosse at 120 and 123ft respectively.

In a segment that features full-size sedans, fuel efficiency assumes utmost importance. The Toyota Avalon strikes a favorable impression with the most economical figures in the segment. The Avalon is capable of averaging 21 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on highways and has a combined mileage of 24 MPG.

In comparison, all competitors have a similarly combined mileage of 23 MPG. The LaCrosse is the most efficient on highways covering 31 miles per gallon of fuel.

The Toyota Avalon is roomy and has a total passenger volume of 103 cubic feet. It is capable of seating 5 passengers which is also the segment standard.

The Avalon has a total of 38.5/58.2/42.1 inches of head, shoulder, and legroom available at the front while at the rear these measure at 37.9/57/39.2 inches respectively.

In the segment, the Kia Cadenza has the highest amount of passenger volume on offer at 107.8 cubic feet while the LaCrosse has the lowest at 100 cubic feet. All cars have a similar amount of space available for the rear seat passengers but at the front, the Kia Cadenza remains marginally ahead of its competitors. Some notable features include:

• Keyless Start
• Adjustable Steering Wheel
• Steering Wheel Controls
• Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
• Trip Computer
• Intermittent Wipers

2017 Toyota Avalon Infotainment System

The infotainment system in the Toyota Avalon consists of a 7-inch screen that sits centrally between the chrome, carbon, and wood that surrounds the entire dash. The Avalon uses Toyota’s trademark Toyota Entune system and promises to be intuitive and responsive. The menu placement is quite logical but the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto might dishearten some. Other features include:

• 11-speaker JBL audio system
• Bluetooth Audio
• Voice Command
• USB Ports
• Real-Time Weather
• Real-Time Traffic

2017 Toyota Avalon Cargo Capacity

The Toyota Avalon is not only roomy on the inside but has a decent cargo capacity as well. The Avalon has an enormous 16 cubic feet of cargo space at its disposal and is competent enough to handle 5 suitcases making it practical and spacious.

Though it's commodious, the competition does it a little better. The cargo space on the Dodge Charger is slightly better at 16.1 cubic feet. The Kia Cadenza comes with an identical cargo space but the LaCrosse is a little shorter at 15 cubic feet.

The Toyota Avalon’s revised exterior design looks plusher and aesthetically pleasing. The front grille adds character to the design and in its stance, the Avalon looks domineering.

The new Toyota Avalon is the lightest car in the segment and weighs 3505 lbs. It is 195.3-in in length and 72.2-in in width. The Avalon stands at a height of 57.5 inches and a ground clearance of 5.5 inches that helps it endure tricky pavements. It has the shortest wheelbase as compared to any car in the segment at 111.0 inches.

Though all cars in the segment are similar in dimensions, the Dodge Charger has the largest proportions than the other cars in comparison and also is the heaviest car at 3934 lbs.

Toyota’s commitment to passenger safety is evident in the way the Avalon has been loaded. It comes equipped with Active Safety features which were earlier reserved for the higher end models in Toyota’s lineup. The Avalon is highly rated by IIHS and NHTSA and promises to be dependable.

The new set of active safety features include forward-collision warning, automatic pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, a lane departure warning and intervention system, and automatic high-beam headlight control. Other safety features include:

• Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Track Mode
• Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)
• Advanced Airbag System
• Three-point seatbelts
• Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
• Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor 
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children)
• Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)

Kia Cadenza Vs Toyota Avalon

Priced at $31,990, the Kia Cadenza features a 3.3L 6-cylinder engine that produces 290hp of power and 23lb.-ft of torque. The Cadenza and Avalon are similar in dimensions and fair equally in the acceleration tests. But the Cadenza boasts of better braking statistics and leads the pack in terms of passenger volume with 107 cubic feet. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, something that the Avalon misses out on. On the flip side, it is the Avalon that has better driving dynamics and handling and is more fuel-efficient.

Buick LaCrosse Vs Toyota Avalon

The Buick LaCrosse gets its power from a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine that produces 310hp of power and 293lb.-ft. of torque and possesses the most powerful engine in the segment. It overshadows the Avalon with its better acceleration, braking capabilities, and its 8-speed automatic transmission makes driving fun.

However, it lags behind Avalon with its lesser passenger volume and cargo volume at 100 and 15 cubic feet respectively as compared to Avalon’s 103.6 and 16.0 cubic feet. The Avalon also performs marginally better when it comes to fuel efficiency with a combined mileage of 24 MPG.

Dodge Charger Vs Toyota Avalon

The Dodge Charger is one of the strongest cars in the class. With more power and incredible drivability, the Dodge charges on the competition with ferocity. It is a more muscular car where the Avalon brings comfort and drivability to the table. The competitive edge that the new Dodge Charger has over all other cars in the segment is its lower price and larger dimensions.

The 2017 Toyota Avalon is the embodiment of comfortable driving and predictability. Toyota didn’t alter its winning recipe and focused on moreover presentation. The Avalon’s cabin is a better place to be in than any of the competitors. But its $33000 price tag might vex some buyers.