The results of a complete re-design may have people mistaking the 2013 Avalon for a luxurious Lexus. Toyota’s flagship sedan features a top-notch interior. The cabin handily conveys an upscale look with soft-touch materials and a mix of soothing and expressive color themes. New front seats enable a taller occupant to position the seat further rearward as well as have more seat height adjustment than what was possible with the 2012 sedan. Design revisions to the body structure and elsewhere on the car helped the all-new 2013 Avalon drop more than 100 pounds compared to the prior year model.

Front wheel drive Avalon is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that releases 268 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 248 pounds-feet of torque at 4700 rpm. Engine mates to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 111-inch wheelbase Avalon’s chassis is 23% more rigid in the rear (12% more rigid overall) than the 2012 model. During a one-week test drive, the Avalon handled exceedingly well in a variety of driving situations (including curves), and the ride was quiet and comfortable. Bags, boxes, and other items nicely fit inside Avalon’s 16 cubic foot trunk. The 2013 Avalon XLE Premium collects estimated mpg of 21 city and 31 highway and carries a MSRP of $33,195.