Just when it seemed Toyota

Just when it seemed Toyota had the Avalon’s sleepy, old-person-friendly image shook with a zesty redesign for 2013, along comes this hybrid variant to codger it right back up, right? But, lo, the Avalon hybrid doesn’t negate the cool points earned by the latest gas model. It is just as stylish as that version, and it is easily the belle of the big-sedan ball next to its only gas-electric competitor, Buick’s LaCrosse eAssist mild hybrid, and only asks that you sacrifice some acceleration and a little extra coin relative to the comparison-test-winning V-6 Avalon.



In place of the regular Avalon’s 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6, the hybrid gets the 156-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder and 141-hp electric motor combination employed by the Camry hybrid. A CVT-like planetary gearbox transfers the system’s combined 200 horsepower to the front wheels, and a 1.6-kWh nickel-metal-hydride battery pack provides juice while only eating two cubic feet of trunk space. As you’d expect, the less-powerful hybrid’s 8.4-second 0-to-60 time is 2.3 seconds slower than the V-6 model, but it feels adequate in normal traffic.

In exchange for being slightly slower than the V-6, the Avalon hybrid gives much better fuel economy. The EPA estimates the hybrid will return 40 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway—19 and 8 mpg higher than the gas model’s 21/31 ratings.

The fuel-economy story’s happy ending is partially provided by the hybrid’s EV-only mode. This locks the Avalon into electric-only operation up to around 20 mph for up to 1 mile, according to Toyota. With a fully charged battery (confirmed by the dashboard screen’s power flow display), we managed 2.6 dizzy, fossil-fuel-less miles circling our office parking lot on electric power. There are three other manually selectable drive modes: Normal is the default, Sport summons sharper throttle tuning and heavier steering effort for friskier moments, and Eco dulls throttle inputs and meters the A/C compressor to enhance efficiency.

Staying in EV mode—especially from a stop—demands a gentle right foot and a heaping helping of patience. We found that the Avalon could maintain up to 45 mph on electric power alone, but the engine is required to reach that speed. Lift off the accelerator while at a steady, sub-50-mph cruise on level ground or down a hill, and the electric motor takes over; gently step back onto the gas and you can sail along on electrons alone. A low battery, a grade, or abrupt throttle changes will reawaken the engine.

Abandon the eco-conscious agenda, and the hybrid won’t bore you silly. Like the V-6 Avalon, the hybrid is far more engaging to drive than Avalons of yore, as well as every other hybrid Toyota offers, thanks to a less willowy structure, beefed-up suspension uprights, and increased roll stiffness. But even as the car is more reactive, it still maintains a comfortable and quiet ride. The well-built, Lexus-like interior is stylish, and the capacitive-touch dashboard controls are nicely executed and respond quickly.

Our top-of-the-line, $42,210 Limited test model included HID headlights, a power sunroof, three-zone automatic climate control, a seven-inch Entune infotainment screen, a backup camera, a 10-way power driver’s seat, an eight-way passenger seat, perforated leather seating surfaces (heated and ventilated in front; heated in back), pushbutton start, and a power rear sunshade.More information about the program is available on the web site at www.hmhid.com.