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2008 Toyota Avalon Review
Smooth, quiet, high-quality sedan.
2008 Avalon Review Summary & Specifications
The 2008 Toyota Avalon is one of the best full-size sedans going, regardless of price. The Avalon delivers the latest safety technology, and driving it is a pleasant, almost serene experience. Given its size and the space inside, it gets fine fuel mileage. A test drive might leave you wondering why anyone seeking a smooth, quiet, roomy sedan would pay more than it takes to buy an Avalon.NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent J.P. Vettraino reported from Detroit. John Stewart contributed to this report from Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.
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| Vehicle Category | Fullsize Cars |
| Editor | J.P. Vettraino |
| Model Lineup | Toyota Avalon XL ($27,375); Touring ($29,325); XLS ($31,375); Limited ($34,415) |
| Engines (standard) | 3.5-liter dual overhead-cam 24-valve V6 with variable valve timing |
| Transmissions (standard) | 6-speed automatic with sequential manual shift feature |
| Engines (optional) | 268-hp 3.5 liter V6 |
| Transmissions (optional) | 6-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | front-impact airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger side-impact airbags, curtain-style head protection airbags for all outboard seats, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), tire pressure monitor |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | Vehicle Stability Control with traction control and Brake Assist ($650) |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Georgetown, Kentucky |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-GO-TOYOTA |
| Manufacturer URL | www.toyota.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 27325 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Toyota Avalon XLS ($31,375) |
| Standard Equipment | power moonroof, leather-trimmed eight-way power driver and four-way power front-passenger seats, reclining rear seats with locking trunk pass-through, wood grain trim, dual-zone climate control with air filtration, remote keyless entry, power windows with one-touch operation for driver and front passenger, cruise control, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and Homelink universal transceiver, Optitron instruments with chrome accents, AM-FM stereo with nine speakers and in-dash six-CD changer, tilt-telescope steering wheel with audio and climate controls, heated outside mirrors with electrochromic auto-dimming on driver's side, aluminum door scuff plates, integrated fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels with full-size spare |
| Destination Charge | 775 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | JBL Synthesis 360-watt audio ($940) with 12 speakers and Blue Tooth connectivity; XM satellite radio kit ($449); eight-way power adjustable passenger seat ($740) with variable seat heating; Vehicle Stability Control ($650) with traction control and Brake Assist; carpeted floor and trunk mats ($199) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Layout | front-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested | 35128 |
| Horse Power | 268 @ 6200 |
| Torque | 248 @ 4700 |
| Fuel Economy | 19/28 |
| Wheelbase | 111.0 |
| Length/Width/Height | 197.2/72.8/58.5 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 36.9 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.8/55.8/41.3 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.5/56.2/40.9 |
| Trunk Volume | 14.4 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | 1000 |
| Front Suspension | independent L-shaped control arms with MacPherson struts and anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension | independent dual-link with MacPherson struts and anti-roll bar |
| Ground Clearance | 5.3 |
| Curb Weight | 3570 |
| Stock Tires | P215/55R17 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/solid disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist |
| Fuel Capacity | 18.5 |
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