2006 Toyota Avalon Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Avalon is a front-wheel-drive, five-passenger sedan offered in XL, Touring, XLS, and top-line Limited trim. It has a 268-hp V6 and a 5-speed automatic transmission. ABS is standard. Traction/antiskid control is available. Avalons come with front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and a driver knee airbag. The Touring comes with firmer suspension, rear spoiler, and unique trim. Exclusive to Limited are keyless ignition and heated/cooled power front seats. Leather upholstery is standard except on XL. All models have a tilt/telescope steering wheel with audio and climate controls, plus rear seatbacks with adjustable recline. A navigation system is available for XLS and Limited. A dealer-installed towing package is a new '06 option.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Large Cars comprise the biggest passenger sedans and wagons. Large, inside and out, they also include the only 6-passenger cars. Large Cars offer lots of metal for the money and are dominated by domestic brands.

Our Best Buys include Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego, and Toyota Avalon. At this time we have no Recommended picks.

News

Avalon's current design dates from 2005 and is thus still fresh, so little near-term change should occur. An exception would be adding a gasoline/electric version. Toyota says it wants to make hybrid power available across its entire lineup. When might Avalon get it? That still seems to depend on availability of electric-drive components from Toyota suppliers. But now that a hybrid Camry is coming out of Toyota's Kentucky plant, we'd look for a counterpart Avalon within the next two years.

2006 Toyota Avalon Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Navigation system controls

Automatic-transmission performance

Quietness

Passenger room

Ride/handling

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Touring	XLS	Limited w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7	7	5.6

Matches some costlier V8 cars for pep and polish. Test XLS did a quick 6.2 second 0-60 mph. Transmission in one test car slurred some shifts.

Fuel Economy

Touring	XLS	Limited w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5	5	4.5

Test Avalons averaged 22.6-28.0 mpg in mostly highway driving, 18.4 in a city/highway mix that included gas-eating performance tests. Toyota recommends 91-octane fuel.

Ride Quality

Touring	XLS	Limited w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7	7	6.7

Plush feel, though too much float over dips and crests for some tastes. Nicely smothers small bumps, ruts, expansion joints. Firmer-suspension Touring, however, registers some blemishes that other models don't.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Touring	XLS	Limited w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	6	6	5.9

Poised enough for a big family sedan, with fine straightline stability. Some testers want more steering feel and weight. Good grip in turns, but body lean pronounced as cornering speeds increase. Touring a touch more responsive in quick direction changes, but has no better steering feel. Strong brakes easy to modulate, but simulated panic stops induced marked nosedive.

Quietness

Touring	XLS	Limited w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	8	8	6.8

Tranquil. Only mild tire rumble on coarse pavement. V6 sounds rich, is always subdued. Some highway wind rush around door mirrors, but little noise otherwise.

Controls

Touring	XLS	Limited w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7	6	6.5

Legible gauges glow crisply at night. Standard steering wheel controls a convenience plus, but main functions and several accessories operate from look-alike buttons in central dashboard. Navigation switches nicely organized on tilt-out panel, but programming can frustrate--a potential distraction. Elegant cabin decor, but assembly and materials no longer easily outpace those of like-priced rivals. One test example suffered minor dashboard rattles.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Touring	XLS	Limited w/nav. sys.	Class Average
9	9	9	7.8

Large-adult roomy. Comfortable, supportive seats, enhanced on Limited by power in/out thigh bolsters. Visibility a bit pinched to right-rear, fine otherwise.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Touring	XLS	Limited w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	8	8	7.1

Wide, flat-floor cabin allows true three-abreast comfort on smartly contoured bench seat. Manual reclining seatbacks a luxury-class touch. Good leg and head room, but less expansive than in Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego--and toe space is tight. As in front, large door openings allow fuss-free entry/exit.

Cargo Room

Touring	XLS	Limited w/nav. sys.	Class Average
4	4	4	5.8

Trunk has space enough for most family excursions, but packing complicated by intrusion from wheel housings and trunklid hinges. Ample cabin storage includes dedicated cell phone holder.

Value within Class

Touring	XLS	Limited w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	9	7	7.1

Avalon is no longer miles ahead in this class for refinement, room, or interior ambience, yet remains an unquestioned Best Buy. Among its many assets are a fine V6 powertrain, solid feel, cushy ride, and Toyota's strong track record for quality, reliability, and resale value.

