Driven- 2019 Toyota Avalon Touring V6 Review

Not everyone wants an SUV or crossover. For some, a well-crafted sedan is just the thing to pamper a person after a long day at work. The Toyota Avalon fills that bill. The all-new fifth generation is available with two powertrains. Tom Voelk takes the V6 Touring model out for a test drive and finds it keeps the unpleasantries out while offering up some decent driving dynamics. Yes, an Avalon.
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About Tom:
Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award. He also married way out of his league. Now, stop reading this promotional copy bragging about Tom's photography and editing skills and watch a couple episodes. It's much more interesting.

[@JoseMendoza-qd5po]

I actually love how this car looks 😅

[@holnugget]

I own a 2015 Avalon XLE Touring with the v6 and its the best sedan I have ever owned. This version looks even nicer. They are super inexpensive to maintain and drive.

[@verlekersey24]

Man, just a real clean video..!! The editing is really good.! Love this channel.!🖒👏

[@waffle168]

Been following Tom for years. He’s a real professional. His production just oozes quality. I’m always surprised at why he doesn’t have more subscribers. Honestly, for car reviews , he’s as good as it gets.

[@boozedancingtv]

Ahhhhh! I've been saying the "get a nice sedan and stay in nice hotels instead of hauling an RV" thing for YEARS! Good to know it's not just me thinking this way. Keep up the great work. Cheers!

[@jean-louislonne7033]

Tom, your review was better than the car! Very diplomatic comments on the grill. Good Luck Toyota selling this one !!

[@TheBravo13x]

Say what you want about the grill, I also said it looked big, but after seeing a couple already on the road, I must say, it looks a lot better in person. Ofc I would never own one, might as well get a LS or LX. Good job tho toyota.

[@revmotor]

Toyota got the Avalon right with this generation. They should offer AWD.

[@chinojarjos]

They should and they should also offer a wagon version.

[@Ryan74777]

I heard they are adding awd to the Camry in 2020

[@schonz4858]

Ryan yea and the Avalon’s

[@mercuripietro6888]

surprise how good the exhaust sounds theirs a nice growl to it

[@BryceLovesTech]

Tom once again another great video. I think I speak for a lot of your viewers by saying you could just read Wikipedia pages and we would watch it. You're a very great writer.

[@ivanlowjones]

My favorite design element is the kink in the C-pillar. Other than the baleen whale inspired front grill, this particular Avalon has a very sporty and aggressive look.

[@josephaboudi2101]

This is the best full size sedan for its class and maybe even better than the Lexus ES

[@Ken-jw4xk]

3:54 never thought I would see this in a Toyota

[@gingerhamura9807]

Honey, I shrunk the gas tank! What was the rational behind shrinking the gas tank by 3-4 gallons?

[@stevewise1656]

At first when you said genx, I forgot that I’m a genxr.:) it’s a nice car, though didn’t like the looks in white during your review. I went down to my local Toyota dealership and liked the Touring version in red metallic and bought one. It’s a great car inside and out. It’s essentially a 2019 Lexus ES350 for less money and actually net more for the money including a more simple and intuitive infotainment system, along with rear heated rear seats not included in the Lexus. The 2019 Avalon looks better in black or red in the Touring. The large grill has already grown on me. The white emphasizes the massive grill making it stick out like a sore thumb.

[@dlg5485]

I always thought the Avalon shared a platform with the LS 500, but the ES makes sense. The LS 500 is the group's flagship and should have its own platform. Either way, given its excellent build quality and pretty decent looks (except for that absurd grill), the Avalon if probably the best option in the mainstream large-ish sedan segment.

[@AsianNationGaming99]

Yeeeeah, I'm gonna wait for them to finish designing the front end grille.

[@pyrophobia133]

it's turning into a lexus

[@rmknicks]

I found you! I loved your vids on the NYT website and hated that they stopped posting them. Now there's no more reason to click onto their Autos page. Subscribed!

[@Cityoftrees1911]

2006 model is still the best imo. I have mine painted north Carolina blue with black 18" rims it looks sharp imo.

[@kevinfernando3167]

6:28 Love the Audi inspired LED rear turn signal animation!

[@ramanjitsingh4340]

automotivemileposts.com/autobrevity/sequentialsignals.html

[@kevinchoi4389]

If whale sharks were a car.

[@NA-du5vm]

That big ass grille is absolutely unnecessary. Does this thing have a ZR1 supercharged engine or something.? It completely kills the car in my opinion.

