2012 Toyota Avalon Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The 2012 Toyota Avalon is smooth, comfortable and classy, but don’t confuse that with dull or boring. Since the late 1990s the Toyota Avalon has been thought of as the upscale model in Toyota’s sedan family. It was also the first car made here in the U.S. The carryover design of the 2012 Toyota Avalon does not look substantially different. There are only a few changes to the front bumper and grille and taillight tinting. In 2012, the Avalon has risen to a higher level of luxury and comfort and should no longer be compared so closely to its sister car, the Camry. The Avalon is most noted for its upscale design, substantial legroom and safety features. The 2012 edition does not disappoint.
The 2012 Toyota Avalon comes in two trims, the base Avalon and the Limited, or XLS. Both come with a remarkable list of standard features that includes remote start, keyless entry, 17-inch alloy wheels, power locks and accessories, two-zone climate control, reclining rear seats, a telescoping steering wheel, multi-disc CD changer and a iPod/USB port. The Avalon XLS comes with 17-inch wheels, fog lamps, rain-sensing wiper blades, leather seats, wood trim, Bluetooth capability and heated mirrors.
The Toyota Avalon has a standard 268-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine that gets an estimated 19 mpg city/28 highway, an improvement over previous model years. The Avalon also has a 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The Avalon is known for its tight turning radius and light, uncomplicated steering. If you are looking for the really smooth ride the Avalon is known for, then the Limited XLS model is what you want.
Standard for both Avalon trims is an auto-dimming electrochromic rear-view mirror that incorporates a rear-view monitor that displays when the transmission is put in reverse. This includes on-screen back-up help for the driver. While this and many other of the Avalon’s features are attractive, it doesn’t have quite the full complement of premium-model items, such as advanced driving aids and real wood trim.
According to its promotional video, Toyota has a standard reclining rear seat as well as a “nearly flat” rear floor. These features are exclusive to the Avalon. Once you get past the cheesy pitchman, the rear passenger seat does appear to be incredibly roomy. The reclining rear seats are a luxury not to be missed. Toyota is marketing the Avalon as being a classy choice for a larger sedan. Clearly, it is on the right track with Bluetooth hands-free phone, WiFi, a 9- or 12-speaker JBL system and XM satellite radio (and don’t forget your subscription).
The safety features of the Avalon are what really set it apart from other sedans of its size - even the comparable Buick Lacrosse. Even though they are almost the same size and design, the Avalon has a slightly higher price, but for all its safety features and 5-star NHTSA rating, it is considered a better buy. The Avalon has standard front and side impact airbags as well as overhead airbags, and the XLS comes with driver knee airbags. Both Avalon trims have Toyota’s Star Safety System as a standard feature. It combines Toyota’s Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) antiskid system that fights sideways slides, an antilock braking system (ABS) that helps control emergency stops and traction control.
The 2012 Toyota Avalon is a good value for those who want an uptown car at a downtown price with down-to-earth features and comfort.
User reviews for 2012 Toyota Avalon
Write a review2012 Toyota Avalon Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 11 · 660 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: urethane
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.68
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: tilt
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: full-size
Spare Wheel
Rim type: aluminum alloy
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.2
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 15 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 6
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: jack · 4 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio · XM-ready satellite radio · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 11 · 660 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear · Shift knob trim: wood · Steering wheel trim: wood
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: air conditioning · Storage: door pockets · Sunshade: power rear window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.68
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: perforated
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: full-size
Spare Wheel
Rim type: aluminum alloy
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.2
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 15 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system w/voice activation · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: with safety reverse
