Sedan models have taken a heavy hit at the dealerships thanks to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Sales weren’t that great to begin with, and many have predicted the end of sedans. Whether they are completely phased out remains to be seen, and Ford has already taken steps to end its sedan lines. Toyota is still holding strong, though.

While it’s most well known for the Camry and Corolla, there is one forgotten sedan that potential buyers should take a look at. Consumer Reports was highly impressed with the Toyota Avalon, and scored it as number one in the big car division. So what is it about this underrated car that got Consumer Reports attention?

Toyota has more than the Camry and Corolla sedan lineup

Even though the Camry and Corolla get all the love from Toyota, the Japanese automaker actually makes six sedan models. These include the Yaris, the Avalon, the Mirai, the Corolla, the Prius, and the Camry. Most people wouldn’t know this, however, unless they own one of these, or know someone who does.

For whatever reason, Toyota simply doesn’t spend that much time or money advertising for the Mirai, Avalon, Yaris, and the Prius. They all get good reviews, so it’s unclear as to why they don’t get some much-needed love as well.

If you check out Instagram and Twitter, it’s hard to even find a post about the Avalon, and forget about seeing anything concerning the Mirai and Yaris. In spite of this, the Avalon really stands out from the pack in more ways than one, and here’s why.

There’s more to the Toyota Avalon than meets the eye

The Toyota Avalon may not get much screen time from Toyota, but it’s gotten the attention of Consumer Reports. It got a much-needed redesign in 2019, and review sites are in love. Consumer Reports stated,

“It didn’t take us long to appreciate the plush ride and newfound agility. The new Avalon takes sharp turns more eagerly than the stodgy previous-generation sedan.”

The gas version comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. Driving around windy roads is now a pleasure as the Avalon hugs the curves. The ride inside is smooth and quiet, so passengers don’t feel like they need to hang on for dear life. This is in large part why the Toyota Avalon is considered one of the best sedans for road trips. 

The interior is nice enough to be mistaken for a luxury sedan, and in fact, some even think the Toyota Avalon is superior to the Lexus ES. Even though Lexus is technically Toyota’s luxury brand, there is some in-house competition. In this case, the Avalon came out on top thanks to its lower price, bigger touch screen that comes standard, and Amazon Alexa. 

The Toyota Avalon also comes with tons of standard safety equipment. This includes forward-collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot warning (BSW), and rear cross-traffic warning (RCTW). 

Toyota is also really stepping up its game by offering all-wheel drive on the Avalon. This won’t be available until the fall, so if you’re interested in this version, you’ll have to wait a few more months.

The Toyota Avalon Hybrid might be even better than the gas version

Consumer Reports isn’t the only review site taking note of the Avalon Hybrid. U.S. News thinks that the 2020 Avalon Hybrid is the best hybrid version for families. It has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that gets 42 mpg. This helps growing families save money at the pumps.

There’s not much of a price difference between the gas and hybrid versions. The gas version starts at $35,875 and tops out at $43,300. The hybrid version starts at $37,000. For owners who want a luxury car on a budget, the Avalon is it.

The one downside to the Avalon that brought its score down is the fact that it’s difficult to get in and out of. It sits low to the ground, so passengers have to sink down low to get in and haul themselves up when getting out. For passengers who have back or knee troubles, this might be a deal-breaker.