Toyota Avalon: Does the Doomed Sedan Offer AWD?
The Toyota Avalon offers affordable luxury at a price point that flies below the Lexus badge. Moreover, some of the Toyota model’s recent model years offered hybrid trims for potential owners who want commendable fuel economy. Still, does the Avalon round out its offerings with an optional all-wheel drive (AWD)?
Which Toyota Avalon has AWD?
The Toyota Avalon XLE and Limited trims have optional AWD. That’s good news for fans who want the added grip of sending power to all four tires.
Moreover, the Avalon XLE is the entry-level trim, meaning it’s the most affordable option in the model’s lineup. Also, the Avalon Limited trim offers the AWD option for fans who want a posher AWD alternative to more expensive rivals. Unfortunately for potential owners who want the larger 301-horsepower 3.5L V6 engine like in the Avalon TRD, the grippy option isn’t available.
What year of Avalon has AWD?
The all-wheel drive (AWD) option for the Toyota Avalon is limited to the 2021 model year. In 2022, Toyota discontinued the option along with the performance-oriented TRD trim.
Before the 2021 model year, the Avalon was strictly front-wheel drive (FWD). Still, for potential owners who want an Avalon with power sent to all four tires, there’s the used car market. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) says a 2021 Toyota Avalon XLE has a fair purchase price of around $34,881. Moreover, the more luxurious Limited trim has a fair value of about $40,797.
Is the Toyota Avalon good in snow?
The Toyota Avalon is good in moderate amounts of snow, rain, and other inclement weather. Of course, the 2021 Avalon XLE and Limited AWD will handle slippery conditions better than the standard FWD platforms.
Still, winter or studded tires will help an Avalon handle more challenging amounts of ice and snow. That said, the FWD Toyota model will fair better than rear-wheel drive (RWD) competitors like the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger.
Is Toyota Avalon a luxury car?
In addition to offering optional AWD for a couple of trims in the 2021 model year, the Toyota Avalon is an affordable luxury car. TrueCar says the Toyota model has a spacious and comfortable interior with seating for five. Also, the higher trims of the 2021 and 2022 model years feature nicer materials like suede and wood accents.
Moreover, TrueCar says the Toyota model has a more refined cabin than a comparable Dodge Charger and more space than the Nissan Maxima. Also, both competitors neglect to offer a hybrid model.
Is Toyota Avalon better than Lexus ES 350?
The Lexus ES 350 might wear a more premium badge than the Avalon, but it is an affordable alternative. In terms of price and versatility, the Toyota Avalon is better than the ES 350.
Both cars pack the 3.5L V6 as standard equipment, but the Avalon offers multiple engine options across its trim lineup. Instead, the ES 350 packs the 3.5L mill exclusively; shoppers must opt for a Lexus 300h to gain hybrid fuel economy in their comparable Lexus.
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