Older and wiser yet slimmer and better equipped. Dangerous medical advancements aside, this combination of traits is more easily applied to vehicles than humans. Such is the case with the new Avalon. The 2013 version has been redesigned to show a little individuality & youth going in to its new prime. Get off its lawn and take it for a mental spin by checking out some makeover stats.
2013 Toyota Avalon Trims and Feature Highlights
The Avalon has been redesigned for 2013. Now a mid-sized sedan, Toyota has kept Avalon’s 111 inch wheelbase but trimmed some 2 inches of length and half a foot width-wise, which lightens everything by 100 pounds or so (on base models). Things are bigger where it counts, however; Toyota has managed to expand trunk space by 1.6 cubic feet to 16 cubes overall. Shoppers will be able to choose from V6 gasoline and 40 MPG Hybrid engines, as well as some nice safety tech (alongside ten standard airbags), and an array of upscale features. Visually, Avalon’s shell has become sleeker and tighter though the cabin promises to be as spacious as previous editions. Despite the powertrain similarities, the 2013 Avalon is far from just another Camry clone. Look for it later this year. We’ll see if Toyota stays with its low $33,000 starting price.
If you are the impatient type, the 2012 Avalon is still available. Find the best price here.
2013 Toyota Avalon Performance
The gasoline Avalon gets a familiar 3.5 liter V6 worth 268 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission; drivers are given Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes so as to suit road conditions/driver preference. Adding more athleticism to Avalon’s package are steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.
The other choice is a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder gas engine/electric motor combo that makes 200 horsepower. This is the same engine that’s featured in the 2012 Camry Hybrid and will be equipped with an E-CVT transmission. Drivers can run solely on battery power up to 25 MPH in EV mode and then switch to either Eco or Sport mode to experience the obvious benefits of each.
Both engines employ front-wheel drive.
2013 Toyota Avalon Fuel Economy
Toyota has managed to boost the gasoline Avalon’s MPG a few ticks to 21/31/25 (city/highway/combined), up from 19/28/23 with the 2012 model. More eye popping are the Avalon Hybrid’s numbers of 40/39/40.
2013 Toyota Avalon Interior Highlights
Toyota uses all the right keywords here- modern, spacious, premium- and they don’t seem to be too far from reality. Avalon’s front seats have been lowered just enough (.4 inches) to provide more headroom, soft touch surfaces and leather are where they need to be, and chrome-metallic accents complete a useful dash layout. Interior noise, a bone of contention with previous owners, has supposedly been quieted by a number of sound absorbing materials. All the better to enjoy some Entune entertainment. Passenger space should also remain a plus.
As mentioned, trunk space expands to 16 cubic feet, fitting for Avalon’s new mid-size designation.
2013 Toyota Avalon Safety
Standards for every 2013 Avalon include antilock brakes with brake assist, stability/traction control, and smart-stop technology- all part of Toyota’s Star Safety System. Ten airbags are also standard. A salivating array of options include a rearview camera, pre-collision and blind-spot monitoring systems, and a rear cross traffic alert which checks incoming traffic for safer back-ups.
2013 Toyota Avalon Summary
It had a tendency to be labeled as an old person’s car, but the elderly don’t get there without being smart. Hybrid technology and improved driving dynamics should re-distinguish Avalon as a downright exciting vehicle to drive. Toyota is certainly providing a nice framework to work with. Look for the 2013 Avalon (far from retirement communities) this fall. Until then, keep your eyes tuned to the site that always excites, CarWoo!
