Updated 2016 Avalon to debut in Chicago
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,041
Likes: 98
From: Southeastern PA
Okay, Ill bite and play devil's advocate. Does it make sense for an ES350 owner to pay more for older engine tech and less power/less mpg than someone who buys a V6 Camry or Avalon? All while knowing that within 2 years, their car's engine will be replaced with that same newer engine? It would bother me greatly and I think Toyota knows this. This is the only reason why I can think of that the Highlander hybrid makes less power and less MPG than the RX450h. Same engine, same hybrid tech, yet detuned on the highlander to make the RX look better. This is the way it should be.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,410
Likes: 249
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Well, I'll probably get some flak for this (wouldn't be the first time)...but I'm not impressed. First, outside, the headlight/grille combination, to me, looks like a pouting child who was just denied a piece of candy.
Second, inside (at least from the video), on the dark interior, there is too much dark monotone everywhere, and the wood-tone trim (if that's what it is) can barely be distinguished from the rest of the trim surfaces. And I'm not a fan of the quality of the materials used inside the 2013 and later models, nor of the new chassis-dynamics.
However, in the Avalon's favor, the drivetrain refinement is indeed first-rate, the car has generally been reliable, and the paint-job has the usual Toyota/Lexus excellence. Now, if they could just offer some non-funeral paint colors for the body.......
Second, inside (at least from the video), on the dark interior, there is too much dark monotone everywhere, and the wood-tone trim (if that's what it is) can barely be distinguished from the rest of the trim surfaces. And I'm not a fan of the quality of the materials used inside the 2013 and later models, nor of the new chassis-dynamics.
However, in the Avalon's favor, the drivetrain refinement is indeed first-rate, the car has generally been reliable, and the paint-job has the usual Toyota/Lexus excellence. Now, if they could just offer some non-funeral paint colors for the body.......
Last edited by mmarshall; Feb 13, 2015 at 02:40 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 0
From: MO
Love the interior updates but the exterior... well. I, for one, just do not think this gaping maw grille is enduring that well. I'm tired of it already... and it looks like Toyota is going to be sticking with it for awhile.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,410
Likes: 249
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Been a few months since I've done one. Actually, though I don't know about the Avalon specifically, body-side moldings on some vehicles are coming back as factory or dealer-installed options/accessories. I've noticed a lot of new Subarus are going out the door with them.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 131
From: MI
Not that I'm the target market for the ES, but it was always so obvious that the switch to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky was going to coincide with its 2016 model year facelift. Will it be de-contented or will profit margin allow for satisfactory quality and feature improvements? Toyota is now at work on the next generation versions of both, so one has to wonder what will be made of those as well come launch in 2018.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,237
Likes: 274
Not that I'm the target market for the ES, but it was always so obvious that the switch to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky was going to coincide with its 2016 model year facelift. Will it be de-contented or will profit margin allow for satisfactory quality and feature improvements? Toyota is now at work on the next generation versions of both, so one has to wonder what will be made of those as well come launch in 2018.