[@thecriticalthinkeroutsidet4947]

I Finn It may look huge, but to me it looks pretty sleek, while looking cohesive with the rest of the design quite nicely. Especially compared to the grille of the prior Avalon and the new Camry.

[@NA-du5vm]

@@thecriticalthinkeroutsidet4947 nah, that shit looks ridiculously huge. It's an awful design. The Lexus grille not so bad, but this is just horrendous.

[@kgisabeast]

Other middle top section looks fine, the giant chunks sticking out to the sides make it look dumb. Should've just came down to a point or something

[@thecriticalthinkeroutsidet4947]

I Finn Just because the grille is huge doesn't necessarily make it an "awful design". It depends based on the execution. To a degree, I would admit that the grille is a bit much, but it does look very cohesive in my opinion, while looking aggressive in a fashionable way. It does work nicely with the overall design in my opinion, while looking pretty sleek to me. Hell, with that aside, I know the Camry XSE's grille will not work well on this..

[@thecriticalthinkeroutsidet4947]

I Finn ..and yes, this is coming from someone who actually saw the vehicle in person.

[@clairekennedy8767]

Good looking car, wish Toyota made this car a hatch like the new Buick Regal. Gives so much more space and still looks like a sedan!

[@Aliakbar.m]

Nice review Tom! Your vids are really excellent. Thank you!!

[@aayonce4]

Loving those wheels ! I would get this in silver or gunmetal gray

[@ABCDE710]

How do you not have at least 1 mil subs?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Because I cultivate each and every subscriber and choose only the smartest and best looking ones. Either that or I suck at promotion.

[@chrisbaskett808]

Once again, great review Tom

[@mjdgi1]

Yep and still worried about Toyota legendary cam phaser issue

[@spyro98ortiz62]

Very nice Avalon I like. But whatever happened to sarcastic evil twin if I may ask?😂😂

[@martinkleinman2522]

nice car but for the big-mouth front end. but you're right: gotta check out the lexus ES too. Nice review, man.

[@kawasakiwhiptwo5821]

" in the, what is TAKING you so long department"... where is the all wheel drive?

[@K03sport]

Needs 20s and air suspension for some hard parking...no seriously...if it were available in a wagon, would it have a larger market and take on the volvo s90/v90. I think the the larger rear of the wagon would balance out the front. Does this cross shop w/the g70/80/90 or the RLX too or not because those are lux brands similar to Lexus?

[@johndonaldson5126]

The Avalon looks like the front end is missing parts. I just can't get past that front end to even consider the freedom of the car.

[@JohnSmith-ve8pd]

If I had to pick a Toyota sedan at this very moment, it would be the Crown series.

[@Gdsamplify]

That full-width trunk garnish is very 90s...

[@schxn]

*OHMYGOD THE QUAD EXHAUSTS ARE FAKE!* I never knew that. I’ve always thought they were real until this review had them up close!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Just a little service I provide.

[@anthropology4everyone622]

Tom, With the hybrid achieving 42-44 mpg and offering similar performance, what exactly is the point of the V6?

[@bbhdrtuvjg]

Anthropology 4Everyone because someone would b**** and whine that there is no v6 option...

[@tinhinnh]

Anthropology 4Everyone faster and smoother

[@anthropology4everyone622]

Even faster and even smoother I suppose.

[@waruddell]

Watch videos from Scotty Kilmer about what happens when hybrids get old and need repairs. Toyota's hybrids may be very reliable but even they wear out and will need repairs.

[@jonathanjames471]

The grill is terrifying ...

[@olekiller11]

This is a nice car. But you are absolutely right about the Lexus es and it's pricing. This is gonna be a monthly payment decision for most people.

[@Rickster1965]

I have an ‘05 MDX with 225K that is still running strong. I’m looking to replace the MDX with possibly the Avalon. Wondering if anyone has ditched their SUV for the Avalon? I don’t have kids but need to carry passengers on occasion. It’s my understanding the rear seats in the Avalon fold down in case I need to carry larger packages.

[@augustrushdesigns3890]

The Avalon is a nice car. However, I like the styling of the Maxima better.

[@dougn2350]

I've noticed that all my favorite car review guys are tippy toeing around the subject of the Avalon's styling. Wise decision.

[@walterivanfairview]

Prius and now this monster, what’s going on at Toyota?

[@rickjames5998]

i just wish it was rwd or awd

[@qiraattvmedia4571]

If I remember correctly.....you were able to fit 10 packs of the TP in ford Taurus not 8

[@sahel87]

Why not reviewing the limited trim !!!!

[@Atomb]

I'm surprised Toyota doesn't give this car a tow rating. You'd think it could pull something with that big engine and a full-sized chassis.

