2002 Toyota Avalon Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

America's only import-brand full-size sedan is offered in XL and uplevel XLS versions. Both Avalon models have a V6 engine, automatic transmission, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, front side airbags, and choice of bench or bucket front seats. XLS offers optional antiskid system that includes traction control and Toyota's full-power Brake Assist emergency-stop feature.

Competition

This segment has been hard hit by the popularity of sport-utility vehicles. Just a few years back 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, the Ford Crown Victoria with its rear-drive layout and body-on-frame chassis is an option. Ford has updated it nicely over the years and it comes at a reasonable price.

News

As proof of just how fickle consumers can be, Avalon's year-to-year sales shriveled by 21.7 percent for the first nine months of 2001. That compares to the steep 53-percent gain for calendar 2000, the best 12 months ever for Toyota's full-size sedan.

Avalon was redesigned for 2000 on the platform of Toyota's previous-generation Camry sedan, which has now been replaced. But industry sources say Avalon will continue pretty much as is until model-year 2005 and a scheduled redesign.

2002 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 and smooth.

Fuel Economy

XL w/bench seat	XLS w/bucket seats	Class Average
5	5	4.6

Better than average for the class with a commendable 21-23 mpg in our tests. Toyota recommends premium fuel.

Ride Quality

XL w/bench seat	XLS w/bucket seats	Class Average
8	8	6.7

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	5.3

Fine straight-line stability and highly competent in gentle driving. But weak-kneed in fast turns, with light steering, mediocre road feel, lots of body lean, and humble grip from tires. Brakes can be touchy in routine use but are superb in quick stops.

Quietness

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

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
7	7	5.3

Steering-wheel rim can obscure the tops of main gauges, and panel displaying time, compass, and other information is far away and difficult to read in all but ideal light. Climate and audio controls couldn't be better.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

XL w/bench seat	XLS w/bucket seats	Class Average
7	8	6.9

Among the best around, especially for the big-and-tall crowd. Buckets support better than bench in turns. Drivers have good visibility despite hard-to-see rear body corners; large door mirrors help.

Room/Comfort (rear)

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

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	6.9

It's a little sloppy in changes of direction, but the roomy, quiet, and smooth-riding Avalon rivals more-expensive near-luxury sedans in most every other respect. Toyota's strong track record for quality, reliability, and resale value adds to the appeal, making this a solid Recommended pick.

Total Score

XL w/bench seat	XLS w/bucket seats	Class Average
64	65	59.1

Scores for all Large Cars

Low Score		52
Average Score		59
High Score		65

2002 Toyota Avalon Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 09/29/2001

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

XL 4-door sedan, front bucket seats	$25,845	$23,000	$485

XL 4-door sedan, front bench seat	$26,665	$23,730	$485

XLS 4-door sedan, front bucket seats	$30,405	$26,756	$485

XLS 4-door sedan, front bench seat	$30,305	$26,668	$485

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, 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, 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	$1,150	$920
Power front seats, remote keyless entry.

Pkg. 2
XL w/bucket seats	$1,540	$1,232
Power front seats, remote keyless entry, alloy wheels.

Pkg. 3
XL w/bench seat	$705	$564
Remote keyless entry, alloy wheels.

Pkg. 4
XL w/bench seat	$1,900	$1,520
Leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, remote keyless entry, alloy wheels.

Luxury Pkg.
XL w/bucket seats	$1,915	$1,724
XL w/bench seat	$1,060	$954
Leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, power front seats (bucket seats), remote keyless entry, JBL sound system.

Sport Luxury Pkg.
XL w/bucket seats	$2,264	$2,038
XL w/bench seat	$1,409	$1,268
Leather upholstery, power front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry, JBL sound system, rear spoiler, 205/60R16 tires, alloy wheels.

Pkg. 6
XLS	$470	$424
Leather upholstery, driver-seat and mirror memory, AM/FM/cassette w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, 205/60R16 tires.

Pkg. 7
XLS	$785	$707
Pkg. 6 plus heated front seats.

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

Preferred Accessory Pkg.
XL, XLS	$381	$231
Floormats, cargo mat, glass breakage sensor, wheel locks.

Safety
Antiskid system
XLS	$650	$520
Includes traction control and brake assist.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
XL, XLS	$900	$720


JBL sound system
XL	$360	$270
XL w/bucket seats requires Pkg. 1, 2, or 3.

Floormats
XL, XLS	$179	$109
Includes cargo mat.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Gold Pkg.
XL, XLS	$164	$91


Special paint
XL, XLS	$220	$187


Alloy wheels
XL	$592	$440

2002 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	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Rollover Resistance	4

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/--	3/36,000 on Prius.

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

< 2002 Toyota Avalon Photos

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Toyota Avalon Prices & Equipment

Toyota Avalon Specs & Safety

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