For those who aren’t so much into racing, but would like to get a vehicle with at least 300 hp, the Toyota Avalon is one way you can get that. With 301 hp under its hood, you’ll have plenty of power to zip around town. 

Most people wouldn’t think of the Avalon when it comes to having a large amount of horsepower. But Automobile Magazine placed it on their list of the cheapest cars you can get with at least 300 hp. The Avalon is one of them. 

What does the Toyota Avalon have to offer?

The Toyota Avalon XLE has a 3.5-liter V6 engine that puts out 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. Paired with it is an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s not a muscle car by any stretch, but it still offers a comfortable ride in a roomy and quiet cabin. 

This sedan appeals to, what Automobile Magazine calls, “middle-aged non-enthusiasts.” So, it’s odd to see the Avalon on the list of cheapest 300-hp cars. 

It landed on the list because it offers 300 hp. Not every vehicle on there is a sporty or muscle car. Some wow car enthusiasts simply because it’s a decent car that has plenty of power for a cheaper price tag. 

For a 0 to 60 mph run, the Avalon clocked in at 6.1 seconds, which is actually pretty good for a non-sporty car. Plus, it offers 31 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg combined. It seems Toyota may be trying to steer away from the middle-aged crowd and find a niche with younger groups. 

Overview of the Toyota Avalon

According to Edmunds the Avalon is a five-passenger, four-door sedan that comes with front-wheel drive. It’s now longer, wider, and even lower than some of the older models from when it was first produced. 

It comes with LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, faux-leather upholstery, and Keyless entry with a keyless start. You’ll also get a 9-inch display screen, eight-speaker audio system, and Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of features. 

As a part of your infotainment system, you will get Apple CarPlay and Amazon’s Alexa apps. But Android Auto will not be available. Other trims available are the Limited, XSE, TRD, and Touring. Plus, it has a hybrid model. 

The Limited model comes with a sunroof, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and 14-speaker JBL audio system. For the XSE model, you will get black exterior accents, 19-inch wheels, paddle shifters, and a sport-tuned suspension. The Touring trim has everything the Limited and XSE have but adds active noise cancellation as well as an adaptive suspension.  Then there’s the TRD trim.

Does the TRD trim offer a sportier ride?

What the Toyota Avalon TRD trim offers is a more sporty look. It’s the most aggressive designing Toyota has given the Avalon yet. Every detail, including the red seatbelts, screams sports car.

However, that’s pretty much where it stops. The Avalon fails to perform much like a sports car, as its TRD name would have you believe.  

It continues to offer the same 3.5-liter V6 engine that all other trims come with. Toyota did no tweaking to get more hp out of it, it still only puts out the same 301 hp as the non-TRD trim levels do. 

So, what’s so special about it? It’s an average sedan, but not too many vehicles of this size can say they offer 300 hp at a rather inexpensive price. The Avalon managed it with a price tag of $36,870 for the XLE or base model. The TRD trim is about $7,000 more. 

The 2020 Toyota Avalon packs some power in a large family sedan. While the 301 hp may be great for shopping trips, it’s still an affordable price that gets you the power you want without breaking the bank.