Used 2021 Toyota Avalon for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Toyota Avalon cost?

Prices have held steady compared to this time last year, signaling a stable and predictable market for this model year.

There are 173 listings available, which suggests a modest amount of inventory for shoppers comparing options.

Is the 2021 Toyota Avalon a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Toyota Avalon earns a 4.3/5 user rating and a 6.00/10 expert rating. The model scores 7/10 across Look and feel, Technology, and Safety.

Drivers consistently praise its luxurious features, smooth ride, spacious interior, comfortable seating, and strong performance, especially from the TRD version. The main trade-offs are its underwhelming base engine and outdated technology, along with the fact that all-wheel drive is only available with the I-4 engine.

For you, that means the Avalon makes the most sense if you want a roomy, comfortable sedan with a premium feel and a more distinctive role than a typical mainstream family car. With 33.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still some room to shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Toyota Avalon reliable?

Owners rate it 4.3/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with drivers highlighting the car’s safety attributes, smooth ride, and overall satisfaction over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes predictable handling, comfortable ride quality, and strong powertrain isolation, which supports the sense that it is easy to live with day to day.

Toyota also includes free scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles of driving, which helps reduce early ownership costs. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the specific car has been maintained well and avoided prior damage.

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

At 69.4% 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. Because the model’s value can vary meaningfully by trim and equipment, it also makes sense to confirm that the features you want are actually present on the specific car you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The XLE and Limited are the comfort-focused choices, while the XSE Nightshade, XSE Hybrid, Touring, and TRD bring sportier styling; the base trim can miss some of the more upscale touches.
• Powertrain: Toyota offers a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 205 horsepower for AWD models, a standard 301-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, and a 215-horsepower hybrid; the four-cylinder is efficient enough, but it is not especially exciting.
• 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 model gets a 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and Toyota connected services; the upgraded system adds dynamic navigation, voice recognition, over-the-air updates during the trial period, and a 14-speaker JBL audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD four-cylinder returns 28 mpg in combined driving, and the hybrid can achieve up to 44 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Toyota Avalon trim should I buy?

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

Here's the short version:

• XLE: This is the most practical starting point if you want the Avalon’s comfort and standard safety content without paying for extra appearance or performance upgrades. It also gives you access to the AWD four-cylinder setup.
• Limited: This is the best-value choice if you want the Avalon to feel more upscale, with richer interior materials and available premium equipment that better matches the car’s near-luxury mission.
• XSE Nightshade: Choose this if you want the sportier look and blacked-out styling, but you should expect the emphasis to be more on appearance than on a major mechanical change.
• Touring: This trim is for you if you want a more driver-focused feel and a sportier setup than the comfort-oriented models.
• TRD: This is the enthusiast pick, since it adds the most performance-oriented character and the extra style that stands out most clearly in the lineup.

Toyota Safety Sense-P is standard across the lineup, but the lower trims are noted for poorer headlight performance, which keeps them from qualifying for a Top Safety Pick award.

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

This is a moderate market, so you can shop selectively without expecting a deep buyer’s market.

• Deal availability: 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 173 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 69.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $26,547, 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 $27,239 sits slightly above last year's $27,207.

That small increase suggests the Avalon has held its value fairly steadily rather than swinging sharply in either direction. For a future seller, that kind of stability is helpful because it points to a market that is neither overheating nor collapsing.

The model’s appeal as a roomy, comfortable sedan also helps support demand among shoppers who want something less common than an SUV. Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.3/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota Avalon safe?

The Avalon earns an overall five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and it receives 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, while the optional Advanced Safety Package adds a surround-view camera system, parking assist sonar, and rear automatic braking.

One caveat is that lower trim levels have poor headlight performance, which affects award eligibility. That means you should pay close attention to the exact trim and lighting equipment on any used example you’re considering.

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:

• 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 69.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds all-wheel drive availability with the four-cylinder engine and brings Android Auto into the infotainment mix.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $26,724, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $27,239 average.
• It offers a spacious cabin and strong safety content.

The bottom line: If you want the newer model-year features and a stable market, the 2021 is the better primary choice. If your priority is saving money and you can live with the older year’s setup, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path.

How does the 2021 Toyota Avalon compare to the 2021 Honda Accord?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Toyota Avalon:

• Pros: Comfortable, Spacious, TRD trim adds extra performance and style.
• Cons: All-wheel drive only available with the I-4 engine, Underwhelming base engine, Outdated technology.

2021 Honda Accord:

• Pros: Stylish design, Great handling, Spacious.
• Cons: All-wheel drive not available, Outdated technology.

Our experts score the 2021 Toyota Avalon 6/10 and the 2021 Honda Accord 9.2/10. The Avalon is the more comfort-focused, upscale-feeling sedan, while the Accord is the stronger all-around pick thanks to its handling and broader appeal. The Avalon does offer a more distinctive large-sedan experience, but the Accord’s lower price and better expert score make it the easier recommendation for most shoppers.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.