ES vs Avalon
 

Do these cars share same drive train?

In a word, yes.

The engine is identical. A 3.5 L. V6. Same engine since at least 2006.

Yup, the 3.5 V6 and 6 speed transmission is a very solid combination widely used in Lexus and Toyota models.

That is close, but not quite correct. The 2006 ES, as well as the 2006 Camry and Avalon used a 3.3 liter V6, which was an earlier iteration of the V6 shared by multiple Toyota and Lexus models. The 3.5 liter V6 was first used in the Generation 5 ES, which began with the 2007 models.

Which were available for sale in Sept '06.;)

That was my thought too. I bought a 2007 ES550 in late-April/early-May 2006.

Yes,that's right.Early release of the new design.

My 2006 Avalon had a 3.5L. V6... Not a 3.3L. V6...The 2013 ES350 even uses the same oil filter. Engine code also the same.
Check out the link below from Edmunds.



http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/avalon...res-specs.html

That being the case, then, the 2006 Avalon and the 2006 ES did not share the same engine because I know that the 2006 ES that I owned had the 3.3L V6, and I believe that 6 cylinder Camrys also had the 3.3 liter engine in 2006.

http://www.edmunds.com/lexus/es-330/...1032&sub=sedan

I can't speak for the 2006 Lexus or Camry as I didn't own one. I did own the Avalon with the
3.5L. V6.

Yes, but Avalon owners complain alot more about the hard ride and a hard lump in the drivers seat as you'll see if you visit the Toyota Nation Avalon forum or read the Edmunds owner reviews. I rented one Avalon from Alamo and one from Hertz and they both rode like $15,000 economy cars with alot on road bump impact harshness, considerable road noise and a hard drivers seat. The only things I liked about the Avalon were the smooth engine and transmission and the steering - directional stability on the highway was excellent.

I traded in a 2007 Avalon on a 2013 Es.... and yes both vehicles have the same 3.5L V-6. Not positive but I also believe the transmissions are the same as well.... both are very smooth... I will say two things I've noticed about my ES vs. my Avalon.... there were times when it felt like my avalon would get "caught" up in between gears and it wasn't sure which gear to take... I've not noticed that at all in my ES.... also, one of the very first things I noticed about my ES was how much more quiet the cabin seemed to be..... But I have no complaints with the Avalon...mine was a very very good car.

Poppa

As previously stated, I too owned a 2006 Avalon. My experience is that the comfort, ride quality, build quality, engine performance, and interior were first class. I did not think that the seats were "hard" or uncomfortable in any way. For me, it was a tough decision to even trade it in and spend more money... At this point I'm very happy with the Lexus but would most definitely consider buying another Avalon.

I've always felt that the new generation ES and Avalon were so close to each other that it just comes down to personal preference. I prefer the exterior styling of the Avalon, except for the front end/grill which I just can't warm up to. I prefer the interior styling, and front end/grill of the ES.

In their Road Tests Consumer Reports rated them very close. Avalon V6 (85), ES350 (80). Avalon Hybrid (86), ES300h (82)