The big sedan is a dying breed but the flagship sedan at Toyota still has a lot to offer its long-standing fan base. The 2021 Toyota Avalon has the elegant demeanor sedan fans require. Yet, it also offers excitement and great versatility with a wide selection of trim levels. The latest Avalon also has a dynamite hybrid model. We have all the details on the Toyota Avalon Hybrid that has a lot to offer.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota Avalon is a sedan with a lot of great models to offer. And according to Edmunds, the hybrid is the best model. 

While some may be critical of its sedate vibe, Edmunds pointed out that most would approve of its spacious, upscale interior. In that regard, it meets expectations. But it exceeds expectations in getting an EPA-estimated 44 mpg which is double the fuel efficiency of the Avalon 10 years ago.

Not much has changed since this generation of Avalon debuted in 2019. There’s new and improved tech now with Android Auto and USB-C ports for charging so you can stay connected. Edmunds says there’s a new lithium-ion battery to replace the nickel-hydride battery pack used before. It doesn’t, however, change the sedan’s fuel-economy or power.

Good reviews for the Toyota Avalon Hybrid

Edmunds appreciated the interior of the Toyota Avalon Hybrid explaining the materials used were even a step above what you’d find in Toyota Camry. The extra touches make it memorable. The quilted stitching on the doors and seats, for example, gives the cabin an entirely upscale vibe.

The hybrid truly is more upscale than your average midsize sedan. Edmunds favored the Limited models of the hybrid for its premium features like genuine wood and leather. And as they pointed out, the Avalon Hybrid Limited costs less than $1,000 more than the regular Avalon Limited models.

U.S. News also liked the premium interior of the Avalon with lots of passenger space in both rows and more cargo space than its peers. They explain that even the colors selected for the cabin have an upscale appeal. 

The team at U.S. News appreciated that the Avalon Hybrid offers both fuel efficiency and adequate power for its size. 

Pros and cons

The 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid does have a few cons.

The U.S. News team points out that while it’s a hybrid, its fuel economy numbers aren’t as high as other hybrids and electric cars. They also found the infotainment system a little slow to respond. Edmunds thought it could use a little more headroom in the front and back.

And the pros? The U.S. News team liked the Avalon Hybrid’s performance. The car has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors for a combined output of 215 hp. 

The standard transmission is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The combination they say provides enough power to make most happy. It has front-wheel drive as standard.

They also enjoyed the comfortable ride it offers, even without the smoothest roads. They liked the selection of driving modes that allow you to select EV, Eco, Normal, and Sport.

The Edmunds team liked the impressive list of standard active safety features.  All 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid models come with collision mitigation with pedestrian detection to minimize collisions or avoid them entirely. It also has lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts to alert you if someone is behind you if you’re changing lanes or backing up.

When it comes to selecting an electric or hybrid car, you can’t go wrong with the 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid. The interior has an upscale vibe, it offers a comfortable ride with good power, and it has a lot of good safety features.