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2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid

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Make
Toyota
Model
Avalon Hybrid
Year
2018
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Toyota Avalon Hybrid OEM Exterior Photo
Interior Profile
OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2018 XLE Plus 4dr Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $37,500
2018 XLE Premium 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $38,950
2018 Limited 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $42,800

Overview

Since Ford’s LTD in 1965, entry-level brands have been fielding near-premium sedans. The LTD may have long ago went the way of eight-track tapes, but big, well-optioned sedans built by mass-market automakers live on, albeit precariously. Yet despite the shrinking relevance of the niche, Toyota remains committed to the segment with its evergreen Avalon. It offers buyers features aplenty in a package boasting traditional comfort and size, a formula that carries on for 2018. The Avalon Hybrid elevates the big Toyota's persona by adding to the mix a fuel efficient gas/electric hybrid powertrain.

What's New for 2018

The Avalon Hybrid quietly motors into 2018 largely unaltered, save for a slight change in trim level nomenclature. Toyota introduced a redesigned Avalon at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, with sales slated to begin in spring 2018.

Toyota Avalon Hybrid

Choosing Your Toyota Avalon Hybrid

Buyers can outfit their parsimonious Avalon in one of three trims: XLE Plus, XLE Premium and Limited. Regardless of the level of equipment and ornamentation, all Avalon Hybrids sport a 2.5-liter four cylinder that is mated to an electric motor. The result of this marriage is a combined 200 horsepower sent to the front wheels through an electric continuously variable transmission. For added efficiency, an EV drive mode allows drivers to operate in purely electric mode for short distances under 20 mph. Fuel economy for the hybrid is an impressive 40 miles per gallon city, 39 highway, and 40 combined.

Three interior hues and a variety of exterior paints are available, including the lavishly named Oh La La Rouge, Crème Brulee and Sizzling Crimson. Topping off the exterior aesthetics are the standard 17-inch wheels, finished in either dark gray for XLE Plus and Premium models or more traditional chrome for the top-spec Limited.

On the safety side of things, all flavors of Avalon come with ten airbags, braking assist and smart-stop brake override, as well as the expected ABS and stability control.

Of the three Avalon Hybrid trims, there's not a single optional extra.

Toyota Avalon Hybrid

XLE Plus

The entry-level trim for the Hybrid is the $38,395 XLE Plus. Buyers will not be wanting for standard features, as this base trim includes leather seats, an eight-way driver’s seat and four-way power passenger seat, leather-trimmed steering wheel, remote illuminated entry, dynamic-range cruise control, dual-zone climate control, and a seven-inch infotainment center with eight speakers. Along with all this, it also includes a power tilt/slide moonroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, map lights and HomeLink transmitter.

Toyota Avalon Hybrid

XLE Premium

The Hybrid XLE Premium runs for $39,845, and adds wireless smartphone charging, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, and memory functions for the driver’s seat and outside mirrors, as well as a premium audio and infotainment system featuring nine speakers along with Toyota’s App Suite and integrated navigation.

Toyota Avalon Hybrid

Limited

The Hybrid Limited costs $42,695 and represents the most expensive Avalon. All Limited models boast a ten-way driver’s seat with power lumbar support, eight-way power passenger seat, perforated leather, heated rear seats, power rear-window sunshade, premium JBL 11-speaker audio system, navigation, HID headlights and LED DRLs, as well as three-zone climate control. Buyers will also find a one-year complimentary subscription to Toyota's Safety Connect service.

CarsDirect Tip

The Hybrid Limited is priced right in the mechanically identical - and more prestigious - Lexus ES territory; in fact, an ES Hybrid only costs an additional $120 more once the destination charge is factored in. Because of this, buyers shouldn't go past the XLE Premium, which gives buyers an excellent amount of content at a price point still a few thousand below the Lexus.

Get your price on a Toyota Avalon Hybrid »

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Writer

The 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, the fuel efficiency leader of the lineup, offers a controlled and supple ride, modern design, roomy interior, and a wide range of advanced safety features. But handling is far from sporty, the bland interior can't match the contemporary exterior, and upper trims are priced dangerously close to Lexus territory.

