2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Full Test Review

The Avalon sounds like a very appealing car in it's class. If I were looking for a car in it's size class I would seriously consider the new one. Unfortunately names stick and most buyers can't see beyond the name and the Avalon name has become synonymous with Japanese Buick, Or Asian Gramp Marquis. I hope they are able to get past that.

 

The bin lid/ phone tray is clever.

Are there compatible phones already on the market? Chrysler has a wireless charger available for the Dart that uses special phone cases as an intermediary between the inductive field and the phone.
Dodge Dart Cell Phone Charging Pad (Part No: 82213216): AllMoparParts.com

 

yes, about 40 phones and 100 devices total.... Lumia 920 from Nokia and Nexus 4 from LG are standouts.

Pretty big in Japan too... i think it will explode next year in US as well, with Windows and Android phones.

 

The earliest demographics of Prius buyers are very often, older, upper, middle class. Although CNW Marketing tried a spectacularly failed claim about lifetime costs, their demographic description rang true as verified by polls in hybrid vehicle forums. To the extent that the Avalon is Toyota's 'Buick', the hybrid Avalon is likely to further dilute the pool of hybrid buyers. But the plateau of hybrids, ~3%, remains a problem.

As part of the 3%, we didn't have many choices in 2009. Toyota had one fuel efficient Prius, a comfort SUV and Camry sedan. Ford had a couple of hybrids and that was pretty much it. We sold our 'gas guzzler', compact, Toyota Echo and replaced it with a much more functional, full-size Prius.

Choices have improved:

• Plug-in - Prius PHEV, Volt, Leaf, others
• 50 MPG - Prius hatchback and Prius c
• 40 MPG - Prius v, Ford CMAX, Camry, Avalon, Focus sedans

The problem is finding buyers whose evaluation of operational costs mitigates the higher capital cost. Road-warriors already knew this but our co-workers often don't.

Bob Wilson

 

there is no such thing as plateau of hybrids at 3%.

 

The dashboard reports are showing:

Source: November 2012 Dashboard - HybridCars.com

This is with the boost from Ford's new models.

Bob Wilson

 

the plateau is caused by artificially low gas prices.

 

I would have said the same thing last week. My wife and I went shopping for a 2013 ES last weekend. We ended up buying the Hybrid Avalon instead. The ES just did not impress us. With the Hybrid Avalon we still can't believe it is real. This is our first hybrid, so perhaps we were easily impressed... but impressed we are!

 

congrats! give us a review after you driven it a bit please, my wife is also considering one coming off a hycam, although, we haven't driven it yet. what kind of a deal did you get?

 

Watching a show the other day and market forecasters were projecting out ten years to project the market for conventional, alternative fuel, hybrid and electric cars. I was somewhat surprised at how low the non-conventional numbers were especially for the electric. And how high the conventional fuel cars numbers were ten years out. Wish the Avalon hybrid was available when my wife got her Avalon. Getting fine reviews.

 

The author of the test, Josh Jacquot, is a mountain biking buddy of mine. I'm frankly astonished that he was so enamored with the Avalon considering his distaste for every other hybrid offering he's tested prior. Kudos Toyota!

 

currently 20% of Avalon's are hybrids and are in lower supply than gas models, so numbers could improve.

 

I had a sit in a 2013 non-hybrid Avalon yesterday, not sure what trim is was, but wow, what a stunning looking sedan. They had a 2012 nearby and the '13 is so much better looking.

Every conventional sedan of this size is around 20 MPG in the city, and this car doubles that, to 40 MPG. This car said to have much better handling overall. Yeah, it's $4,500 more than regular Avalon, but worth it.

 

I checked out the Avalon Hydrid the other day and all I can say is WOW. I've never been a fan of luxury sedans but this thing is nice. The outside styling is typical Toyota boring but clean. The rest of the car is just awesome.

 

thanks guys, you're getting me fired up. a local deaer has a couple of black one's in stock for $44,000. and change, i wonder if they are discounting at all?

 

ask

but probably need to wait for few months before getting best deals, as the car just came out.

 

Several posts about demographics and why choose the Avalon over the Camry? Here is my first hand take on this...........................
First off, I've purchased 2 Prius' (Prei?), a 2010 and a 2011 for my company. Great cars that go on and on without any issues. The 2010 already has well over 100,000 miles on it. One of our sales guys has a 2005 with over 200K, and has never had a single breakdown or repair, not even brakes yet. Amazing.
So, I purchased a 2012 Camry Hybrid for myself. An excellent car, and consistently at 39-40 MPG. But, here comes the new Avalon, and my wife just takes delivery of the Ltd. V6. What a great car. The sales manager says at delivery "Have you considered the Avalon Hybrid, we have 2 in stock, and will give you a nice trade for your Camry Hybrid".
So, after driving my wife's a few times, I call and order the Avalon Hybrid Ltd.
Why would someone do this? First off, the difference between the Avalon V6 and Hybrid was just $1800. Not bad.
The Camry Hybrid is a fine automobile indeed, but already the new model Camry seem to be everywhere. (i.e. Best selling car).
The new Avalon handles very well compared to previous floaty riding suspensions, is more nimble, interior is compelling, attractive, built here in KY, USA. The Avalon can go up against a Lexus ES-H any day (and I did visit the Lexus dealer before ordering my Avalon. ) with a price difference of $5K, and frankly, I like the interior and exterior styling of the Avalon better. Ride difference is almost non-existent.
So, out with the Camry Hybrid, and in with the Avalon Hybrid. We are soon to be a 2 Avalon family.
Oh yea, and demographics. We are both 50, kids are gone, and we both like to drive. Not your prior Avalon types, but the new one......yes.