The Avalon suffers from the same problem as the Maxima - squeezed from above (ES350 / G37) and below (top trim Camry and Altima) - but I think the Avalon will find its share of buyers, if not so much in the Canadian market, then down south.
The problem Nissan faced was CVT in the Maxima which was an oxy-moron as Maxima had always been positioned as the sportiest mid-szied sedan in the Camcord/Sonoptima crowd. I'm sure the Maxima would have found more customers had it been optioned with a proper auto and a stick in the base form.
All Nissan/Infinity options are good lookers.
Toyota, OTOH, offers exactly the same drivetrains across the Camry/Avalon/ES line so the choice is primarily based on the looks which are very different and the brand cachet. Both Avalon and the ES are luxurious but the Avalon keeps a relatively low profile with a lower price tag. Might be a good option for people who need rear passenger space without flashy lexus badge (carting clients around).
EDIT: or aging fartbags like me who like to be coddled on their daily commute without having to pay for premium gas.
I hope it does well.
To Cord: Toyota invested significant effort into capacitive switches to make sure they don't end up like the failure that the GM/Ford version was. Better sensitivity, even with light gloves, and wider spacing to avoid pressing the wrong key.