04/18/2006
By Mike Blake
Carlisle Events
Toyota luxury is often associated solely through its Lexus arm, but the flagship of the Toyota line stands on its own as an entry luxury sedan worthy of consideration when an upscale and quiet ride is on the agenda.
First introduced in 1995, the 2006 Toyota Avalon is the third generation of the vehicle now known as the standard bearer for the fleet. The car has gained a decade-long reputation for being a safe, solid ride filled with quality and reliability. The one knock on past Avalons is that its lines were uninspired, but Toyota has engineered past that disrespect with a sweeping roofline, sporty rear spoiler, extended wheelbase and a classy, upscale interior.
With the 2006 Avalon, Toyota has created an all-American vehicle with Japanese influence. The Avalon was designed by Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, Calif., developed by U.S.-based Toyota Technical Centers and was assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown, Ky. The Avalon went from final styling approval to production in 18 months, the quickest development time of any North American-produced Toyota, but what it developed quickly, it also engineered thoughtfully.
The larger-for-2006 Avalon is a full four inches longer in the wheelbase and an inch wider than is its generation-two predecessor. A lithe chrome-accented grille in front, large tail lamps, stimulating rear spoiler, dual rear-exhaust and contoured trunk in the rear, make for a sweet stance, filled in by an athletic profile.
Added to that new look is more power than ever before.
My test vehicle for a week was the 2006 Avalon in its Touring trim – the model comes in XL, XLS, Touring and Limited trims. My Cassis Pearl sedan was powered adroitly by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that pumped out 268 horsepower and 248 lbs./ft. of torque. The smooth and quiet plant has strength to spare and kicked in early enough to get me from 0-60mph in a shade over 7 seconds. Fuel economy is attended to well enough to garner an average consumption of 27mpg, well within the EPA rating of 22/city and 31/hwy. Attending to environmental concerns, the Avalon is certified as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV).
Solidly built at 3600 lbs., the front-wheel drive sedan with its sport-tuned suspension and 5-speed transmission proudly turned the 5-passenger touring car into a thing of quiet, powerful luxury.
Inside, you get a refined, classic cabin. Moving up a few notches in the luxury arena, the new Avalon will come close to competing with its Lexus siblings. Rear legroom is of the Lexii ilk. Opulent interior amenities include dark charcoal leather-trimmed heated seats, power driver’s seat and lumbar support, leather-wrapped shift knob, multi-function display and info center, a premium AM/FM/cassette/6-disk CD stereo system with nine speakers, dual-zone automatic climate control with air filtration, power moonroof, remote keyless entry, power door locks with an anti-lockout feature, power windows with driver and passenger automatic up/down with jam protection and retained power and a center console storage area.
In the rear you get a pass-through to the trunk and reclining seats with a 10 percent grade, that serves to provide increased legroom.
Safety has been a lynchpin in Toyota’s automotive offerings and the Avalon doesn’t take a backseat to anything in the Toyota arsenal.
The Avalon’s body structure has been fortified to help meet the latest side impact standards. Seven airbags have been installed, with driver and front passenger airbags ready to fulfill front protection necessities, while front and rear side-curtain airbags help provide protection in certain types of severe side impacts. Front seat-mounted side airbags have been designed to provide a greater coverage area. The Avalon also features a driver's knee airbag as standard equipment.
Other safety features on board include a standard anti-lock brake system, electronic brake-force distribution that optimizes braking pressure at each wheel to help minimize body dive or sway during hard braking and cornering, brake assist, stability control and traction control, that work in concert to control skids and wheel spin on slippery road surfaces.
With standard 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels covered in Michelin Energy MXV4 P215/55 R17 tires, the Avalon is responsive, handles well and is a real driver’s car.
Back inside, the Avalon is one quiet ride, thanks to reduced vibration, minimal wind noise and lower cabin noise than ever before. Re-engineered A-pillars, acoustic windshield, aerodynamic wipers and improved fit and finish all contribute to the silent running.
Priced at $31,922, my test Avalon is stickered at thousands less than competition in this niche. The base price for the vehicle is $28,875, with $200 added on for the upscale audio system; $910 for the power moonroof with sliding sunshade; $1090 for the vehicle stability control with traction control, brake assist and heated seats; and $307 for carpet floor mats, trunk mat, cargo net and wheel locks. Add to that, $540 for delivery, processing and handling fees, and you have this exceptional vehicle for under $32,000.
The 2006 Toyota Avalon, it certainly stands up to lofty competition in the entry-luxury sedan market.
Visit www.carsatcarlisle.com for more on the automotive hobby.
MIKE BLAKE, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
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