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The Avalon lost out to
the Lucerne in the last IFCAR comparison in which they competed, because the
Lucerne offered both ride comfort and reasonable agility. In this comparison,
optimum comfort, refinement, and quality take precedence over all-around
goodness, which combined with the slightly firmer suspension of the CXS
Lucerne to let the Avalon nudge it out for the win. It could almost be called
a tie. But with its smooth and comfortable (if occasionally floaty) ride that
is more silent than the Buick’s, with its higher quality and higher-style
interior, its extra power and extra gas mileage, its higher crash test scores,
and its extra features for less money, the Avalon ended up on the top.
The
Avalon has a very comfortable absorbent ride that provides road isolation on
par with some luxury sedans that cost twice as much. However, the Avalon is
more prone to ride float than those cars, and than the Lexus ES350 or Buick
Lucerne. The Avalon handles more clumsily than either of those cars as well,
with excessive body roll and a generally lazy feel. The standard 3.5-liter V6,
shared with the ES350, provides acceleration that is effortless and evident
despite a clear attempt to subdue any hint of an invigorating engine note.
Wind and road noise are also isolated, and the engine is nearly silent at
cruise. And despite its excellent acceleration, the Avalon gets the best gas
mileage in this group, even better than the smaller ES350.
Inside, the Avalon has very comfortable front
seats, with plenty of extra space on a large, well-shaped, comfortable seats.
There is insufficient lateral support, however. The rear is roomy,
well-shaped, and very comfortable, and a middle occupant will be more
comfortable than in the other cars here.
 The interior uses
high-quality materials that fit together very well, though the pointless
plastic covers for audio and climate controls are don’t always lock properly,
and it is best to leave them folded out of the way anyway to access those
instruments. Once revealed, the instruments are simple to use and well-placed,
and the gauges are very clear. As in the ES350, most audio functions are
independent of the navigation system. Drivers sit comfortably and have very
good visibility. The wide door openings and roomy footwells lead to very easy
entry/exit. The trunk is fairly well-shaped, but the smallest in this group.
It is closer in size to a subcompact Toyota Yaris’s than to any other vehicle
in this group but the midsize Lexus’s.
The Avalon reviewed here
was slightly less expensive than the Lucerne at $34,960, and includes more
features. Unlike the Buick, it has a 6-disc CD changer and a telescoping
steering column, as well as a keyless entry and start function, rain-sensing
wipers, and a driver knee airbag. It does not have the Lucerne’s OnStar
system, its tire pressure monitor, or its rear-obstacle detection sensors,
however.
Overall, the Avalon
provides an excellent combination of comfort, luxury, refinement, and value.
The Lucerne offers better seats and better handling, and the ES350 offers even
more quality and refinement. The DTS and Town Car cost more than the top two
without sufficient advantages and many detriments. All five cars in this group
offer the comfort and refinement that so many cars in this price range are
moving away from, any of the top three does an impressive job, and the Avalon
does it the best for the money.
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