2019 / 2020 Toyota Avalon | The Bigger Snazzier Camry

Thanks to the Camry getting larger and CAFE legislation disincentivizing larger sedans, the Avalon and the rest of the full-sized mainstream sedans are in kind of a pickle. Are they separated enough from the mid-sized cousins on the dealer lot? Or are you better off just buying the Camry? We tackle that and more in our full-take of the all-new 2019 Toyota Avalon.
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[@jdm1039]

This channel has the best, most comprehensive and unbiased reviews I can find.

[@abbasjafiya21]

I disagree with Alex's conclusion. There are many reasons why some would pick the Avalon over the Camry. It's the little things: the Infotainment, the cooled seats, the premium finishing, overall finish etc. Avalon for me !

[@stonecold9132]

Drives much better even when you compare the V6 Camry

[@betterbudgetbikes8592]

Awww… we’re really gonna miss you, Mr. Avalon. (2022, R.I.P.)

[@patrickwalker6698]

I saw one in person at the dealership and I actually like how it looks. It doesn't scream, "Grandparent car" like it used to.

[@clairekennedy8767]

I can understand limited rear seat headroom in sports coupé but a large sedan no excuse. Should be 40 inches of rear headroom. All manufacturers would need to do is make the roof go up higher the design would still look similar!

[@clairekennedy8767]

Chris Christian It’s been happening for awhile now, just make the car a few inches taller and keep the swoopy design

[@gm2256]

I like the styling. But getting it in a darker color is a must so the grill doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.

[@jessemunoz2642]

Audi, "Our cars have a biggest grill, dont they." Toyota, "Hold my beer."

[@regculp4706]

Excellent review - detailed on all important points, appropriate and thorough competitive comparo re features and value, and nicely articulate. This is why I’ve subscribed - thank you!

[@Alumnikiid]

He is one of the only reviewers who explains the trim levels. It always seems as though everyone else is always reviewing the top trim

[@1717jbs]

Great informative review. Thanks Alex.

[@ddrrhunt]

Great job on your car comparison. I like how you show other cars and the pros and cons against those cars versus the car that you are reviewing. Great job keep up the good work awesome content

[@meyo1860]

That grill is growing on me. So bold and sexy. I saw a pearl white Avalon on the road and I couldn't stop staring!!

[@ChrisRatchford]

I've owned a white Acura TL and Infiniti Q50; LOVE white cars; but with that front grill, I'm thinking about getting a black one.... to help hide it.

[@ericstevinson8913]

Chris Ratchford mine looks badass silver/black. I like the grill it does grow on ya looks like its about to eat a Prius

[@brianye89]

only looks good in some colors tho

[@ThatWasherNerd]

I mostly like the rear...the front looks like it ate the Camry

[@AYouTubeChannelwithNoName]

😂😂

[@kadidaaa]

I love the interior dash and how it looks so much more elegant inside. I’d choose this over the Camry even though I wish it was offered with AWD

[@kolt9051]

Great review! Thanks, Alex!

[@bradyb9929]

I love this car

[@dsgrts]

Bigger intakes than a jet fighter

[@JakeDrives1]

Yeonhoo Kim and not a turbo to be found. Surprising ? Not really ..

[@michaelgrant5258]

Ready for Top Gun

[@blitzbbffl]

The hideous front grill of the Avalon is much more apparent when contrasted against the car in light finishes - white, silver, etc. Realizing this, Toyota is providing reviewers with the Avalon in darker finishes. As always, Alex hits all the important points.

[@Yoursistersazz]

It’s amazing actually

[@Aschoolbusandsimulatorfan2219]

I like the Toyota Avalon!! Nice review Alex.

[@broncotex8033]

Great review. Out standing

[@vetteboy1024]

First video I have watched of yours. Love the style of the Avalon and the enormous grill. Considering the TRD Avalon coming out later this year. Currently have a Civic Si and the back seats are too small for my child seats. I had a Corolla before the Civic and Toyota’s build quality is so much better with less creaks and rattles etc.

