2016 Toyota Avalon

The upcoming 2016 Toyota Avalon gets a sharper, more upscale look and a re-tuned suspension that's more Buick-like than BMW-like, and that's a good thing for shoppers who covet smooth, supple ride quality as opposed to rapid, hairpin-gripping stick.

 The first thing you'll notice is that the 2016 Toyota Avalon looks like a more robust version of the recently redone 2015 Toyota Camry. For all intents and purposes, that's a good thing. The new Avalon looks more attractive in the expanding sea of sedans that fill America's roads. Namely, the front grille, which is wider and more menacing than the previous model. The sinister new look looks better and less "smiley" than the old design. Vertical turn signals now find their home where the old fog lights of the 2015 model used to reside, while redesigned headlights looking even sharper than before.

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The Touring trim takes the win for best-looking, as its headlights now feature dual rows of LED daytime running lights. Pretty cool stuff, especially for a Toyota. Out back, the new 2016 Avalon features redesigned taillights that have even tighter tolerances than last year's model, with new chrome accents rounding out the rear.

 

Trim Levels

The new 2016 Avalon will now be available in five trim levels:

• XLE
• XLE Plus (New for '16)
• XLE Premium
• Touring
• Limited

Standard & Optional Equipment

All trim levels of the '16 Avalon will come with Toyota's well-sorted Entune infotainment/audio system with a generously-sized seven inch touchscreen display.
Shoppers who insist on integrated Navigation will have to step up to the XLE Premium trim, which also bundles wireless mobile charging. So, no more annoying wire tangles. We wish all cars would offer this. But like BlueTooth and iPod connectivity, it's only a matter of time.
Our favorite is the Touring trim, which looks the slickest. It features LED headlights, a more chiseled front bumper cover and redesigned 18-inch wheels.
For those who want the most safety features, the Limited trim will offer a bevy of electronic equipment, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning systems.

Suspension

One important note is that the '16 Avalon will feature two distinct suspension tuning preferences that will be grouped into specific trim levels. For buyers seeking the most soft and cushy ride, the Touring trim will offer just that. The remainder of the trims will feature slightly firmer ride quality, but still more comfy than the outgoing 2015 model.

Pricing

Official pricing has not been announced, but we estimate that the 2016 Toyota Avalon will be priced around $35k to start (XLE) and top out at $42k for the top-of-the-line Limited trim.

Release Date

The 2016 Toyota Avalon will go on sale in August of 2015.