Used 2018 Toyota Avalon XLE Plus for sale 

There are a total of eight trim levels including three hybrid trims. All 5 non-hybrid trims get a 268 hp V6 mated to a 6-Speed Automatic while the Avalon Hybrid has an I4 engine with electric motors for a total system output of 200 hp. The base Avalon XLE starts at $33,500 and offers more than enough features to satisfy all your requirements.

The Avalon Touring ($37,900) is the one to get if you want a hint of sportiness as it gets a sportier suspension and larger 18-inch wheels. The top-spec no- hybrid Toyota Avalon Limited is priced at $41,300. The Hybrid powertrain is available in three trims - the XLE Plus, the XLE Premium, and the XLE Limited.

All the non-hybrid Avalon gets the same powertrain, a 3.5L V6 engine developing 268 hp and 248 pounds-feet of torque mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The V6 can propel this full-size barge with gusto. Sadly, all-wheel drive is not on offer and the power is transferred to the front wheels as standard. The Avalon Hybrid gets a 2.5L I4 engine assisted by an electric motor.

The combined power is lower through - 200 hp. Hybrid gets a CVT instead of a traditional automatic.

Nissan gets a 3.5-liter V6 engine that gives us the maximum power output of 300-hp in the comparison. The Dodge Charger has an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the Avalon has a 6-speed automatic transmission, and also gives us a higher power output of 292-hp than the Avalon.

How quick is the 0-60 mph acceleration of the 2018 Toyota Avalon?

The 3.5L V6 Toyota Avalon can accelerate this full-size luxury barge from rest to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. That's faster than the much more aggressive-looking Dodge Charger. With so much power on tap, overtaking even the faster freeway traffic is effortless.

A similar performance is seen on the quarter-mile acceleration where the Avalon takes 14.5-seconds.

The 2018 Nissan Maxima is the quickest in acceleration with 0-60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. The Dodge Charger, even though more powerful than the Avalon, takes 0.3-sec more to reach the 60-mph mark. But the Charger has a greater top speed than the Toyota of 140-mph while the Avalon has a top speed of 130-mph. The Maxima has the highest top speed of 145-mph.

How is the ride and handling of the 2018 Toyota Avalon?

The suspension of the Avalon is supple enough to lull you to sleep on a long trip. It dismissed any kind of bump at any speed with aplomb. This combined with its rock-solid stability at freeway speeds and confidence-inspiring cornering characteristics makes the Avalon a perfect transcontinental cruiser. The Touring trim gets the sporty suspension and larger wheels for those who want a bit more "sport".The suspension is set up for a plush ride, but the Touring model's stiffer suspension won't compromise the luxury feel.

The Avalon aims to lower your pulse and every single component of the powertrain and chassis is engineered to deliver just that. The engine delivers power smoothly, the transmission shuffles the torque smoothly and the suspension absorbs the imperfection and keeps the car moving - smoothly. That said, the Avalon does inspire confidence even through high-speed corners.

How is the braking performance of the 2018 Toyota Avalon?

The Avalon gets 11.7-inch brake rotors up front and 11.7-inch rotors at the back. That's the smallest among the competitors compared here and it does compromise the braking of the Avalon. Even though Avalon is the lightest here, it takes longer to stop from 60 than the Charger. That said, it does offer a linear pedal response that helps to make smooth stops easy.

The Dodge Charger has the biggest brakes in comparison which performs extremely well and helps the vehicle to come to a standstill in just 110-feet. The NissanMaxima has a smaller rear brake as compared to the Charger. But it has bigger brakes than the Avalon, yet underperforms in this sector as compared to the Avalon. 

With such performance in such a large size sedan, even the non-hybrid Avalon is incredibly efficient delivering 21 mpg in city and 30 mpg on the highway for a combined rating of 24 mpg. The Impala delivers slightly better efficiency but with much lower performance. The large 17-gallon fuel tank gives it a cruising range of 560 miles - as we said, a proper transcontinental liner.

And then comes the Avalon hybrid. Everything in its powertrain is tuned for efficiency. The 2.5L I4 uses Atkinson-cycle and it's mated to a CVT transmission. The electric motor assists the combustion engine and harnesses the braking energy. All these wizardries mean this full-size sedan delivers compact car-like efficiency - 40 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway.

The Avalon's interior can give any luxury car costing more than twice the money nightmares when it comes to pure comfort. The quality of the material is flawless, the fit and finish are perfect and the cabin is loaded with equipment - even is base trim. While the rear seats are as relaxing as a warm bath, even the driving environment is unhurried. The rear seats are sofa-like - wide and expansive with abundant leg-room. The seats are so plush, you sink in them. 

While standard dual-zone climate control is powerful and keeps the cabin climate pleasant under any condition, the Limited trim gets three-zone climate control. It's easy to find a perfect driving position with 8-way power-adjustable driver's seats and power lumbar support.