[@g1981c]

you really did your homework on this one Alex ... i been comparing these cars myself and 90% on the same page with you ...

[@gumerdominguez4091]

As always sir you are the best👍👍lots of info better than most thanks sir

[@SimornM]

I went to the oc auto show yesterday and the cut on the outermost parts of the bumper are actually functional vents that direct air to the outside of the tires

[@peter300pete]

I'm a plumber, but just in case Toyota needs a designer, I can drop off my resume.....

[@hybridstiger]

Lol.

[@swanblake]

Bahahaha thus just made my day! Well played and they should seriously hire you. That grill is so bad

[@peter300pete]

@@swanblake 🤣🤣

[@normt5463]

Peter Are you saying their designers had a sewage back up?

[@peter300pete]

@@normt5463 you got it my friend 🤣🤣

[@ademolaade-ojo9703]

Lovely review

[@chandrasekharghosh222]

Love the grill

[@ericstevinson8913]

Love my 2019 Avalon XSE and it's pretty little grill... silver on black about to get upgrades!

[@bamagurl3242]

I got the 2020 Avalon pearl white! Love it!!!!!

[@ktpinnacle]

Toyota/Lexus - get rid of who ever designs your front ends! This is an abomination, and the Predator/spindle grill on the Lexus is an eyesore.

[@ravipeiris4388]

Thank you Alex.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Alex, As a taller driver, I decry the rapid disappearance of headroom from modern sedans so I thank you AGAIN for underlining that concern in this test. #SaveHeadRoom With the Avalon, Camry or Lexus ES the hybrid option just makes the most sense as it will pay for itself 10 times during the life of the vehicle.

[@mountainhobo]

Also note at 10:23 that ludicrously (and pointlessly) wide center console now has a sharp edge to make it really irritating on longer trips.

[@JakeDrives1]

It’s like they don’t care with sedans anymore but obsess over it in anything that can be called an SUV. They’re really trying to draw the buyer out of the sedan and into the more profitable suv.

[@rightlanehog3151]

JD, Apparently there are no car designers over 5'8". If there were, they would immediately realize this modern mania for sharply sloped roof lines defeats the whole purpose of a four door. It has gotten so out of hand that it is even happening in CUVs.

[@mountainhobo]

It is a sign of the times, both with the sloping roof and wide center console - it's form over substance.

[@rightlanehog3151]

It is a world-wide conspiracy of the short!

[@Nestle245]

This car would look great in all black especially with a black wrap.

[@MyLife-so1jl]

today's full-size sedans are basically just gussied up mid-sized sedans...there are no different.....it they would make full-sized cars....ROOMY, FAST and INTERESTING...they will sell.

[@normt5463]

Rye Shelton. Sedans are declining in sales. That might explain why no AWD on this platform when the hick LaCrosse still offers torque vectoring AWD.

[@panzer_TZ]

The “full-size” segment makes no sense. You pay a significant premium for slightly nicer interior and a few cubic feet of extra space.

[@wannabedal-adx458]

Americans want SUV's mostly now. So either you get a mid-size sedan or smaller for yourself, an SUV for the family, or a luxury car for yourself if you can afford it. I agree (but don't like the fact) that the full size segment is declining. I think it will be marginal no matter what car companies put into them.

[@dumitruc8789]

I wanted an Avalon until I watched this video. Thank you Alex for this great review, comparison, pros and cons. Love your work!!!

[@betterbudgetbikes8592]

Really? Why? You don’t like it anymore? I’d kill for a ‘22.

[@joebullington4997]

I believe I'd get the Accord. I just wish they'd do something with that front end styling.

[@MyLife-so1jl]

Give it a higher and more upright roofline and you'll have more headroom.

[@joshshake2504]

You should do a video on the 2019 Camry to compare. Plus I would be interested to see you score with carplay

[@53pittmanjt]

Crap! Now I'm more confused than ever! Great video, thanks.

