The is a full-size sedan manufactured by Toyota, as its largest front-wheel drive sedan; also its flagship in the United States, Canada, China and the Middle East. The Avalon was also manufactured in Australia from April 2000 until June 2005, when it was replaced in November 2006 by the Aurion. The first production Avalon was manufactured in September 1994 at the TMMK assembly line in Georgetown, Kentucky, where subsequent generations have been manufactured.
Toyota marketed the front-drive Avalon as a replacement for its rear-drive Cressida, a model discontinued for the American market in 1992. The Cressida was an upper-level, mid-size, rear-wheel drive sedan. The Avalon has at times overlapped Toyota's models using the same platform, including the Camry V6 and the Lexus ES. The third-generation and subsequent generations was distinguished by offering extra legroom due to its extended-length chassis. From 2013, the Lexus ES was moved to the extended platform to match the Avalon.
As of 2013, the Avalon was sold in the United States, Canada, China, South Korea and the Middle East. It was discontinued in the United States in 2022.
Avalon is a legendary island of the Arthurian legend, fitting it in with Toyota's tradition of naming their sedans after variants of the word for "crown" in various languages (Crown, Corona, Camry, Corolla), types of crowns (Tiara), or other aspects of royalty (Scepter).
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First generation (XX10; 1994)
The Avalon was a new model introduced in February 1994 at the Chicago International Auto Show and launched in late 1994 for the 1995 model year. Development began in 1990 under the 299T project code (ending in 1993), with the design phase concluding in 1991 with internal approval of the final design. Design patents were filed with the Japanese Patent Office on 17 February 1992, under patent number 0890183. Built in the same plant as the Camry, the Avalon was based on a stretched XV10 Camry platform featuring a 3.0-liter 1MZ-FE V6 engine making and of torque. With almost of interior space, the Avalon was the roomiest six-passenger car from a Japanese manufacturer sold in America, despite being three inches shorter than the Mazda 929 and 11 inches shorter than the Dodge Intrepid. Its exterior dimensions were almost exactly the same as its perennial competitors, the Nissan Maxima, Mitsubishi Diamante and Mazda Millenia.
Toyota first introduced the "Avalon" name on a concept convertible sedan at the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show.
The Avalon was available with a front bench seat for six-passenger seating, and its column shifter was the first such feature in an American Toyota car since the T130 series Corona. The XL models were similar to the LE models of other Toyota vehicles, and the XLS models were similar to the XLE models of other Toyota vehicles. Traction control was optional. For 1997 models ABS became standard, power rating increased to , and torque increased to . In 1997 for the 1998 model year a mid-cycle refresh was introduced with minor updates to the front and rear fascias. Also for 1998, the Avalon's structure was modified to improve safety while front seat-mounted side airbags became standard.
The first-generation Avalon was also sold in Japan (vehicles were made in the United States and exported to Japan) as a right-hand drive model, and was exclusive to Toyopet Store locations. In Japan, it was the largest front-wheel drive sedan at Toyopet Store locations, and was sold alongside the front-engine, rear-drive Toyota Celsior, and was available in 3.0 and 3.0 G grade levels, with the "Coach Edition" available as an option starting in late 1997 (equivalent to the 1998 model year). In Japan it was classified as a luxury car (and so carried an expensive, yearly road tax) because of Japanese government dimension regulations that placed it in the "large car" category and its, by Japanese standards, large engine displacement.
Australia (2000–2005) In 1999, Toyota recycled the old tooling for the old Avalon by shipping it to Toyota Australia, and launched it as an "all-new" model in June 2000. The new Australian Avalon had an identical body to the original model. The Australian model was built at the Toyota Australia Altona Plant in Melbourne, made in both right-hand drive (for Australia, New Zealand, and some parts of Asia), as well as left-hand drive for the Middle East. The Camry was also made at this plant. The Avalon performed poorly in Australia; critics called the car "boring", and sales were low. The Avalon was front-wheel drive and available only as a sedan with a 3.0-liter V6 and automatic transmission. By contrast, its intended rivals, the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore, were rear-wheel drive and offered a wider range of body styles and engine/transmission options.
Toyota had originally decided to rename the Avalon as the Centaur for the Australian market, after the mythological creature of the same name. However, the Australian hospital ship AHS Centaur had been torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine during World War II and when Toyota Australia was made aware of this prior to the release of the car, they organised for the Centaur badges to be destroyed and removed the offending nameplate from all paperwork and advertising. As a result, the original "Avalon" name prevailed for the Australian market.
When the Avalon was updated in 2001 as the "Mark II" (not to be confused with the separate Toyota Mark II), the model range was lightly revised and new hubcaps/alloy wheels were fitted. The "Mark III" designation refers to the 2003 to 2005 facelift models.
Many buyers preferred the V6-powered Camry instead of the Avalon. Furthermore, the 2003 facelift failed to rectify the lower than expected sales, with many criticizing the new front styling. Because of these sales concerns, Toyota Australia marketed it towards taxi fleets, against the Ford Falcon, with a specially developed dual-fuel (LPG and gasoline)-compatible engine. Avalon production ceased in mid-2005. In November 2006, Toyota introduced its replacement, the Toyota Aurion (XV40).
