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2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Driving Impression & Review !!!

Discussion in 'Toyota Hybrids and EVs' started by HAWAIIANBUILT, Jun 26, 2013.

  1. HAWAIIANBUILT

    HAWAIIANBUILT Senior Member

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    Hey there Prius Chat Folks !!!

    :):):):)

    On June 20, 2013 I had the great opportunity to Test Drive the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid !!!

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    Quarterly, I am thankful to have the opportunity to Test Drive various Toyota Hybrid and Electric Vehicles and share them with our Prius Chat Community.

    Many thanks to the great folks at Toyota Motor Sales / Toyota National Headquarters in Torrance, California for their continued support in promoting our passion in Alternative Fuel vehicles !!!

    For more Specific and Technical information regarding the 2013 Avalon Hybrid please visit the Toyota website here :

    Toyota Avalon 2013 | Full-size Cars

    I will be providing my Personal Impression and Pictures here.

    As an owner of the Prius I wanted to Test Drive one of Toyota's latest additions to the Toyota Family of Hybrids. The Toyota Avalon. This is the Flagship Sedan of the Toyota lineup.

    I had taken delivery of the 2013 Avalon Hybrid XLE Version.

    My 3 Day Test Drive Impression would take me from Torrance (CA) int Monterey (CA) into Santa Cruz (CA) into San Francisco (CA) into Pismo Beach (CA) then finally back to Torrance (CA).

    Here are my pictures !!!

    Delivery at Toyota National Headquarters in Torrance, California

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    After driving for just under 6 hours I arrived in Monterey !!!

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    Stayed at the beautiful Hyatt Regency

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    Toured throughout Monterey

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    Then the following morning after a great breakfast ...

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    It was time to continue onward to breathtaking Santa Cruz

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    After the brief stay there it was onward yet again to San Francisco !!!

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    Arrived into The City !!!

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    I wanted to visit Luscious Garage a Hybrid Specialist Service Facility as recently featured on Velocity Channel's Television Show : Motor Week.

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    For more information on Luscious Garage please visit :

    www.LusciousGarage.com

    After spending the remainder of the day in San Francisco it was time to head back to Monterey for the evening.

    The following morning it was time to begin the journey back through Pismo Beach for an appetizing Seafood Lunch.

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    Then onward back to Torrance via Highway 101 aka Historic El Camino Real.

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    Prior to returning the vehicle back to Toyota National Headquarters it was time for a Fill Up and some Pampering !!!

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    Here are my overview pictures of the 2013 Avalon Hybrid XLE

    Exterior

    ** I enjoyed the redesigned exterior. It has clean, sharp lines that make a bold statement. Everything about the design flowed well for me. From the wide front grille to the distinctive side character lines ending with the strong rear tail lights this left a strong impression on me **

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    Engine Compartment

    ** The Engine Compartment was non-cluttered and very well organized. The HSD system was clearly presented and all the essentials were in clear view. From ECO mode to Sport Mode the engine was Quick and Responsive both on and off the freeways. Power was readily available when needed getting on freeways or for a safe lane change. **

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    Interior

    ** I thoroughly appreciated the clear ergonomic layout of the interior dash and many amenities coupled with the rich appointments of the leather and stitched trim. This to me left to me a Lexus Inspired impression. Because of this long drive I enjoyed the heated seats and comfortable legroom **

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    Instrument Panels

    ** The Instrument Panels were easily viewable both during the day and night times. All of features for EV, ECO, and POWER driving modes were precise. I enjoyed many of the benefits including Blue Tooth and Climate Control adjustments. **

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    Luggage Compartment

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    Overall I am Very Pleased with the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid !!!
    With my style of driving and road conditions present, I had averaged a combined City / Highway MPG of 41 mpg. Your individual results may vary.

    For a vehicle of this size it handled real well and I had no trouble with blind spots or visibility. The comfort of the ride was nothing less than smooth and exceptional. Everything about the Avalon Hybrid was enjoyable !!!

    Again, for more Specific & Technical information regarding the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid please visit :

    Toyota Avalon 2013 | Full-size Cars

    Many thanks again to Toyota Motor Sales / Toyota National Headquarters for this great opportunity !!!

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    What's Next ??!! Stay Tuned !!!

    :):):):)

    Rodney
     
    F8L, Tideland Prius and Sergiospl like this.
  2. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    I don't like the center dash material, the brushed aluminum looks cheap, I am expecting better than that for the price.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    we took a look at it. opted for another hycam. but if you like/need a big vehicle for hauling people around (back seat is huge with mucho legroom) or just like the ol' lincoln continental feeling :cool: it's a beautiful car with great mpg's!
     
  4. Electric Charge

    Electric Charge Active Member

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    The car is very nice looking, and turns heads (tired of the gaping grill syndrome tho), but that center dashboard area is awful, and doesn't match the car's nice exterior IMO.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it is beautiful. grille seems ford like. center console bothers me only in that it's huge with very poorly laid out storage space.
     
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    First time I've seen the monochrome climate control settings (all the press photos show the colour climate control with ability to switch to the analogue clock). Thanks for the review! Too bad it's not offered in Canada. We just don't have the sales numbers to make it work I guess...
     
  7. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    My friend has one. I love everything about it except the center dash area. I agree it looks bland and cheap.

    Thanks for the great review, Rodney!
     
  8. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    Hey Rodney, was there anything that you didn't like about the car? The trunk space looks smaller than what I expected, and the center dash has too much real estate. Could've squeezed in a bigger touchscreen.
     
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The 7" LCD is available on the Hybrid Limited model. The XLE Touring model that he has features the 6.1" Display Audio System w/ Nav.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the trunk looked huge in person, but i'm comparing to hycam.
     
  11. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    well for the 6.1", I think they should have implemented some features or bigger control buttons into the dash because it just looks unrefined and not well thought out like a full size sedan made by an American manufacturer usually does.
     
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I suppose. I'm guessing it's cheaper to make the same buttons surrounding it and simply change the real estate depending on screen size. The DA systems on the Lexus look even more out of place, especially if you're used to the higher resolution screens typically found on Lexus vehicles with nav.
     
  13. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    I own one the same color and a touring model. My one gripe is the small size of the trunk opening. I have to juggle my golf clubs around to get them in the car.
     
  14. Timw

    Timw Junior Member

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    I have to admit I miss my 2011 Prius! But I love my 2014 Avalon Hybrid Limited! I love the power also , this hybrid will move!. Now I came from a Geo Metro to a 2001 Corolla then the Prius and the Avalon, so this is the nicest car I have owned. I was looking at the ES300H but decided the buy the Avalon Limited, I loved the interior on the Avalon more then the Lexus
     
    #14 Timw, Jul 3, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2014
    Tideland Prius likes this.
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Too bad the Avalon Hybrid isn't sold in Canada. It's the Camry Hybrid then the ES300h. There's a a bit of a price gap but not too great. The market for fullsize cars in Canada is small. We like our compact cars :)
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    and trucks!:cool:
     
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Minivans actually. The best selling vehicle in Canada is the Dodge Caravan (can't say I'm surprised. A Canada Value Edition starts in the low $20,000s). The best selling car is the Civic built in Alliston, ON.
     
  18. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    I bought the Avalon Hybrid XLE Touring. There is nothing about this car that I do not like. I like it better than any car I have owned. I also looked at and test drove the Lexus ES300H and to my opinion it would not compare to my Avalon.
     
  19. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    I bought a 2014 Avalon Hybrid Limited. Love, love, love the car. Kept my 2008 Touring Prius - so now we are a two hybrid family.