[@waruddell]

I was surprised too. My 2009 Avalon Limited has a class II hitch and 1,500 lbs. rating. Unfortunately the soft suspension doesn't handle more than 100 lbs of tongue weight very well. The V-6 motor can certainly pull smaller trailers with ease.

[@gogutzy]

so this is a full size sedan compared to the camry mid size?

[@76carmel]

Toyota and Lexus are trying to make their vehicles more sporty recently. However, I feel vehicles designed for comfort like the Avalon shouldn’t be made “sporty”.

[@velboone6041]

I love the grill

[@ONI1013.]

2:03 - I don’t mind the front grill, but I thinks it’s tacky to pretend to have a quad exhaust when you can clearly see the outer two exhausts are fake. Doesn’t the Limited edition have a larger double hexagon exhaust tip? My 2013 Avalon has this and its perfect.

[@Salsero306r]

The Toyota Avalon doesn't take you where you want to go. It sends you where you need to be.

[@jermainec2462]

I like it ... Grill is lil big but I like the design especially wit tho rims it has .... The es 350 looks much better tho

[@destincoutee7377]

Love your reviews Tom! Can you review the 2019 Buick Envision or Regal Sportback pls!!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

I did the 2018 Envision and I don't tend to repeat unless there's a major change. Would like to get my hands on the Sportback though...

[@destincoutee7377]

@@DrivenCarReviews Yes, for 2019 the Envision was refreshed.

[@mrbadx19]

haven't heard Roxy Music in ages, love their version of Hurricane. I work in a book warehouse, get in tons of classic novels, just bought one i read 40-something years ago "Flowers for Algernon". A Yaris fits my current budget though.

[@firefox39693]

Avalon is an island part of LA county.

[@deekay2]

Open-mouth Bass.

[@milk0427]

My favorit car reviewer !! I wanna see your evil twin more often!

[@omgitsme435]

Inside I don't mind, but outside is horrid. That front and rear, what were they thinking

[@ajlee6933]

Great attempt but this car still won’t attract younger buyers like the Impala & Maxima does.

[@thecriticalthinkeroutsidet4947]

AJ Lee I've actually seen a lot more older people with an Impala. Plus, the try-hard overstyled "sports sedan" with a CVT? That Maxima?

[@ajlee6933]

FarhantheMovieGuy Productions I guess that’s debatable, because I never see old people driving Impalas. Regardless of the CVT, Nissan has been able to keep the Maxima youthful. It continues to be successful because it attracts new buyers each generation.

[@toyotabrony]

AJ Lee I’m still young ass dude, I would love to have this flagship

[@jul5385]

The Maxima has handsome looking. But for some reason, it doesn't sell. Probably because of the infamous CVT transmission. Nissan decided to use CVT on a 300-hp sporty sedan is completely dumb.

[@user-zi9eh5wh7r]

wow awesome

[@tommy13965]

This guy is to obsessed with toilet tissues every single one of his videos he has to see how many bundles he can fit in a trunk.

[@tommynobaka]

Toyota and Yamaha's relationship go way back

[@jody024]

Car review, Travel advice, Literary information and music information. Tom does it all~

[@TruthHasSpoken]

Nice review. One thing I notice that is a deal breaker for me is the humongous center console. Tall and wide, you can't move your right leg to the right while putting the car on cruise control.. Forever "boxed" in.

[@akhilkarandikar99]

Something is wrong with the audio, otherwise good video

[@omarkhanlilcurry]

What a beautiful car! Wish it had AWD!

[@Agent77X]

Most of the potential buyers are in the sunbelt! No AWD needed!

[@iLikeTigerz101]

HW2800 a guy in El Paso drives a 4x4 Chevy Silverado 2500.

[@ducatil-twin3379]

@@Agent77X Source...

[@thomasnew8606]

the front of the Toyota and especially Lexus vehicles are the worst now! Remember when people hated the Acura "beak"??? Well this is worse somehow. I would never buy one as the look... Too bad because the rest of the car is pretty nice

[@denault3985]

Much improved, finally a decent looking Toyota!

[@mercuripietro6888]

this whould be so perfect if it whould be awd

[@charleyvarrick3627]

Lol 3.5 V6 engine for a family car, only in USA !!! Here in EU that toyota would probably have 2.0 D4D engine !!!!!!!! 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, or 2.0 liter engines are majority engines in cars and more then half of them are with diesel engine. I must admit that USA is one hell of a country to own a car, you really live in your own world 'american dream' and I envy you.

