Toyota makes a wide variety of excellent cars, both big and small. If you need a midsize sedan that’s good on gas and comes preloaded with lots of technology, get a Camry. The Toyota Camry is also famously reliable, so a used model is an excellent bang for your buck. Another good vehicle in Toyota’s lineup is the Avalon.

While it’s very similar to the Camry in terms of ride quality and standard features, it’s unmistakably larger. Since both cars have so much in common, which one is the better vehicle overall – the Camry or the Avalon?

About the Toyota Avalon

The Toyota Avalon definitely isn’t the most well-known model in Toyota’s roster. According to Good Car Bad Car, last year, it only sold about 28,000 units, while the Camry sold almost 337,000 units. Despite the fact that it seems to get less popular each year, the Avalon is still a great car overall.

This car has one engine on tap, a 3.5-liter V6 capable of 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with front-wheel drive and a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. Critics found that it’s a perfect car to drive both around town and on the highway.

It’s also very comfortable over rough pavement thanks to its fine-tuned suspension. The seats are made with either synthetic or genuine leather depending on which trim you choose. Both children and adults should have no problems stretching their limbs in either row of the Avalon.

The Toyota Avalon also comes with a nice selection of infotainment options, including Bluetooth, an eight-speaker stereo system, and many USB ports. While Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay are also standard, Android Auto is notably absent. It also comes with a large safety suite that includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and many other driver-assist aids.

About the Toyota Camry

The Camry offers drivers a choice between two engines, the more powerful of which is the same one inside the Toyota Avalon. The weaker base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder capable of up to 203 hp. Even though it’s not as fast, it’s still quick on the road and slightly more efficient than the V6 option.

Like the Avalon, the Camry also comes preloaded with plenty of fun tech features. It comes with smartphone integration, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. For 2020, Android Auto compatibility was also added to the Camry’s standard equipment. It also has the same useful safety suite found inside the Toyota Avalon.

Even though it’s smaller than the Avalon, it’s still big enough for passengers of all sizes to stretch their limbs. However, the headroom in the second row is notably more restrictive in the backseat, and it doesn’t have as much trunk space. Some critics also reported that cabin occupants may hear some road noise.

Despite these flaws, U.S. News reports that it’s still the best midsize car for families to buy. In addition to its adequate interior dimensions, it has best-in-class safety ratings.

Which car is right for you?

Both the Toyota Avalon and Toyota Camry are excellent choices for sedan shoppers. Both come with many standard features and score highly in terms of reliability. Both also come with some of the most efficient powertrains in each of their respective vehicle classes.

The only major difference between the two is that the Toyota Avalon is quite a bit more expensive. The base model of the Toyota Camry costs a little over $24,000, while the Avalon costs almost $36,000. A Camry with the V6 engine starts at around $29,000. As U.S. News points out, you may be better off with a Toyota Camry if you’re short on cash.