The 1997 Toyota Avalon is a front-wheel-drive, four-door sedan designed to compete with other front-drive sedans, such as the Ford Taurus, Chevrolet Lumina, Pontiac Bonneville, and Dodge Intrepid. It seems Toyota did a stellar job, noting the standard safety and convenience features and peppy engine. Drivers get the satisfaction of smooth acceleration and easy handling, while passengers enjoy a comfortable ride with plenty of room. If Toyota’s reputation for reliability is factored in, it's a truly a tough act to beat, especially if the price is right.
The Range
Body Styles: sedan
Engines: 3.0-liter six-cylinder
Transmissions: four-speed automatic
Models: Toyota Avalon XL, Toyota Avalon XLS
What's New
The 1997 Toyota Avalon gets a more powerful engine, boasting a significant increase in horsepower and torque. A longer list of standard and optional features are available.
Exterior
The 1997 Toyota Avalon has approximately a 190-inch length, 70-inch width, 56-inch height, and 107-inch wheelbase. It has a modest design that is not flashy yet still attractive and efficient. It features color-keyed protective body-side moldings, body-colored front and rear impact-absorbing bumpers, aerodynamic halogen headlamps, power door mirrors, a solar-reflective windshield, and tinted glass. It has a curb weight of 3263 pounds and sits on 15-inch wheels.
Interior
The 1997 Toyota Avalon is roomy enough to comfortably fit five or six passengers. In the front, there are six-way adjustable cloth bucket seats with height-adjustable head restraints, divided by a console that includes a storage area and two cup holders. A bench seat is optional, which can seat three people and has a fold-down armrest and flip-out dual cup holders. There are pockets in the doors and bins on the seats for easy storage, and the dash contains logically-arranged gauges for clear readability and conveniently-located controls for easy use. In the rear, there is a cloth bench seat with integrated headrests and a fold-down armrest in the center. It also features power windows and locks, side window demisters, air-conditioning with manual controls, and an AM/FM stereo with a cassette player included and four speakers. Other optional features include leather seating, power front seats, and a CD player.
Performance & Handling
The 1997 Toyota Avalon comes packed with a three-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It's mated with a four-speed automatic transmission, which results in smooth acceleration that is equally powerful to competitors in the market. Zero to 60 mph can be accomplished in about eight seconds, which is a bit faster than the Crown Victoria from the same year.
The 1997 Toyota Avalon is built with an independent strut front and rear suspension with a stabilizer bar and coil springs. This setup provides a relatively smooth and stable ride. Handling is superb, giving drivers the ability to make quick maneuvers gracefully in traffic and take sharp corners with ease. Its variable-assist power steering system allows for precise control at all times.
Safety
The 1997 Toyota Avalon is equipped with anti-lock brakes on all four wheels. There are driver and front passenger front-impact airbags installed, and child safety locks are used on the rear doors.
EPA Fuel Economy
Toyota Avalon: 21/31 mpg city/highway
You'll Like
- Very reliable
- Roomy interior
- Good gas mileage
You Won't Like
- Factory sound system
- Dull appearance
- Lacks low-end power
Sum Up
Toyota’s flagship does not disappoint.
If You Like This Vehicle
- Ford Crown Victoria
- Mercury Grand Marquis
- Chrysler LHS
- Buick LeSabre
- Oldsmobile Regency