2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
The 2016 Toyota Avalon
Hybrid is a smooth operator
Prices: $38,100-$41,950
You wouldn't be too far off if you called the 2016 Avalon Hybrid a
Lexus in disguise. That's because it shares major components with the
ES sedan from Toyota's upscale Lexus brand.
The 2016 Avalon, which also comes with a conventional gas engine, has
new frontal styling. There's also a new Touring version with a sportier
look, new sport suspension tuning and dark gray painted
18-inch alloy wheels. However, it isn't offered for the Avalon Hybrid
because that model isn't meant to be a sports sedan.
The Avalon long has been Toyota's largest car, although it's now
generally classified as a midsize sedan. The Avalon Hybrid has a
111-inch wheelbase and weighs 3,594-3,638 pounds. It's the only hybrid
in its market segment.
No matter what the official size classification, the Avalon Hybrid has
plenty of room up front and its spacious backseat area lets two or
three adults stretch out.
While the Avalon Hybrid's hybrid system design doesn't allow folding
rear seatbacks to gain more cargo room, the trunk is large and has a
low opening for quick loading or unloading.
Large door handles and wide door openings make it easy to slide in or
out of the lush-life interior, and the front seats are especially
supportive. There are a good number of cabin storage areas, including a
deep console storage bin and large door pockets.
The Optitron gauges can be quickly read in sunlight, and controls are
easy to use without hardly taking a driver's eyes from the road.
Steering has the right amount of quickness, and my Avalon Hybrid test
car's handling was quite good. The ride was comfortable, and braking
inspired confidence, with nice pedal feel.
There are three Avalon Hybrid models ranging in price from $36,650 for
the base XLE Plus to $41,950 for the top-line Limited, which I tested.
In between is the $38,100 XLE Premium model.
Even the base Avalon Hybrid has dual-zone automatic climate control,
power, tilt/slide sunroof, InteliTouch controls for climate control and
audio system, cruise control, leather-trimmed and heated power front
seats, pushbutton start, wood-grain style interior trim,
tilt/telescopic wheel, multi-information display and Blluetooth
hands-free phone controls.
Standard safety features include vehicle stability control, traction
control, electronic brake-force distribution and Smart Stop technology.
There also are ten air bags.
Higher-line models have a Blind Spot Monitor that detects vehicles in
an adjacent lane, while Rear Cross Traffic Alert detects low-speed
cross traffic behind the car when in reverse. Dynamic Radar Cruise
Control helps control speed and keeps a pre-set distance from a vehicle
traveling directly ahead. An available Pre-Collision system helps
mitigate the effects of front vehicle impacts.
The Avalon Hybrid provides estimated fuel economy of 40 miles per
gallon in the city and 39 m.p.g. on the highway. Combined economy is 40
m.p.g. Only 87-octane fuel is needed , although Toyota notes that a
higher-octane fuel can be used. .
Slick aerodynamic styling and a low .28 drag coefficient help provide
improved fuel economy and quiet highway cruising.
In fact, this Toyota is quiet at all speeds, which contributes to its
luxury car personality.
Power comes from Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system, which combines
output from a sophisticated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a
high-torque electric motor.The system delivers a combined 200
horsepower.
The system varies power seamlessly between the gas engine and electric
motor, or combines both, as needed, channeling torque through a
planetary gear-type continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The CVT has a responsive manual-shift feature, but the transmission is
so responsive that I hardly used the manual feature
The Avalon Hybrid can be driven short distances only on the electric
motor at speeds under approximately 20 m.p.h. Power steering and air
conditioning systems are electrically driven and continue working when
the car is operating under electric power alone, or when the auto
start/stop system shuts off the gas engine.
Augmenting the conventional anti-lock brake system, regenerative
braking produced by the electric motor/generator in the car's transaxle
grabs the kinetic energy of the wheels, storing it in the hybrid
battery. The compact nickel-metal-hydride battery in the trunk area
allows a noteworthy 14 cubic feet of trunk space.
I've driven a number of electric-assisted hybrids, and it still felt a
bit strange when I began noiselessly accelerating with the Avalon
Hybrid. The gas-electric operation was seamless when I topped 20
m.p.h.--almost making me forget this was a hybrid.
The Avalon Hybrid is an attractive upscale sedan with the type of fuel
economy once provided by small, unrefined economy cars.
