| Toyota's flagship sedan, the full-size Avalon, | | | | engine turns a relaxed 2100 rpm, its VVT-i |
| carries over into 2010 relatively unchanged from | | | | system adjusting the valve timing for maximum |
| 2009, which is just fine because it delivers exactly | | | | torque and efficiency. And when booting it to skirt |
| as a full-size sedan should ' in performance under | | | | around a lumbering truck, the power build was so |
| the hood, smoothness of ride, a comfortable | | | | seamless as to be barely detectable, unlike on |
| interior, and plenty of trunk space. Even better, it | | | | some other competitors' variable valve-timing |
| does all this without sacrificing fuel-economy and | | | | systems. In fact, the Avalon's robust |
| your monthly budget. | | | | performance, low engine NVH, and passable fuel |
| Base-priced at $27,945 for the entry-level Avalon | | | | economy (we observed 25.3 mpg) make its |
| XL and $35,285 for the top-end Avalon Limited | | | | powertrain a genuine standout. |
| tested here, Toyota's flagship sedan is so | | | | Quietly efficient was the Avalon's six-speed |
| competent, it's more than qualified to cannibalize | | | | automatic transmission. Operating just about as |
| sales of the ES 350 in the company's upscale | | | | smoothly as a CVT, the transmission truly has a |
| Lexus division. The Avalon features a 111-inch | | | | gear for every need, and its shift algorithms are |
| wheelbase (1.7 inches longer than cousin Camry), | | | | right on target. As well, a Sequential Shift feature |
| a potent 268-horsepower 3.5-liter dual VVT-i | | | | allows manual shifting for added control on winding |
| 24-valve V6, and enough electronic | | | | roads, hills -- or just for fun. |
| advancements to satisfy premium buyers. The | | | | Additional premium features include a Smart Key |
| only place it misses true bliss is in interior | | | | system that replaces the traditional ignition key |
| quietness, which is compromised by wind noise at | | | | with a transponder that doubles as a remote door |
| higher cruising speeds and by tire noise over | | | | lock/unlock fob. As a result, one never needs to |
| rough surfaces. | | | | physically operate the fob to unlock the car or |
| The Avalon is impressive design-wise, especially in | | | | start the engine - the driver's door unlocks when |
| profile where its arched roofline and high beltline, | | | | you approach it, and simply pressing the Start |
| and wheels pushed toward the corners, suggest | | | | button on the instrument panel (while applying the |
| Lexus and even Mercedes-Benz sedans. However | | | | brakes) gets you going. Additional useful safety |
| the interior is distinctly muted in contrast to the | | | | and convenience functions include crisp HID |
| rich-appearing finishing touches of luxury cars. | | | | headlights with auto-leveling, rain-sensing wipers, |
| Doubtlessly this is to keep the Toyota's price in | | | | and a power rear sunshade. |
| check, and to keep it from challenging Lexus too | | | | While these features have been in the industry |
| strongly. | | | | for some time, the Avalon Limited boasts one |
| A primary benefit of the Avalon's stretched | | | | newer technology in its dynamic laser cruise |
| wheelbase is expanded rear legroom: At 40.9 | | | | control (a $600 option), which uses a laser and |
| inches, it's 2.6 inches more than the Camry and | | | | special computer programming to keep pace with |
| within millimeters of the $80,300 BMW 750i. The | | | | the vehicle ahead. Say you're booking along at 75 |
| front seats are quite comfortable and feature | | | | in the fast lane on dynamic laser cruise. As you |
| eight-way power adjustments with | | | | gradually close on a slower vehicle, the system |
| power-adjustable lumbar support, a driver's seat | | | | automatically reduces engine output to keep a |
| cushion extension, and front-seat ventilation and | | | | safe following distance (a very long one at that) |
| heating. A couple of minor ergonomic complaints: | | | | then resumes your previous pace when the other |
| The driver's knee airbag panel and the corner of | | | | vehicle changes lanes or speeds up. So what if |
| the navigation-system door contacted our | | | | someone suddenly cuts in front of you? The |
| (admittedly lanky) knees in normal driving. | | | | system goes into save-your-bacon mode, |
| We put our bags into the Avalon's enormous 15 | | | | reducing engine power, applying the brakes, and |
| cubic-foot trunk and headed from Los Angeles to | | | | sounding an attention-grabbing beeper. |
| Monterey, Calif. for the annual summer Pebble | | | | Fifty years ago, American cars almost promised |
| Beach Concours d'Elegance and collector-car | | | | us interstellar adventure with their space-age |
| auctions. Running a bit behind schedule at first, | | | | tailfins, V8 power and flashy interiors. The 2010 |
| Toyota's navigation system (a $2,000 option | | | | Avalon Limited has none of these, but with |
| that also includes a JBL sound system) | | | | features like GPS navigation and dynamic laser |
| worked reassuringly behind the scenes to guide us | | | | cruise control, it's actually a whole lot closer to |
| along with the quickest route while providing | | | | delivering just that. |
| estimated travel time. At 70 mph the Avalon's | | | | |