Total Score

Touring	XLS	Limited w/nav. sys.	Class Average
69	70	67	63.8

Scores for all Large Cars

Low Score		56
Average Score		63
High Score		70

2006 Toyota Avalon Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 06/13/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

XL 4-door sedan	$26,625	$23,788	$580

Touring 4-door sedan	$28,875	$25,797	$580

XLS 4-door sedan	$31,075	$27,344	$580

Limited 4-door sedan	$33,815	$29,757	$580

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

3.5-liter V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, driver knee airbag, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunklid release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic controls, interior air filter, power steering, tilt/telescope steering wheel w/radio and climate controls, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, 8-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, center console, cupholders, reclining and split folding rear seat w/trunk pass-through, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, illuminated visor mirrors, variable-intermittent wipers, map lights, rear defogger, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, full-size spare tire, 215/60R16 tires, alloy wheels.

Touring adds to XL:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, power passenger seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Xenon headlights, rear spoiler, fog lights, sport suspension, 215/55R17 tires.

XLS adds to XL:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, power passenger seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated power mirrors w/driver-side automatic day/night, power sunroof, AM/FM/cassette w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, compass, automatic day/night rearview mirror, universal garage door opener.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, 215/55R17 tires.

Limited adds to XLS:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Heated/cooled front seats w/cushion-length adjustment, memory system (driver seat, mirrors), woodgrain/leather-wrapped steering wheel, mirror-mounted turn signals, keyless starting and entry, JBL sound system, rain-sensing wipers, power rear sunshade.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Xenon headlights.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
VSC and Seat Heater Pkg.
Touring, XLS	$1,090	$872
Traction control, antiskid system, brake assist, heated front seats.

Safety
Antiskid system
XL, Limited	$650	$520
Includes traction control and brake assist.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system
XLS	$2,540	$2,105
Limited	$1,900	$1,625
XLS includes JBL sound system.

Adaptive cruise control
Limited	$600	$480
Requires antiskid system.

Power sunroof
XL, Touring	$910	$728


AM/FM/cassette w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
XL, Touring	$200	$150


JBL AM/FM/cassette w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
Touring	$840	$630


JBL sound system
XLS	$640	$480


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Alarm
XL, Touring	$220	$176


Special paint
Limited, Touring, XL, XLS	$220	$187

2006 Toyota Avalon Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Toyota Avalon 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	111.0

Overall Length, in.	197.2

Overall Width, in.	72.8

Overall Height, in.	58.5

Curb Weight, lbs.	3490

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.4

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.5

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.8

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.3

Rear Head Room, in.	37.5

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	40.9

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

Engines

	dohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.5 /211

Horsepower @ rpm.	268 @ 6200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	248 @ 4700

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	22/31

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	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	5

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	For Highlander Hybrid, Prius: 5/60,000 on powertrain, 8/100,000 on hybrid components.

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

Tester's Comments

(what's this?)

Vehicle Evaluated: 2006 Toyota Avalon
Trim Level: XLS
Arrival Date: 01/12/2006
Engine: dohc V6
Bodystyle: 4-door sedan
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
4WD/AWD: No
Base Price: $31,075
Price as Tested: $33,544
Mileage at Beginning of Test: 4010
Mileage at End of Test: 6133
Total Measured Miles:
Total Fuel Used: 41.059 gals.

Major Options: JBL 6-Disc CD Changer w/12 Speakers, Vehicle Stability Control, Brake Assist, Heated Front Seats, Carpet Floor Mats and Trunk Mat

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 22.63 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Kirk Bell In terms of power, ride quality, and amenities, the Avalon is an excellent buy. And it doesn't look so much like a grandpa car any more. However, the squeaks and rattles I heard in this tester raise some concerns. I'd need to drive another one to determine if I'd recommend it.

Mark Bilek Avalon is a great Buick Lucerne, or is it the Lucerne is a great Avalon. Either way, they are both worth a look for shoppers that want a comfortable, full-size sedan designed for traditional American tastes. I'm a little disappointed at the price point for Avalon, but Toyota's getting pretty much whatever they want these days, so it must be doing something right.

Tom Appel Realtors and retirees, your car is here. Comfort without luxury pretense, power without noise or harshness, space without bulk--Avalon does exactly what most large sedan buyers want. Just don't expect to have any fun driving it.

< 2006 Toyota Avalon Photos

Also in the 2006 Toyota Avalon Review:

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Toyota Avalon Road Test

Toyota Avalon Prices & Equipment

Toyota Avalon Specs & Safety

Toyota Avalon Photos

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