Toyota added a hybrid version of the Avalon for its major re-design last year. Now with a more sporting appearance that is decidedly modern and upscale, you can also have much higher fuel economy to go with it.

Toyota Avalon Hybrid has a fastly raked roofline which ties into a tidy and athletic looking stance at the rear three-quarter view. Up front is a large low grille opening with a healthy dose of chrome, framed by angular HID headlamps.

The only distinguishing visuals between the Toyota Avalon Hybrid and the others are the unique badges at the lower front rockers and on the decklid. An exclusive 17” alloy wheel design also comes with the gas-electric Avalon.


In designing the cabin for a more upscale market than the Camry to which the Avalon shares its underlying chassis, the bench seat and column shifter of the last generation is gone. Favoring a more sporting theme, this interior gets a long flowing center console, dividing standard leather seats.

Generous portions of soft touch trims with hand stitched details abound on the doors, console and even the dash. There’s also a healthy dose of black chrome and shiny woodgrain accents to dress it up.

The center stack is where the action is, offering a bit of futurescape with capacitive touch sensitive switches for audio and HVAC functions. Sensing your finger, they operate without physical movement which is slick, but takes a little getting used to at first.

The touch-screen JBL Premium infotainment and navigation system on our Avalon I found easy enough to use on the go with menus that are easy to pick up, and a touch-screen that responds well to your inputs.

Our Toyota Avalon Hybrid had the optional Qi wireless charging tray which allows you to simply lay your compatible phone or device on it for charging, without having to fumble with a cable connection.

Rear seat space is more than generous with excellent legroom due to a stretched wheel-base over the smaller Toyota Camry. The door opening is a little low due to the raked roofline and does require some care however when getting in and out to not bump your head.

On the road the Toyota Avalon Hybrid offers up a middle of the road ride and handling experience. It doesn’t drive like a sport sedan, nor the wallowing mushy boats of the past in this size category. Instead the chassis is tight and solid in response while giving a quiet and well isolated ride much of the time.

Quiet in fact is the key word. Both in city and highway driving, the interior is one of the quietest we have tested this year. It offers excellent sound deadening from both road noise as well as the engine.

Its Hybrid Synergy Drive is comprised of a 2.5 liter Atkinson Cycle engine paired with two electric motor generators and a constantly variable transmission. With a total system 200 horsepower, the powertrain is more than adequate for everyday driving.

The nickel-hydride battery pack mounted in the rear enables the Avalon Hybrid to travel on electric only power up to moderate speeds as well as assisting the gas engine on acceleration when needed. The EPA rates the Avalon Hybrid at 40 mpg city, 39 mpg highway and 40 mpg combined.

Like many hybrid cars, city fuel efficiency is rated higher than highway because stop and go driving allows for the electric motor to not only provide more power but also charge the battery back up during regenerative braking.

Regardless of whether you are looking for a family sedan, a roadtrip car with lots of space or indeed something to use for your business, the Toyota Avalon Hybrid offers up a combination of room, driving comfort and fuel-economy that stands alone in this class. For more news and test drives of hybrid or electric vehicles see our partner channel Motoring2.com.