The 2013 Toyota Avalon, Toyota's flagship sedan, has been completely redesigned for 2013. We were excited to spend a whole week with this impressive vehicle. Measuring 4960mm, the Avalon comfortably fits into the large premium sedan category, offering more room than a crammed studio in Deira. The 2013 Avalon features an oversized hexagonal-shaped grille reminiscent of those found on the Ford Taurus or Toyota 86. However, it was disappointing to find that the Avalon came equipped with only 17" wheels, which seem too small for such a large sedan. While our test car boasted beautiful daytime running lights integrated into the headlamps, the visual appeal of the 2012 Avalon remains superior.

Interior

2013 Toyota Avalon Interior

The interior of the Avalon is a different story. It is evident that Toyota's interior designers have moved away from the Camry's design, opting for something far more premium, possibly inspired by Lexus. The significantly improved interior features:

Ample chrome accents
Plenty of wood trim
Luxurious leather upholstery

The seats not only look good but are also incredibly comfortable, with brilliant seat coolers and warmers as an added bonus. The driver benefits from a 10-way power adjustable seat with memory function, while the passenger seat offers an 8-way power adjustable option. It is commendable that all trim levels come with 10 airbags as standard, demonstrating Toyota’s commitment to safety regardless of the model tier.

Toyota has truly been innovative with the Avalon. The stunning center console is equipped with numerous capacitive touch switches for operating the A/C and multimedia system. Although the lack of physical buttons may feel strange initially, I grew fond of the new capacitive buttons over time. Additionally, the Avalon features a mood lighting system that illuminates the cup holders and door armrests, enhancing the vehicle's elegance. With just a touch of a button, the 11-speaker JBL sound system sets the perfect ambiance for cruising.

However, the Avalon is not without its downsides. Some less favorable aspects include:

A flimsy plastic side step that raised durability concerns
Chrome strips around the speedometer reflecting sunlight into the driver’s eyes
The absence of a CD player and manual steering adjustment

Drive

The Avalon is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers 273 horsepower and 346 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in under 7 seconds—an impressive feat for a sedan. Drivers can choose between Eco, Normal, or Sport driving modes, although only the steering is affected by these selections. Despite having fewer horses compared to its rival, the Nissan Maxima, the Avalon felt more responsive, making for a more enjoyable driving experience.

Thanks to its dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing - intelligent) system, the Avalon manages to be quite fuel-efficient, achieving a consumption rate of 11 liters per 100 km in varied driving conditions. With MacPherson strut suspension on both the front and rear, the driving experience is incredibly smooth, making it feel like a premium sedan.

Nevertheless, there were some shortcomings in the driving experience:

Higher-than-expected wind noise for a premium luxury sedan
Distracting front bumper sensors that often malfunctioned
Inconsistent traction control that frequently re-engaged even when disabled

Verdict

As we conclude this review, you might be curious about the pricing of the Avalon. Our test car, featuring the SE+ trim, is priced at AED 149,000. While this is AED 20,000 more than the Nissan Maxima, the price feels justified for the features and luxury offered. Some may even consider spending AED 20,000 more for the Lexus ES, but personally, I would prefer to drive a flagship Toyota over a base model Lexus.