2013 Toyota Avalon [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Toyota, First Drives, Luxury

A Case Study In Judging A Book By Its Cover

Toyota has turned over something of a new leaf with its 2013 Avalon. For the last few decades, Japan's largest automaker has shown a face that could best be described as practical, reliable and a bit dull - the same side of the leaf that's been staring consumers in the face with products like the 2013 Camry and Corolla. Popular nameplates, no doubt, but since Toyota's history is filled with such stylish, sporty and iconic models as the 2000GT, MR2, rear-wheel-drive AE86 Corolla and, of course, the late, great Supra that we last saw in 2002, ardent followers of the brand have had little to feel excited about.

With such a checkered past, it's no surprise that company CEO Akio Toyoda has called upon his employees to once again design and build cars with a sense of passion. The 2013 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid - Toyota's flagship models in the ultra-important United States market - are the first new vehicles, Toyota says, to come from that rekindled bucket of excitement. We should note that this notion has raised an eyebrow or three, considering how much excitement surrounds the Toyota GT86 (Scion FR-S in the States).

If nothing else, we can say with certainty that the car's appearance is a dramatic departure from the dour Avalon sedans of days passed. It really is a strikingly attractive car inside and out, but, as has been said time and time again, you can't judge a book by its cover. And so it was with legitimate interest that we fired up the completely redesigned Avalon and Avalon Hybrid for a day-long spin through California's lovely Napa Valley region.

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2013 Toyota Avalon [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Avalon gets 40-MPG hybrid model for 2013

Chris Paukert — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Toyota, Design/Style

Given that the 2013 Avalon shares a platform with the new Lexus ES, this news should come as no surprise: Toyota's largest sedan is getting its own hybrid variant for the first time ever. Judging by these first photos, carspotters will have to squint hard to tell that they're looking at a hybrid, as there are only a few small badges and blue-tinted lenses as a tip-off to this vehicle's gas-electric motivation.

As with its luxury-minded sibling, the Avalon Hybrid will arrive under the spell of a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four paired with a duo of electric motors juiced by a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Total system power is stated at 200 horsepower, but the meatier number is an EPA fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon city and 39 highway.

Also like its Lexus relation, Toyota is touting a trio of operation modes that includes pure EV (only good for one mile at speeds up to 25 mph), Eco, and Sport, the latter of which tweaks both steering weight and throttle response.

Toyota hasn't released any dynamic performance figures or pricing information, but the new Avalon Hybrid will be in dealers this fall, where it will square off against the Buick LaCrosse eAssist and soon-to-be-replaced Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.

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Toyota Avalon gets 40-MPG hybrid model for 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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