[@wayne1141]

great video

[@RileyAaron90]

She said, here’s your one chance Fancy don’t let me down!

[@baldheadlogic]

Great Review Professor Alex. I feel like AWD should have been available to give this a bigger distinction from the Camry. Otherwise, I would get an XSE Camry and call it a day.

[@dsgrts]

Hyundai didn’t really kill the Azera. It’s just no sold in N. America. There’s a new gen Azera selling like hotcakes, well, at least in Korea.

[@jaiizwaii89]

I love it

[@barbecuetechtips6024]

The XSE and touring have the Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE) is standard on Touring and available on XSE as part of the JBL ® Audio upgrade. This is a combination of an Intake Sound Generator (ISG) and sport-tuned exhaust working with the Active Noise Control (ANC) system to cancel out unwanted noise in the cabin while simultaneously pumping in a deeper and sportier exhaust note. When are you going to test the limited or XLE model? I am thinking of getting a limited and having them swap wheel/tire combo's to the 215/55/17 vs the limited 235/45/18

[@Indicano]

Love the rear end on this car. Wish they would offer the RAV4 hybrid power train with the rear electric motor on this car.

[@immersionoz4052]

Wow! I can't believe you put the 300 in there. People just lease that to dump it into the subprime market to age ungracefully.

[@makeitmakesense411]

I love the grill it looks bad ass

[@ThousanWhite]

Hmmm not bad. You're right Alex. The days of the floaty boaty sedans are soon fading away

[@jawtek82]

Camry is not an Avalon. Noticeably smaller inside - especially if you are not a short man like Alex. Ride is considerably harsher, too. But Camrys make nice rental fleet vehicles if that is what you like to drive. LOL. Chrysler is MUCH less reliable than Toyota. Who needs the aggravation? Buick is also less reliable, but not as bad as Chrysler. It is a reasonable alternative. Cadenza is really the competition here, and it comes down to what kind of deal you can get. And actually the best comparison for the Avalon is the Lexus ES350. There is another video here which compares the Avalon and the ES350 and puts the Avalon on top. So one guy puts Avalon over Lexus ES, and if you believe Alex, the Camry is over the Avalon - so I guess that would make the Camry over the Lexus ES350. I would love to see Alex compare those two and come to that conclusion. LOL.

[@V0ll0x]

The front grille is hideous. It looks worse in person. Also, that center console stack looks so damn cheap - like they designed the dash and realized very late to include a center stack for controls.

[@wanderjahren]

Good presentation, lot of info. Recommend mentioning your height and inseam when discussing headroom and legroom.

[@xxboxofmuffinsxx4252]

Personally, I love the Toyota/Lexus grills. They're unique when compared to the classic grills of other sedans and give them a lot of character. It doesn't say "LOOK AT ME" like a lot of other cars. It says "this is what you want if you're looking for a luxurious sedan."

[@Cancel-kurd]

Nice car

[@alliejr]

Mirror lurker at 8:31 haha :)

[@gregwalker4236]

nice review, as usual. personally, i don't want to ride on top of a battery, so the 3.5 would be the one-unfortunately the gas mileage isn't much better than their popular suv or minivan- advantage accord....

[@MarkCedeno]

Hey Alex, when are you going to make a review on the all new 2019 Rav4?

[@tjsullivan4793]

I saw on KBB that there is a press embargo until Nov. 20

[@michaelgrant5258]

Alex, so if you tested the Avalon XLE you would have gave it an A+ for ride quality and cabin noise, due to the quieter exhaust, smaller tire tread with 215/55/17, and larger side wall than your test car?

[@alfreddeneumann]

Not a fan of the gaping grille although I don't find it offensive. Overall it's a better look than the Accord for sure

[@claypool0]

In your review you say "if your looking for that softer ride you should shop somewhere else". What car would that be? What mid size sedan has the best smooth soft ride?

[@jasanmiguel]

Alex, is the Avalon Hybrid trunk same size as the one in this video? Does the battery interfere?

