Used 2021 Toyota Avalon for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Toyota Avalon cost?

Prices are up 3.86% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 210 listings available, which suggests you have some room to compare options.

If you find a listing below $26,546.76, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Toyota Avalon a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Toyota Avalon earns 4.33/5 from owners and 6/10 from expert testing. The model scores 7/10 across Look and feel, Technology, and Safety.

Drivers consistently praise its luxurious features, smooth ride, spacious interior, and comfortable seating. The TRD version also gets repeated credit for stronger performance and more personality. On the other hand, some owners wish it had more convenience features for the price.

That lines up with the Avalon’s role as a roomy, more upscale alternative to the Camry, while still stopping short of Lexus-level refinement. It also fits shoppers who want a comfortable sedan with a premium feel in a shrinking segment.

With 29.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, you can still find attractive pricing if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Toyota Avalon reliable?

Owners rate it 4.33/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

Drivers describe it as dependable, comfortable, and a car they can count on over time, with repeated praise for its smooth, trouble-free feel and strong overall satisfaction. The expert testing also points to a composed, predictable driving character that supports confidence in daily use.

Toyota also includes free scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, which helps reduce early ownership costs.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the car was maintained well and equipped the way you want.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Toyota Avalon?

At 73.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a close inspection of bodywork, paint consistency, and signs of prior repair. It also makes sense to focus on how the car was equipped, since some versions add meaningful comfort, tech, and safety equipment while others leave out desirable features.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The XLE and Limited are the comfort-focused choices, while the XSE Nightshade, XSE Hybrid, Touring, and TRD lean sportier. The base versions can feel less special, and the lower trims miss some of the richer cabin touches found higher up.
• Powertrain: You can get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with AWD, a standard 301-hp 3.5-liter V6, or a hybrid setup that can return up to 44 mpg in combined driving. The four-cylinder is the least exciting choice, while the TRD is the one to seek if you want the most character.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense-P is standard and includes full-speed-range adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also standard, while the optional Advanced Safety Package adds a surround-view camera system, parking assist sonar, and rear automatic braking.
• Infotainment: Every Avalon gets a 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and Toyota connected services. The upgraded system adds dynamic navigation and voice recognition with over-the-air updates during the trial period, plus a 14-speaker JBL audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD four-cylinder test car returned 28 mpg in combined driving, and the hybrid is rated at up to 44 mpg in combined driving.

Which 2021 Toyota Avalon trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota Avalon is offered in 5 trim levels: XLE, XSE, Limited, Touring, TRD.

Here's the short version:

• XLE: This is the trim to start with if you want the Avalon’s comfort-first personality and the available AWD setup. It gives you the core upscale sedan experience without pushing you into the sportier or pricier versions.
• XSE: Choose this if you want a more aggressive look and a little more attitude without going all the way to the TRD. It suits you if style matters as much as comfort.
• Limited: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the most premium-feeling cabin details, including richer materials and available upscale touches. It’s the one to target if you want the Avalon to feel closest to a near-luxury sedan.
• Touring: Pick this if you want a sportier setup than the comfort-oriented trims, but you do not need the full TRD character. It’s for buyers who want a more expressive Avalon without making the jump to the most performance-focused version.
• TRD: This is the trim for you if you want the Avalon’s strongest personality, with extra performance and style. It stands apart as the enthusiast choice in the lineup.

Toyota Safety Sense-P is standard, but lower trims are held back by weaker headlight performance that keeps the Avalon from earning a Top Safety Pick award.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Toyota Avalon?

Act selectively, because this is still a seller’s market even though there are some good opportunities if you know what to look for.

• Deal availability: 29.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 210 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 3.86% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 73.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $26,546.76, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Toyota Avalon's resale value?

The current average of $29,381 sits slightly above last year's $28,291.

That upward move suggests the Avalon is holding value reasonably well for a large sedan, especially in a market where supply is limited and demand is still present. If you buy carefully, you may be able to preserve more value than you would with a weaker-priced alternative.

The model’s niche appeal also helps: it offers a roomy, upscale feel that some shoppers still want even as SUVs dominate. That can support future demand if you decide to sell later.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.33/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota Avalon safe?

It earns an overall five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and top scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Toyota Safety Sense-P is standard, and it includes full-speed-range adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also standard, and the optional Advanced Safety Package adds a surround-view camera system, parking assist sonar, and rear automatic braking.

One important caveat is that lower trim levels are held back by poor headlight performance, which keeps the Avalon from qualifying for a Top Safety Pick award.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Avalon or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 29.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 3.86% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds AWD availability and updated tech, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $27,889, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $29,381 average.
• It offers a revitalized TNGA-platform Avalon with strong safety credentials and a spacious, flagship feel.

The bottom line: If you want the newer tech, AWD availability, and the strongest year-specific mix of features, the 2021 is the better pick. If your priority is saving money, the 2020 is the smarter value play and still delivers the Avalon’s core strengths.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.