Test Drive: 2005 Toyota Avalon XLS

We get to drive a lot of nice vehicles here at Autos, and it’s not uncommon to receive a “thumbs up” or a wave when testing some of the flashier machinery.

But it’s rare that someone will personally congratulate you on the car you’re driving, especially if it’s a mainstream type.

So it was somewhat disarming when the guy filling the tank of my sparkling blue Indigo Ink 2005 Toyota Avalon stood reverently next to it, looked inside and said, “Congratulations, sir. This is a beautiful car.” Then he carefully cleaned the windshield and buffed the mirrors.

Not only that, but I got more congratulations when parking it while out shopping and when visiting friends. So much for Toyota’s attempt to make an understated car for people who don’t like to show off.

The new Avalon, which starts at $39,000 in XLS trim, is the product of the Toyota Technical Centre, the company’s U.S.-based facility that had full control over the Avalon’s redesign. It is, according to Chief Engineer Hiroshi Hatada, “The most North American vehicle in our line-up.”

Part of the redesign process was to extensively interview current Avalon owners and Toyota dealers, many of whom participated in in-depth consultations, to determine what the Avalon represented to them and how they’d like to see it developed into the future.

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According to Toyota, the results of these surveys and meetings played a major role in the development of the new Avalon, created by a North American team that was given full and unprecedented control over the design and engineering of the car.

This is a lot of work for a vehicle that found only 187 buyers in Canada in 2004, but Toyota sees an open area of the market for a premium car that it says offers “more of everything that buyers want in this segment… at a price that’s $6,000 less than the base price of the previous model.”

The target demographic is wide: 35 to 70 years of age, “leaning heavily toward people who consider this car to be a reward to themselves,” says David Brimson, Toyota Canada’s public relations manager.

So what has Toyota done that so impressed my friendly gas jockey, who sees thousands of cars go by his pumps, and yet picks this “understated” Avalon as the object of his affection?

Like several recently released models, such as the Ford Five Hundred and Chrysler 300, the 2005 Avalon is big. It rides on a new platform that will form the basis for the next-generation Camry, and has a 100 mm longer wheelbase than the previous Avalon. It’s also wider, by 30 mm, and faces the world with a sleeker, more contemporary grille. Character lines down the side accent the Avalon’s length.

At the rear, the taillights are new (and bear more than a passing resemblance to a 5 Series BMW), and two large-bore exhausts protrude below the bumper. Should you think the twin exhausts are a bit pretentious for the formerly staid Avalon, think again.

The new 3.5-litre V6 engine produces 280 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This is enough to propel the 1,615-kilogram car from 0 to 100 km/hr in a blistering 6.6 seconds. A five-speed automatic transmission with a sport mode and manual override makes the journey there a smooth one.

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You can buy your Avalon in Touring or XLS trim, with the Touring versions a bit lighter than the XLS (at 1,583 kg). They also arrive with a “Eurosport” suspension, unique alloy wheels and a rear spoiler.

Alternatively, my XLS tester focused on sophistication, rather than sportiness. It featured simulated (but very nice) wood grain interior trim, an integrated garage door opener, and auto-dimming rear view mirror among its numerous standard features.

Also present on my car was the XLS C Package (Premium with Navigation), which added a 12-speaker JBL audio system, a wood-and-leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, vehicle stability control and traction control. The navigation system with voice control rounded out the package, bringing this fully-loaded Avalon XLS to $46,825.

The result was a very impressive machine. You could be forgiven for thinking you were seated in a Lexus, rather than a Toyota. The
Avalon’s engine provides a silky rush of power as it effortlessly brings the car up to speed. Even on winter tires, the Avalon simply glides down the highway. Road imperfections are generally seen and not heard (or felt), and wind noise is nonexistent — the driving experience is positively serene.

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Interior appointments are luxurious and comprehensive, and the interior itself is cavernous. The instrument panel is a wonder of soft blue-white light, especially at night, and very easy on the eyes. The power-operated seats are firm but comfortable, with adjustable lumbar support for the driver.

Rear seat room is exceptional, and trunk space sufficient for a full suite of luggage or multiple golf bags.

Notable features are the clever windshield wipers, an integrated arm and blade, that reduce cold weather freezing, and “double fluidic” windshield washers for improved cleaning at speed.

Other unique touches include felt-lined wheel wells to reduce cabin noise, three-position détentes for the doors, an airbag package that includes front, side, knee and side curtain airbags, and a flat rear floor with reclining rear seats.

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Even in base form, the Avalon is lavishly appointed, with leather interior, dual climate control, “optitron” instrument display, and 17-inch alloy wheels included as standard features.

What’s not standard is the Vehicle Stability Control system, which seems an odd omission, especially when electronic stability control is standard on a $19,995 Kia.

There are a couple of other issues that may warrant a buyer’s attention. Even though the Avalon has a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, its operation in my tester was uneven. In the “Auto” mode, the temperature sometimes had to be bumped up to 25 or 26 degrees to provide adequate warmth. At other times, in the same outside temperature, that setting was way too hot.

And with all that power, torque steer was evident on a few occasions. It wasn’t aggressive, but you could feel the wheels pulling as traction was apportioned to each side. When stopping quickly, the Avalon felt heavy, and required greater pedal pressure than expected.

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Other quibbles included a shifter that’s a bit too dainty, a passenger seat that isn’t height-adjustable, and a driver’s seat that does not lower sufficiently, although the steering wheel does tilt and telescope to improve the seating position.

Transport Canada rates fuel consumption for the 2005 Avalon at 11.0/7.3 L/100 km, and my 1,200 km highway driving loop returned 8.2 L/100km (35 mpg) and 12.0 L/100 km (24 mpg) in the city. This is outstanding for a large car powered by a 280 hp engine (surprisingly, it equals the Honda Accord Hybrid I recently drove). With its 70-litre tank, the Avalon has a potential highway range of more than 800 km. It will run on regular gas, but premium is recommended.

Although the previous Toyota Avalon travelled below the shopping radar for several years, this new version should change all that. In XLS form the Avalon is a pleasure to drive. It’s packed with the latest safety, luxury and powertrain technologies at a price that’s more than reasonable. Its direct competition is the Nissan Maxima, Chrysler 300 and Buick Allure, but it could compete with vehicles costing much more.

It’ll get you good service at the gas station, too.

Technical Data: 2005 Toyota Avalon XLS

Related posts:

1. First Drive: 2005 Toyota Avalon
2. Test Drive: 2003 Toyota Avalon
3. Test drive: 2000 Toyota Avalon
4. Used Vehicle Review: Toyota Avalon, 1995-1998
5. Used Vehicle Review: Toyota Avalon, 2000-2003