[@Jaymac720]

If the Avalon and Maxima were to go rear wheel drive, they would be much better and would appeal to a huge range of buyers. The longer wheel base would make them more comfortable and the rear wheel drive dynamic would make them more fun

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

Don't forget the Chevrolet Impala. More spacious, very good ride quality and big dsicounts, you can get a V6 Impala for ~ $25k. Ford Taurus and Chrysler 300 offer insane discounts currently, you can get them for $20k or even less. Toyota is selling the Avalon on reputation alone, no other reason to spend nearly $15k more on a long wheelbase Camry over real full size sedans.

[@luptonpittman6520]

You can probably get an Avalon for 32k or so with discount. I’d gladly spend 7k more for an Avalon over a Chevy anything any day.

[@Desertfox92308]

As a Camry owner I would buy another one in a heart beat! Not a fan of the Big mouth Bass grill at all. The Avalon should be rebadged as a Lexus, doesn't make a lot of sense competing with it's little brother Camry.

[@normt5463]

Norm K. The in-laws replaced a 2002 avalon with a 2012 Camry. Lack of fried qualit,ly, high wind noise around the a-pillars and flashing on plastic doors and dash.

[@silentrefusal9911]

No matter which angle I look at it from, that front is simply unfathomable.

[@johnsonl3656]

For the next generation Avalon, the headlights will be integrated into the grill. That grill is getting bigger and bigger!

[@nhshire6992]

Was the front end in an accident.? Or did it just fall off?

[@normt5463]

LaCrosse AWD FTW!

[@verynick]

17:15 I just found out that the Touring comes with Active Noice Cancellation. That will give you 68-69 decibel sound which is a Lexus territory.

[@naveenthemachine]

I think the Touring trim looks a bit better with the front grill but not with the white exterior.

[@wannabedal-adx458]

This review continues to affirm that I should get a Buick LaCrosse. The Avalon is not a much better then a Camry (which I currently own). The performance and comfort seems better on the 2017 and later LaCrosse then the Avalon. And the reliability of the Buick LaCrosse is close enough to the Toyota Avalon to be acceptable to me. Thanks for the reviews (all of them), Alex!!

[@Elusive25]

Toyota is waking up

[@normt5463]

D.E.P H MC. Yes, decontenting this platform and leaving AWD for SUVs.

[@igeekone]

Yeah, it's sad there are no more affordable floaty ride new cars anymore.

[@walterstaton1363]

Alex, your reviews can’t be beat. Love all of the Avalon except that front end. Wish Toyota would come up with something more attractive.

[@suttongriffin8154]

I like the grill better than the previous generation, though it is a lot to take in lol

[@Jia1337]

ES Review coming soon???

[@michaelgrant5258]

Alex, do you think the Avalon XLE would have scored better ride and cabin decibel tests? Those 17" wheels with 215/55/17 tires should have made a difference on NVH and smaller tire contact patch for road noise. Not to mention the softer spring rate and thinner sway bar on the XLE vs the rest of the Avalon line up. "Spring stiffness, for example, is increased 25 percent when comparing XLE to Limited; stabilizer bar stiffness is up 38 percent and 62 percent, front and rear, respectively, when progressing from XLE to XSE." Also, why didn't you mention the Acura RLX in your comparison?

[@sundaydickson]

You're right Alex, I'm not a fan of the front grill myself.

[@ehab007bob]

its difficult to justify its price considering the lexus es price

[@kleptonaisa7845]

For that price, I would just buy a Mini-Van... tons of space, powerful engine, and comfortable.

[@knievel8727]

Leg room is more important than headroom in back not equal. Tall people sit in the front and move their seat back.

[@bbbt8090]

I like the new exterior, these 4 door Japanese cars need awd. With those power plants the awd would do wonders

[@mattspeer01]

That center stack inside looks so bad...really cheap looking.

[@geosh10]

Matt Speer, yes! Cheap! The Maxima’s interior is much nicer.