Once you find your perfect driving position, you notice a largely simple, and unhurried instrument cluster, a leather-clad steering wheel that's good to hold, and a wide dashboard covered in rich leather with high-quality stitching.

You will also find outward visibility great. While even the base Avalon XLE gets standard heated seats that feel lovely, the Avalon Limited gets ventilated front seats. All these combined with its hushed cabin and long-range really helps it shrink vast distances. Even an airliner like an ambient light is on offer - those with frequent long-distance commuters will love it.

How much Cargo volume is available in the 2018 Toyota Avalon?

Complementing the Avalon’s large cabin and long distance capability is its spacious trunk. With 16 cubic feet of luggage capacity on offer, it can easily swallow all the occupants' luggage. However, the Avalon Hybrid's battery pack eats up 2-cubic feet of luggage space. As befits a big sedan, the Avalon features a sufficiently large trunk.

The rear seats don't fold down, but there is a central pass-through.

The Nissan Maxima has the smallest cargo capacity of 14.3 cu-ft. The Dodge charger is almost equal in cargo volume as compared to the Avalon. 

How intuitive is the Infotainment System of the 2018 Toyota Avalon?

When it comes to infotainment, the Avalon does not have much to impress. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are missing. On top of that, you have to get an Avalon XLE Premium or higher to get Navigation while rivals like Maxima offer it as standard. That said, the top end Avalon Limited will delight Audiophiles with its gorgeous-sounding 11-speaker JBL audio system. Here is the list of key infotainment features of the 2018 Toyota Avalon:

• 7-inch touchscreen display
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Voice Control
• USB Ports
• 11-speaker JBL Audio system
• Navigation

The Avalon has a reserved understated styling - like a typical Toyota sedan. However, the length and width give it a considerable road presence. Carrying on Toyota's recent fascination, the Avalon gets large front grilles. However, it is not as loud and the long horizontal slats with chrome accent do give it a sense of width and add to the substance of the vehicle.

The Avalon now has a gently sloping roofline towards the rear that adds a hint of sportiness. However, the ingress and egress are still effortless and the long rear doors ensure getting out of those large rear sofa-seats will still be dignified when arriving at a board meeting. The Avalon weighs lowest among the competition at 3461 pounds - a massive 400 pound less than the Charger. Lengthwise, it's considerably shorter than the Impala and Charger. However, the Avalon's wheelbase is similar to the overall lengthier Impala - a hint of its interior roominess.

The Avalon gets 17-inch wheels in all but the Touring and Limited trims. Touring and Limited trims get the larger 18-inch wheels. While the Avalon Touring gets sporty dark painted wheels, the Avalon Limited gets luxury themed super-chrome wheels. Although 18-inch wheels do not compromise ride quality much, Toyota does offer optional 17-inch super-chrome alloys in Limited trim - attention to detail.

Toyota has always been careful about the structural strength of its vehicles and thus is able to handle high impact stresses in case of an accident. The NHTSA has rated the new Toyota Avalon with perfect 5-stars in their crash test. Along with that, the IIHS has awarded the Toyota Avalon as the Top Safety Pick in the large sedan segment for the year 2018. The Toyota offers Toyota Safety Sense as standard bundled with the following modern active safety and driver assistance systems:

• Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
• Traction Control (TRAC)
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Brake Assist (BA) 
• Smart Stop Technology (SST) 
• Ten airbags - includes driver and front passenger
• Energy-absorbing collapsible steering column
• Front and rear energy-absorbing crumple zones
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) 
• Anti-theft system with engine immobilizer

Toyota Avalon vs Nissan Maxima

While the Avalon is sedated and reserved in look, the Maxima will attract plenty of attention with its busy exterior. Also, the Nissan Maxima will be to your taste if you prefer athletic driving characteristics with its strong engine and tight dynamics. It combines all these with its comfort, efficiency, and great reliability.

However, the Avalon has a far better rear seat and will cocoon you and your passengers better.

Toyota Avalon vs Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger is unlike any other full-size sedan. In fact, Avalon and Charger are poles apart. While Avalon gets sedate styling, FWD, and is calm and quiet, the Charger is rear-wheel-drive, has muscle car looks with loud colors, and offers a full array of rumbling and tire-smoking V8s. That said, Avalon easily beats the Charger when it comes to transporting you over long distances with minimal fatigue.

The Toyota Avalon is a luxury car with an innocuous Toyota badge and styling. It has a clear objective - to provide luxury car level comfort, space, and features at a reasonable price. It succeeds in that objective with the excellent build quality, comfort, and smooth performance. However, there is one caveat - its infotainment is not at all modern. Also, while navigation is available, it's only offered on the higher XLE Platinum trim. And although the sloping roof is there and the Touring trim gets stiffened suspension, it's never an exciting car. So, if you are looking for more excitement and are willing to sacrifice rear-seat comfort, get the Maxima. Need even more excitement? Get the Charger and spec it with a V8.