[@ramanjitsingh4340]

euro people love diesel even in australia nz people love petrol cars

[@charleyvarrick3627]

Love have nothing to do with it, it's all about life standard. Gas is 10 times cheaper in US so everyone can drive high engine power gasoline cars, I really doubt smaller EU country's love agricultural sound of their diesel car's, even premium cars like Mercedes, Audi or BMW.

[@Siggfuggggg2000]

Fix that grill

[@toyotabrony]

The Lag Janitor nah. This one is aggressively gorgeous

[@Siggfuggggg2000]

Toyota Brony I don’t think so

[@pngmick]

What is with Toyota styling right now. Shite. That front grille thing is terrible.

[@toyotabrony]

pngmick nah. Toyota made it better

[@jasonthach44]

Yay!

[@CTOInformation]

40k？！

[@TurfSurf]

No Android Auto? it's still 2009 for Toyota..............and that grill, next year the whole hood will be a grill!

[@dmob420]

I still like my 2013 better

[@rightlanehog3151]

#SaveTheSpaceSaver

[@iaj7517]

The front grill is becoming less and less controversial. More companies are headed that direction. I think it looks bold, masculine and 'In Your Face'! More like all over your face!

[@antonch.657]

Japanese 2018 Toyota Crown looks MUUCCCHHH Better

[@toyotabrony]

Anton Ch. both of them are better

[@hmbv1591]

Make it a AWD also.

[@toyotabrony]

HmbV15 nah. FWD will do fine

[@hmbv1591]

Toyota Brony Need traction for the snow

[@mjmpraise]

Why so much plastic grill!? Looks ridicules, terrible to keep clean and very easy to damage!

[@toyotabrony]

Michael Maione not if u take care of it well

[@المنصفالعادل]

Look like lexus gs

[@bassandtrebleclef]

No Android auto?? Hey Toyota, do you have any idea how many of us Android users there are? You do know that most car buyers see cars as little more than a cell phone with wheels?

[@Aliakbar.m]

I agree, it's so weird but, Toyota has decided that Android Auto isn't for them, for the foreseeable, citing security concerns!

[@نوافالعنزي-س2ر2غ]

😱

[@777galamian]

Yamaha is known for making pianos, not violins.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Pianos, violins, synthesizers, motorcycles, outboard motors, WaveRunners. Should I go on?

[@777galamian]

they're not known for making violins...just sayin'

[@eventis7]

@ 777galamian - FAIL. Simple to look it up. Another who's always gotta be right.

[@777galamian]

He said that they make fine violins. No they don't - I'm a violinist and have never seen or heard a Yamaha violin. Yes, they make them, but they are not "known" for making violins. They are "known" for making pianos which are excellent. SO, if he know much about Yamaha and instrument making, he should have mentioned pianos, NOT violins.

[@Van-Hammer]

This car just can't keep its mouth shut.

[@alialshiekhi9812]

That's the way they do it stealing design 😏 The mechanical and electrical parts are made by YAMAHA and Denso otherwise TOYOTA will be a crap

[@Sashazur]

Grille makes it look like a whale unless the car is black - and then it looks like I'm driving a hire car. No thanks.

[@thorwhitegod]

What an ugly car why they have to make their cars so horrible

[@vincent109]

I saw this car on the road a couple of weeks ago and it just looks bad.

[@dougn2350]

Maybe you saw a wrecked car and mistook it for an Avalon.

[@prajeesh68]

Nice vedio. Sir iam from India. I need a job.(small or big no problem)

[@50hellkat2]

Are you Kidding.......no android????????.wtf. Grill ugly. Lexus smaller.

[@AJ-tp4wg]

Well, that is way too pricey to shed 44k. I would rather go for an SUV.

[@PalamarH2Oarts]

The Japanese are making most of the ugliest cars these days, and Toyota may be the current winner....just look at the Frankenstein geometry of this Avalon.

[@toyotabrony]

PalamarH2Oarts maybe, Japanese makes the most ugliest in a nice way, and most elegant automobile ever

[@migoodoo6295]

Looks like bmw

[@ramanjitsingh4340]

mate you have never seen a bmw i guess

[@ll8937]

just get a Lexus

[@toyotabrony]

ll8937 nah. I’d go for Avalon

[@davidn5861]

Terrible car just like every other Toyota product.

[@ScottE5]

Tom Truth #77 "Forget the RV and travel across America in something like this. And use the money saved to stay in a nice bed and breakfast." Preach, brother. Preach.

[@leebee1100]

These reviews are so thorough, entertaining and honest that I literally binge watched these videos all the way back to late 2016 lol