2009 Toyota Avalon Review Summaries

What reviewers liked most about the Toyota Avalon:

Fine balance of softness, composure.

-- Consumer Guide

The Avalon interior is remarkably clean and uncluttered.

-- New Car Test Drive

Rear legroom is particularly generous with three-across seating facilitated by elimination of the rear hump.

-- New Car Test Drive

We quickly discovered the Avalon is the kind of car that will never annoy you, a car best characterized by the absence of noise, vibration or harshness.

-- New Car Test Drive

The engine is spooky smooth, velvety in its power delivery, and dang near silent in operation while the transmission's ratios seem perfectly chosen.

-- The Car Connection

...the V6 can barely be heard while idling and is glassy-smooth across the rev band.

-- The Car Connection

What reviewers liked least about the Toyota Avalon:

...simulated panic stops induced noticeable nosedive.

-- Consumer Guide

Touring uses same tires as other models, but firmer suspension registers some pavement imperfections other Avalons ignore.

-- Consumer Guide

Toyota Avalon Comparisons:

...assembly quality, materials no longer easily outpace those of like-priced rivals.

-- Consumer Guide

It's no longer the hands-down class leader in refinement, room, or interior ambiance.

-- Consumer Guide

The Avalon ultimately drives a lot like, well, a Lexus ES330... only bigger and more powerful.

-- The Car Connection

Best one-liner about the Toyota Avalon:

...with just a few well-defined design strokes, the new Avalon manages to project more character, more contemporary energy than ever before.

-- New Car Test Drive

...the newest model offers as many surprises as watching reruns of the Weather Channel.

-- New York Times

Any more airbags and the Avalon could be used as a flotation device.

-- The Car Connection

It's a handsome car even if it's not particularly memorable - more Lyle Waggoner than Robert Redford.

-- The Car Connection