Acceleration

Touring	XLS	Limited w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7	7	6.1

Matches some costlier V8 cars for pep and polish. Test XLS did a quick 6.2 sec 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. Avalon uses regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

Touring	XLS	Limited w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	8	8	6.8

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
7	7	7	6.9

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 lit 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	7.9

Large-adult roomy with supportive seats. Driver comfort 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

Wide, flat-floor cabin allows true three-abreast comfort. Manual reclining seatbacks a luxury-class touch. Good leg and head room, but less expansive than in Ford Five Hundred/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	5.5

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
9	10	8	7.2

Even if Avalon's not miles ahead in this class for refinement, room, or interior ambience, no apologies are necessary for its showing in those areas. Considering its fine V6 powertrain, solid feel, cushy ride, and Toyota's strong track record for resale value, this is a Best Buy pick.

Total Score

Touring	XLS	Limited w/nav. sys.	Class Average
69	71	68	64.3

Scores for all Large Cars

Low Score		56
Average Score		64
High Score		71