[@AMunday1988]

geosh10 lmao maxima with its infamous cvt 😂

[@JakeDrives1]

Reminds me of an 80’s-90’s stereo receiver.

[@geosh10]

Andrew Munday if they’d offer the Maxima with a manual transmission I’d be love!

[@michaelgrant5258]

Looks better than the Lexus ES

[@jsasu.3]

XSE looks with hybrid drivetrain would be nice

[@omgitsme435]

If you've sat in one in person, you'll know the center stack is awful. It's not cohesive, takes a ton of room, and just plain ugly.

[@SGTDave]

I have a 2019 Avalon XSE. I do not recommend it. Chrome trim has fallen off the mirror and a loud whistling noise comes through a leak in the front windshield seal. The part is the seats. They are not just uncomfortable; they are painful. I expected better quality control and comfort for the money.

[@conspickerous]

Awww Alex...it should have been Roxy Music’s Avalon on the Carplay screen. 😆 Anyway, if I’m concerned for the looks alone, then I’d go for the Avalon than the Camry. But if the price difference between them is about 5k-10k, then I’d go for the Camry instead. I think not a lot is gained here compared to the Camry. And I don’t like that sharp edge on the side vents. You would probably bump your head there when cleaning the lower portions of the dash.

[@mrbmoney2396]

Need an Avalon L model. Long body

[@smovol1847]

It's executive (E) class, not Full-size (F). Full-size is BMW 7 series or Maserati Quattroporte, while Avalon is on the class less, like Nissan Maxima, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300 or premium Audi A6 or Volvo S90...

[@deangordon7783]

I like the Maxima

[@pigsnack]

Is it possible that 2019 Avalon could get an Android firmware update or no.

[@miltoncallan1471]

The square cup holder is convenient to hold a phone when you enter the vehicle.

[@tominftlthomasp3559]

Love my Avalon. I think my next car is going to be a SUV for the ride height. I get frustrated with sitting so low.

[@thisismagacountry1318]

All my friends know the Low Rider,...

[@water7apple]

As a 2018 Camry V6 owner and one who test drove several recent Avalons, actually, the Avalon may be a better buy, especially with the 2018-2020 Camrys still having the 8 speed transmission issues. The Avalons 8 speed transmission is much smoother, has less jerkiness, and doesn't search for gears (quite) as much as the Camry's transmission does. Check out the web on the 2018-2019 Camry transmission issues, if you don't believe. But I do agree with everyone here that the Avalon's grille is grotesque!

[@cadsux]

I think the grille is just ok. Lots of honeycomb for bugs to "reside," and a nightmare to clean & shine. On the plus side, less paint touch-up and car waxing up front!

[@BanBiofuels]

The rear end looks super-great, but the front grill is just too big. What is the deal with Toyota's obsession with giant cartoon style grills? If it had a nice Bentley or Jaguar style front grill it would be beautiful.

[@Nestle245]

Not feeling that screen looks like it's the same exact screen as the new Altima and Accord. Interior looks very simple in that color package.

[@stevewise1656]

You really should have tested the Touring. The steering wheel isn’t manual in the Touring, though I absolutely agree regarding the length of the seat cushion. I own the Touring and it needs a thigh extender or simply longer thigh support. The gas mileage is surprisingly than good. I’ve owned mine for three weeks and haven’t filled the tank...heck it still had half a tank. This car isn’t loud and the ride isn’t stiff. Maybe the SXE offers less sound deadening materials. The Camry is really fun to drive with the V6.

[@mikebrandon3100]

Alex gave the XSE a B- for cabin noise, which is another reason why it would be helpful to have a comprehensive review of the Avalon Touring, which, as specified in this video (at 18.49), has Active Noise Cancellation.

[@samsosa6122]

Alex, you completely skipped the heated steering wheel. It's a new feature on this new generation.

[@v13r3r]

When designing the Avalon, the design team did not want Toyota to be seen as boring. So when the design team came up with the grille, they thought it looked off and that's when they knew they were on the right path. Imo I think they should have followed their original instincts.