Toyota X-Runner Concept At the 2003 Melbourne and Sydney International Motor Shows, Toyota Australia unveiled the X-Runner Concept, a coupe utility version of the Avalon. The suspension AWD parts were borrowed from the Lexus RX and the rear axle came from the Tarago van. It was intended for production, but Toyota of Australia could not get approval from the parent company.
Safety
Second generation (XX20; 1999)
The second-generation Avalon grew larger in almost every respect, except wheelbase. It was still based on the stretched Camry platform and was powered by a 3.0-liter 1MZ-FE V6 engine equipped with VVT-i, shared with the Toyota Camry, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Sienna, and the Lexus ES300, making and . of torque and paired to a 4-speed automatic. The coefficient of drag had been reduced to .
This Avalon was available in two trims: the basic XL and the upscale XLS. Standard features include electroluminescent Optitron gauges, 4-wheel disc ABS, front torso side airbags and 15" alloy wheels. Optional were a JBL audio system, Vehicle Stability Control, and a front row bench seat, allowing up to six passengers—a characteristic of large sized cars. However, the front center seat is a tight fit for an adult passenger. Dual climate control, larger 16" wheels, and driver's and passenger's power seats were also available.
This second-generation Avalon also featured a built-in 115 V AC power inverter, the first car with such a feature. This was dropped in the third-generation Avalon; yet, the Toyota Highlander, Matrix, Sienna, and Scion models now offer such an inverter.
The Avalon received a mid-cycle facelift for the 2003 model year, with a new grille and modified headlights and tail lights. The minor interior changes included an optional navigation system, woodgrain-style trimmed steering wheel for the XLS, slightly modified gauges, and a chrome emblem steering wheel added onto the XL (once only standard for the XLS).
The second-generation Avalon was also exported to the Japanese market as the , derived from the French word "prôner" for "extol", "commend", or "praise", between 2000 and 2004, replacing the first-generation sold as the Avalon. The Japanese Toyota Pronard was reassigned from Toyopet Store and was now exclusive to the former Vista Store network as Toyota Netz locations, slotted between the larger Toyota Aristo and smaller Verossa and Altezza. Some of the optional equipment installed in the Pronard, to enhance its luxury, was the TEMS ride control technology. Due to poor sales, Toyota did not export the third-generation Avalon to Japan; thus, the Toyota Pronard has been discontinued.
In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) frontal crash test the Avalon received a "Good" overall score with the "Good" in all six measured categories.
Unlike the first-generation model, there was no Australian production or sales of this or later models.
Third generation (XX30; 2004)
The Avalon underwent a redesign for 2005, and was unveiled to the public at the January 2005 North American International Auto Show. It went on sale in February 2005. Toyota reportedly cut the Avalon's production development time down from 29.5 months to 18 months. The third generation Avalon was not sold in Europe or Japan.
The third generation Avalon was larger than previous versions, with Calty styling and ; the Avalon also became the first Toyota to use a single piece wiper blade design. The redesign dropped the front bench seat option, a feature once common among large American sedans such as Buicks and Cadillacs, and featured a semi-flat rear floor to help increase rear passenger comfort.
The Avalon was the first Toyota to use Dual VVT-i in the US market in an all-new 3.5-liter 2GR-FE V6 engine which met ULEV certification and had a power output of with a 0–60 time of 6.0 seconds. The engine was mated to a 5-speed sequential shift automatic. Due to changes in the SAE's testing procedures, power dropped to and torque dropped to for the 2006 model year. Actual power output did not change.
The Avalon came in four trims: the standard (base) XL, Touring, XLS, and Limited. The XL model included 16" alloy wheels, while other trims came with larger 17" wheels. Performance-oriented tires were fitted to the Touring and Limited trims.
The XL included dual-climate automatic temperature controls and steering wheel-mounted audio and climate controls. The Touring trim offered faux aluminum and all-black leather interior, a sport-tuned suspension, unique powder-coated gray wheels, and a trunk lip-mounted spoiler. The XLS introduced standard cargo nets, six-disc CD changer, a power sliding-glass moonroof, electrochromic auto dimming rear-view and driver's side-view mirrors, four-way passenger power seat and a HomeLink transceiver. The high-end Limited trim offered air-ventilated seats with a power driver's seat cushion length adjuster, Toyota's Smart Key System with keyless push-button start and entry, a quieter acoustic windshield, rain-sensing windshield wipers, an upgraded 12-speaker JBL audio system, "in-glass" LED turn signals on the side mirrors and a wood-trimmed steering wheel and shift gear lever. A navigation system was optional for every trim level other than the XL version. The Avalon had a flat rear floor design and reclining rear seats. Vehicle Stability Control was optional on all trim levels. Other options included a keyless Remote Engine Start, glass breakage sensor, rear window power sunshade and, on Limited models, a Dynamic Laser Cruise Control system. HID lighting with auto-leveling was standard on Touring and Limited grades.
On 5 December 2011, Toyota announced that Toyota Avalons assembled in the US would be exported to South Korea and shipped from Port of Hueneme in Oxnard, California.
Yearly changes