2001 Toyota Avalon Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Redesigned last year, America's only import-brand full-size sedan gets an in-trunk emergency release as its only change for 2001. Avalon offers XL and uplevel XLS models with V6, automatic transmission, antilock, 4-wheel disc brakes, front side airbags, and choice of bench or bucket front seats. XLS offers optional antiskid system with integrated traction control and Toyota's full-power Brake Assist emergency-stop feature.

Competition

This segment has been hardest hit by the huge popularity of sport-utility vehicles. Just a few years ago there were more than 12 cars in the segment and now there are just seven. Heading up the field as Best Buys are the Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid twins. They have real room for six, exceptional road manners, and plenty of power.

Toyota's Avalon and Buick's LeSabre are two Recommended choices. Both have room for five and offer a comfortable ride (with modest handling capabilities). If you are looking for towing ability or don't mind having a rear-drive car, then we recommend you take a look at the Ford Crown Victoria. With its rear-drive layout and body-on-frame chassis it's a dinosaur in this class, but Ford has updated it nicely over the years and it comes at a reasonable price.

News

Buyers evidently liked Avalon's 2000-model redesign, as calendar-year sales jumped nearly 53 percent to just over 104,00, a new record for Toyota's full-size sedan. That compares with a 12-percent year-over-year decline in calendar '99 and probably reflects increased output at Toyota's hard-working Kentucky plant. Industry sources don't see Avalon being redesigned before model-year 2005, but there's an off-chance that a replacement could appear a little before that, what with the parent Camry starting a new generation this fall.

2001 Toyota Avalon Road Test

Pros	Cons

Build quality	Brake-pedal feel

Acceleration

Automatic transmission performance

Quietness

Passenger room

Ride/handling

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

XL w/bench seat	XLS w/bucket seats	Class Average
5	5	5.6

Strong enough for most any situation. Test XLS did 0-60 mph in 8.3 sec, about midpack for the class. Automatic transmission is responsive, glassy smooth.

Fuel Economy

XL w/bench seat	XLS w/bucket seats	Class Average
5	5	4.8

Better than average for the class with a commendable 21 mpg in our tests. Premium fuel is recommended but not mandatory.

Ride Quality

XL w/bench seat	XLS w/bucket seats	Class Average
7	7	6.1

Comfortable, almost plush. Only mild float over large dips and crests disturbs the calm.

Steering/Handling/Braking

XL w/bench seat	XLS w/bucket seats	Class Average
5	5	5

No sports sedan, but hustles well along twisty roads, abetted by firm, communicative steering. Body roll is noticeable in hard cornering, but isn't alarming. Our test car's brakes were touchy in routine use but superb in hard stops.

Quietness

XL w/bench seat	XLS w/bucket seats	Class Average
7	7	6

Rivals Toyota's luxury Lexus models, with only mild tire rumble on very coarse pavement and a distant, rich-sounding engine note even in pedal-to-metal acceleration.

Controls

XL w/bench seat	XLS w/bucket seats	Class Average
8	8	5.3

Dashboard works well, though steering-wheel rim can obscure the tops of the main gauges. Climate and audio controls couldn't be better. Drivers have good visibility despite hard-to-see rear body corners, helped by large door mirrors.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

XL w/bench seat	XLS w/bucket seats	Class Average
7	8	7

One of the best around in this area, especially for the big-and-tall crowd.

Room/Comfort (rear)

XL w/bench seat	XLS w/bucket seats	Class Average
8	8	5.9

As in front, comfortable width for three adults, though middle riders must straddle a floor hump. Ample 6-footer leg room even with front seats pushed back; great head clearance too.

Cargo Room

XL w/bench seat	XLS w/bucket seats	Class Average
4	4	5.8

More than enough for most family excursions, and trunk opening big enough for larger cargo. Plenty of interior storage too, including a large glovebox.

Value within Class

XL w/bench seat	XLS w/bucket seats	Class Average
8	8	7

Roomy, quiet, smooth-riding, and quite roadable for a family-oriented sedan, Avalon is the next best thing to the Best Buy near-luxury Lexus ES 300--and more affordable. Toyota's strong track record for quality, reliability, and resale value appeals greatly too.

Total Score

XL w/bench seat	XLS w/bucket seats	Class Average
64	65	58.5

Scores for all Large Cars

Low Score		50
Average Score		58
High Score		65

2001 Toyota Avalon Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 09/26/2000

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

XL 4-door sedan, front bucket seats	$25,845	$23,000	$455

XL 4-door sedan, front bench seat	$26,665	$23,730	$455

XLS 4-door sedan, front bucket seats	$30,405	$26,756	$455

XLS 4-door sedan, front bench seat	$30,305	$26,668	$455

Price note: Prices are for vehicles distributed by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The dealer invoice and destination charge may be higher in areas served by independent distributors.

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

3.0-liter dohc V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunk release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone manual control, variable-assist power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, manual front bucket seats w/center console or power split bench seat, cupholders, rear seat trunk pass-through, overhead console, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, outside temperature indicator, rear defogger, illuminated visor mirrors, variable intermittent wipers, remote fuel door and decklid releases, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Full-size spare tire, 205/65R15 tires, wheel covers.

XLS adds to XL:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Dual-zone automatic climate control, interior air filter, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power front seats, heated power mirrors, JBL sound system, remote keyless entry, trip computer, compass, automatic day/night rearview mirror, universal garage door opener.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Pkg. 1
XL w/bucket seats	$1,035	$828
Power front seats, remote keyless entry.

Pkg. 2
XL w/bucket seats	$1,420	$1,136
Power front seats, remote keyless entry, 205/65HR15 tires, alloy wheels.

Pkg. 3
XL w/bench seat	$670	$536
Remote keyless entry, 205/65R15 tires, alloy wheels.

Pkg. 4
XL w/bench seat	$1,820	$1,456
Leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, remote keyless entry, 205/65HR16 tires, alloy wheels.

Pkg. 5
XLS	$1,375	$1,100
Leather upholstery, memory for driver seat and mirrors, AC outlet, 205/60R16 tires.

Pkg. 6
XLS	$1,625	$1,288
Pkg. 5 plus in-dash 6-disc CD changer.

Pkg. 7
XLS	$1,940	$1,540
Pkg. 6 plus heated front seats.

Pkg. 8
XLS	$330	$252
In-dash 6-disc CD changer, 205/60R16 tires.

Gold Pkg.
XL, XLS	$164	$89


Safety
Antiskid system
XLS	$850	$680
Includes traction control and brake assist.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
XL, XLS	$910	$728


JBL sound system
XL	$360	$270


Security System
XL	$249	$155
Includes remote keyless entry and theft-deterrent system.

Floormats
XL, XLS	$159	$97
Includes cargo mat.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Glass breakage sensor
XLS	$115	$75


Special paint
XL, XLS	$220	$187


Alloy wheels
XL	$699	$549

2001 Toyota Avalon Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Toyota Avalon 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.	3417

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.

Engines

	dohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.0 /181

Horsepower @ rpm.	210 @ 5800

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	220 @ 4400

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	21/29

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Toyota Avalon 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Side Impact, Driver	4

Side Impact, Rear 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%. Side-impact 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%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	5/60,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	5/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	None/--	Prius gets 3/36,000 Roadside Assistance.

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2001 Toyota Avalon Photos

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