2000-2004 Toyota Avalon: Full Review

Updated: 11/23/08

2000 Toyota Avalon
2004 Toyota Avalon
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2000-2004 Toyota Avalon 

  • Price Range:  $5,200 - $13,500
CG Rating

64

out of 100

About our Road Test

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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.

Pros

  • Automatic-transmission performance
  • Quietness
  • Acceleration
  • Build quality
  • Passenger room
  • Ride

Cons

  • Brake-pedal feel
  • Handling

Vehicle Highlights

America's sole import-brand full-size sedan earned a redesign for 2000. Styling was fresh, and the body gained about an inch in both width and height, but chassis specifications did not change. Toyota's 3.0-liter V6 engine and 4-speed automatic transmission returned from the first generation, but incorporating VVT-i variable-valve timing and other modifications added 10 horsepower. Antilock braking and side-impact airbags again were standard. Vehicle Skid Control and Brake Assist systems, respectively designed to activate individual brakes to counteract skids and automatically apply full braking force in emergency stops, became optional for the XLS sedan. Avalons came with a choice of front seating: buckets or a split bench. Options included leather upholstery, power seats, and a power moonroof. New standard features included dual-zone temperature control and a trunk pass-through for carrying long items. The XLS added aluminum wheels, a compass and trip computer, automatic temperature control, and a ventilation microfilter. New individual options included memory power seats, a "Homelink" remote garage-door opener, and a 115-volt AC power outlet inside the car.

Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)

Category Toyota Avalon XLS Rating
Performance 5
Fuel Economy 5
Ride Quality 7
Steering/Handling/Braking 5
Quietness 7
Controls/Materials 8
Interior Room 8
Room/Comfort (rear) 8
Cargo Capacity 4
Value within Class 7
Total Score: 64
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon.

Year to Year Changes


2001 Toyota Avalon: Toyota's full-size sedan was unchanged in the second season of its second-generation form.
2002 Toyota Avalon: There were no significant changes for 2002.
2003 Toyota Avalon: All models got styling changes front and rear and new-look gauges. Optional on XLS was a DVD navigation system with dashboard screen and remote control. XLS also gained standard rain-sensing windshield wipers.
2004 Toyota Avalon: The only change for Avalons this year is an antiskid/traction control system and full-power brake assist available on the XL and XLS.

Our road test for the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon is right for you.

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Toyota sought quieter running in the reworked Avalon, and handily achieved that goal. Except for mild tire rumble over very coarse pavement, this Avalon is a pleasantly hushed automobile. Even hard acceleration produces only a distant, rich engine sound. Acceleration is a tad better than before, thanks to little-changed weight and 10 extra horsepower--sufficient for nearly any situation. A test Avalon reached 60 mph in 8.3 seconds, and also averaged 21 mpg. The responsive automatic transmission is glassy smooth. Premium fuel is advised. Not only is the ride comfortable--close to plush, in fact--but drivers enjoy improved body control and firmer, more-communicative steering. The new Avalon dashes through twisty roads with almost sports-sedan poise--well-ahead of domestic rivals. Only a couple of quibbles have come up, including a bit of body drumming over rough patches, and slightly unprogressive pedal action in routine braking. In the seriously spacious interior, 6-footers can ride in tandem, with plenty of leg-stretching room for both. Higher-set seats are matched by a raised roofline that provides fine all-around head room. Three adults fit adequately on front and back seats, though middle riders must straddle a hump and may lack foot room. Rear entry/exit is easy enough, and all seats are comfortably supportive. Though not as long as the old Avalon's trunk, the new one is taller with plenty of space. Climate and audio controls couldn't be better, but the steering-wheel rim can obscure the tops of gauges without some juggling of seat and wheel. Abundant space is provided for small-item stowage, including a massive glovebox. Visibility is good despite hard-to-see rear body corners, and mirrors are usefully large.
Value for the Money
Spacious and posh, quiet and smooth-riding, the Avalon delivers Lexus-like attributes at a family oriented price. Approaching the near-luxury league in features, comfort, and functional roadability, it could be the best full-size sedan on the market.

Expert Ratings Summary

Category Toyota Avalon XLS Rating
Performance 5
Fuel Economy 5
Ride Quality 7
Steering/Handling/Braking 5
Quietness 7
Controls/Materials 8
Interior Room 8
Room/Comfort (rear) 8
Cargo Capacity 4
Value within Class 7
Total Score: 64

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Toyota Avalon includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Toyota Avalon .

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Sunroof/moonroof: The moon roof may make noise because the silencer pads come loose and get wedged in the slider assembly. A revised pad was being installed under warranty. (2000)

Water leak: Water leaks into trunk due to loose or missing air duct flaps. (2001)

Water leak: Water leaks at the A-pillar (between windshield and front door) require sealing in the upper-corner joint area. (2000)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.
Item Name Repair Cost
A/C Compressor $655
A/C Compressor $510
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $1,330
Brakes $450
Constant Velocity Joints $950
Exhaust System $475
Radiator $410
Shocks and/or Struts $900
Timing Chain or Belt $340
Our price chart for this generation Toyota Avalon details a range of prices in year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Prices Good Average Poor
2004
Avalon XL $12,000-13,200 $10,800-11,900 $6,700-7,400
Avalon XLS $13,500-14,800 $12,300-13,500 $8,000-8,700
2003
Avalon XL $9,500-10,500 $8,600-9,500 $4,900-5,500
Avalon XLS $10,800-11,800 $9,700-10,600 $5,800-6,400
2002
Avalon XL $7,700-8,700 $6,900-7,800 $3,900-4,400
Avalon XLS $8,800-9,800 $7,900-8,800 $4,600-5,100
2001
Avalon XL $6,700-7,600 $5,900-6,700 $3,100-3,500
Avalon XLS $7,700-8,700 $6,900-7,800 $3,900-4,400
2000
Avalon XL $6,000-6,800 $5,200-5,900 $2,500-2,900
Avalon XLS $6,700-7,500 $5,900-6,600 $3,100-3,500
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.
Specs for this generation Toyota Avalon include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification 4-door sedan
Wheelbase, in. 107.1
Overall Length, in. 191.9
Overall Width, in. 71.7
Overall Height, in. 57.7
Curb Weight, lbs. 3330
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 15.9
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 18.5
Seating Capacity 6
Front Head Room, in. 38.7
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 41.7
Rear Head Room, in. 37.9
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 40.1

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.


Powertrain Options and Availability

All Avalons used the same powertrain: a 3.0-liter dual-overhead-cam V6 engine and 4-speed automatic transmission.
Engines Size liters /
cu. in
Horse- power Torque Transmission:
EPA city/hgwy
Consumer Guide Observed
dohc V6 3.0 / 181 210 220 4-speed automatic: 21/29 4-speed automatic: 21

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Built In:  USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Toyota Avalon include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test 2000 Avalon
Front Impact, Driver 3
Front Impact, Passenger 5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.

NHTSA Recall History

2000: On certain cars, due to improper heat treatment, rear axle may not have adequate strength in some areas; shafts could fail or break after extended use.
2001: Front-subframe assembly on small number of vehicles was not adequately welded and could fail.

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