Best Value

Prices for the 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid range from $38,395 for the Hybrid XLE Plus to over $44,000 for a Hybrid Limited model. Base models include 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, a moonroof, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and seating (heated in front), keyless push-button start, and a seven-inch touchscreen. Toyota Safety Sense P is also standard and includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning with steering assist.

With a single drivetrain and with upper trims offering few things of consequence to entice (memory seats, wireless charging, navigation, perforated leather seats, and heated rear seats) and priced dangerously close to the Lexus ES 300h, we'd go for the entry-level Hybrid XLE Plus model. Here's how we'd build it:

  • Model: 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid XLE Plus
  • Engine/Drive Unit: 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine / 60-hp electric motor / 1.6-kWh nickel-metal hydride battery pack
  • Output: 156 hp (engine), 141 hp (electric motor), 200 hp(system net) / 156 lb-ft (engine), 199 lb-ft (electric motor)
  • Transmission: CVT automatic
  • Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
  • Fuel Economy: 40 City / 39 Highway
  • Options: None
  • Base Price: $38,395 (including a $895 destination charge)
  • Best Value Price: $38,395

Performance

Toyota Avalon Hybrid

The hybrid powertrain offers acceptable acceleration courtesy of the main electric motor, while the ride manages to be firm without being harsh. The Toyota Avalon Hybrid has excellent fuel economy, returning an EPA-estimated 40 miles per gallon in the city, 39 on the highway, and 40 combined.

At the same time, the ride is hardly sporty. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder can sound harsh when you put your foot into it, the transition between friction and regenerative braking isn't entirely seamless, and an all-wheel-drive system isn't offered.

Interior and Exterior

The Avalon's contemporary exterior is wrapped around an interior that offers plenty of leg and head room for five adults to travel in comfort, courtesy of a long wheelbase and generous seats. Its trunk houses 14 cubic feet of space – only two less than the non-hybrid – for plenty of luggage room. An acoustic windshield and side glass contribute to a hushed ride even at highway speeds.

At the same time, the front fascia is far too aggressive for a hybrid, while the simple interior doesn't reflect the exterior's graceful touches. The wide seats also lack sufficient bolstering, and the hybrid also loses the versatility of a rear-seat pass-through. The low roofline requires a small duck to reach the rear seats, and traditional dashboard knobs and buttons have been replaced by less-tactile touch-sensitive controls.

The Best and Worst Things

The Avalon Hybrid's combination of excellent fuel economy, smooth ride, and advanced safety tech is enticing. We only wish its slick exterior design carried over into the cabin, and that upper trims weren't priced so closely to comparable Lexus models.

Right For? Wrong For?

Toyota Avalon Hybrid

With classic looks, excellent fuel economy, and luxury touches on base models priced thousands less than a Lexus, the Avalon Hybrid should appeal to eco- and value-conscious luxury buyers.

With an ungainly-looking front fascia and ride and handling geared toward comfort rather than fun, the Avalon could prove to be a turn off for both style-conscious and enthusiast buyers.

The Bottom Line

Despite a bland interior, sedate handling and performance, and a top trim sticker price that can surpass the entry-level Lexus ES 300h, the 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid's comfortable ride, roomy interior, excellent fuel economy, and standard advanced safety features make it a top pick in its class.

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L I-4 / 156 HP / 156 ft.lbs.
Transmission
2-spd CVT w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
40 / 39 / 40 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L I-4 / 156 HP / 156 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
40 / 39 / 40 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Strut
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
17.0 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$65
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
14.0 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
102 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
195.3 "
Exterior Width
72.2 "
Exterior Height
57.5 "
Front Headroom
37.6 "
Rear Headroom
37.9 "
Front Legroom
42.1 "
Rear Legroom
39.2 "
Front Shoulder Room
58.2 "
Rear Shoulder Room
57.0 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,638 Lbs.
Wheel Base
111 "
Turning Radius
20.0 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
17.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Leather
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
(4-way Power)
Front Armrests
(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center With Pass-thru
Rear Seats
Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
8
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Express Open/close
Rearview Mirror
Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
3
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver And Passenger
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Rear Side-impact Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Toyota Safety Sense P Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Alert (lda) W/steering Assist Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Pre Collision System With Pedestrian Detection Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Vehicle Sway Warning Driver Attention
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
24 Months / 25,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months
24 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

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