2004 Toyota Avalon XLS W/Bench Seat 3.0 V6
Summary:
About as close to perfection as you can get for the money
Faults:
Needs shocks/struts. Currently makes a whiny noise usually between the 25mph-40mph range. Quiets down on the freeway.
On one occasion during extremely cold weather (-0) the transmission produced a hard shift when accelerating. Transmission checked and OK. Toyota dealer re-flashed the ECU. Hard shift has not occurred since.
General Comments:
A big upgrade from even a Camry XLE. Many of the same features, but with more room, a bit more fanciness and complexity and way more sound deadening materials used. The interior is very nice, with the kind of quality like the Toyota's of old. Very solid door panels, dash, and seats. The leather seems a tad more durable than that of my 1999 Camry, but time will tell. Exterior is understated and dignified, and though it may not turn heads, it does exude a bit of distinction. Mine is in Phantom Gray Metallic with a gray leather interior. It has the bench seat configuration which I enjoy a lot more than I thought I would. I am tall, so it's nice to have that open space right of my leg on long drives.
People often compared these models to a Buick, and while I think that the comparison is fair, I found the fit and finish and overall package to be a few cuts above Buick, even though they can be very nice cars themselves. The Avalon feels special, in its own class. Not quite as pedestrian as Camry. It's more on par with the Lexus ES. Save for a few minor niceties such as the electronic gas release button found in an ES is still a cable lever on the floor in the Avalon, but still a very nice automobile.
Long features list including power windows, locks, engine immobilizer, information display, automatic climate control, cruise control, vehicle stability control, traction control, fog lamps, heated front seats, memory seats and full power front seats. Large trunk with cargo net and grocery hooks, and a pass through for long items to extend into the car through the middle of the seat.
With the bench, you lose the lumbar support for the driver because of the way the arm rest is anchored into the seat, but the seats are well bolstered enough that I don't really need it. The wood grain steering wheel is a nice touch and feels good in my hands. I wish though, that Toyota would have put the paddle style cruise control lever on the steering wheel, like they do in mostly everything else (Even Lexuses had this) instead of the more traditional fixed button pad next to the horn, but I've gotten used to it. Auto lamps are also a nice feature. Just set em and forget em!
Lots of room and very quiet and stable at highway speeds. Fuel economy is about what I would expect for a large car of this size and engine choice. It's not terrible, but it won't blow you away either.
Good acceleration and road manners. Perfect for long trips. Just a pleasure to drive, and the slow changing Toyota styling still appears fairly up to date in spite of the age of these models.
There are a lot of cars out there, but so far the Avalon has proven itself to be reliable and comfortable with a few creature comforts included. You really can't go wrong in my opinion. With the low mileage and proper care, it's a car that will probably last me a good while to come. Prior to this I had a 1992 Camry and a 1999 Camry. Both great cars, but I could feel some of the decontenting in the 1999 after giving up the '92. This Avalon, with its high content and attention to detail feels a lot like the '92. Just a really solidly built car where the quality is apparent and appreciated.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 26th March, 2020
11th Dec 2021, 00:46
I thought that was unique, making a bench seat in the Avalon. They stopped after the 2005; wish they'd continued; it was started with first generation. I used love bench seats in cars when I was little; think it was more useful than having a console between the driver and passenger seat.
2nd Sep 2021, 04:46
It's been nearly two years, and I still enjoy this car a lot. Over the long term, my only real complaint is about the brake assist system. In situations when the driver taps the pedal rapidly but not with as much force as the system thinks you should use, it essentially "pre-brakes" the car so to speak. This means that it's already applying that force that the computer thinks you should, but it can still be unnerving at times in freeway traffic because when it pre applies the force, it gives you the driver this weird sensation, almost feels that the brakes aren't working to be honest, but they are. Because of this, I find you have to play "catch up" in a way to the system, so you hit the pedal harder but then it takes all the finesse out of making a complete stop, so you come to a sudden abrupt halt as you feel the system hit that final mark during the stop. It's like it jerks the car to a stop. It's hard to explain if you have not experienced it. Needless to say, I usually just try and keep my distance so that I don't have to do much "panic braking". It also seems that when you feel that engage, you can release the brake pedal and reapply and it cancels it out. A bit of technological overkill in my opinion, but there you have it. I also find at times hitting a bump when engaging the brakes seems to kick it into assist mode, which can be annoying depending on conditions. Have spoken with Toyota in town when I had some recall work done. Everything I have specified falls into the category of "normal" with this system, according to them.
Other than that I do enjoy the car. Very Lexus like in quality and content. Not as common as Camrys so you feel a bit more like you aren't just blending into the crowd.
I've done a lot of reading up online about others who don't like brake assist. Toyota has been putting it in their cars for a few decades now, but it's my first Toyota to have this feature and it's not at the top of my list. I like everything else about this car, but I wish it had the brake system of my 1999 Camry XLE V6 or even my 1992 Camry LE V6. Simple and effective systems, and never once did I feel any unnerving sensations. Had the full power of the brakes as needed and could feel that I was in tune with the brakes when needed. The computer does not allow you to have all the feedback from the brakes you would have had in older models.
Again, love the Avalon XLS, and will probably keep it for a long while as I have low mileage. I just try and drive with caution to avoid any issues with this system.