Looking for a large sedan? The Toyota Avalon Hybrid gets redesigned for 2019 and does a lot of things well. It boasts a smooth ride, upscale and roomy interior and excellent fuel economy. Although it has one of the higher starting prices in the class, it offers good value for the money.
The five-passenger Avalon Hybrid is available in three trims: XLE, XSE and Limited. Starting prices range from $36,500 to $42,800.
For 2019, the Avalon Hybrid gets a bit more power and slightly higher fuel efficiency ratings. And the battery pack is now located under the rear seat instead of the trunk so there’s a little more trunk space. Toyota has also added a surround-view camera, head-up display, larger touch screen, and rear cross traffic braking.
And the 2019 Avalon Hybrid and its gas-powered sibling become the first Toyota vehicles to offer Apple CarPlay. Hey, Toyota, it’s about time! But when are you going to also offer Android Auto?
The Avalon Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors. Total output is 215 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable transmission is standard. The Hybrid doesn’t have as many horses as its gas-powered sibling, which has 301, so it doesn’t feel as quick. It performs just fine in most driving situations, but you may wish for more power when accelerating on the freeway, especially going uphill. You can tweak driving dynamics with EV, Eco, Normal and Sport settings. All in all, the Avalon Hybrid delivers a smooth and pleasant ride.
No other large sedan can beat the 2019 Avalon Hybrid when it comes to fuel efficiency. EPA ratings for my tester are 43 mpg city and 43 mpg highway for a combined rating of 43. I got 40 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The airy interior of my top-of-the-line touring trim is luxurious and rivals what you’d find in Toyota’s upscale brand, Lexus. Materials are high quality and many are soft-touch. There’s a ton of room. The Avalon Hybrid comfortably seats five passengers who will enjoy supportive seats and plenty of leg- and headroom in both rows of seating.
Standard features in the Avalon Hybrid include push-button start, rearview camera, leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, five USB ports, Wi-Fi hot spot, eight-speaker audio system, HD Radio, satellite radio, and the Entune infotainment system with a nine-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, and Siri Eyes Free. Standard driver assistance technologies include blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and the Toyota Safety Sense P suite of features, which includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, auto high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control.
Toyota’s Entune infotainment system is pretty straight forward once you spend a few minutes with it. It can be a bit slow to respond to touch and voice commands.
Available features include surround-view camera, leatherette and suede upholstery, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, head-up display, moonroof, navigation, wireless device charging, 14-speaker JBL audio system, front and rear parking sensors, and rear cross traffic braking.
The Avalon Hybrid has the same trunk space as the gas-powered Avalon at just over 16 cubic feet, since the battery is now located under the rear seats instead of the trunk. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats provide flexibility in hauling large items.
The good:
Upscale interior and roomy interior
Smooth ride
Excellent fuel efficiency for the class
Lots of standard and available driver safety technology
Same trunk space as gas-powered Avalon
Avalon and Avalon Hybrid are the first Toyotas to have Apple CarPlay (but no Android Auto)
The not-so-good:
Relatively high starting price
Engine could use more power at times
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $42,800. Advanced Safety Package is $1,150 and adds Intelligent Clearance Sonar, bird’s eye view camera with perimeter scan and rear cross-traffic alert with braking. Delivery fee is $920 bringing the grand total to $44,870.
Bottom line:
The 2019 Avalon Hybrid provides a comfortable and smooth ride, a roomy and upscale interior, lots of tech and safety features, and excellent fuel economy, making it a good option for shoppers wanting a large car.
