Used 2021 Toyota Avalon for Sale nearPhoenix, AZ

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 172 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2021 Toyota Avalon a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Toyota Avalon earns a 4.3/5 user rating and a 6/10 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. In practical terms, that lines up well with its role as a roomy, comfortable sedan that sits above a mainstream midsize car without fully becoming a luxury model. The main trade-offs are its underwhelming base engine and outdated technology, which matter more if you want a more modern-feeling daily driver. Even so, the market still shows 29.1% good or great deals, which suggests there are worthwhile opportunities if you 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 comfortable ride and strong overall satisfaction over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes the Avalon’s quiet, predictable, and secure road manners, which supports the impression of a car you can count on for regular use. 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 that a well-equipped sedan like this can still become expensive to keep if neglected, so condition and service history matter.

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

At 69.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important on a car like this because you want to verify body condition, electronics, and safety-system operation before you commit. Focus on signs of uneven wear, incomplete repairs, and any issues that could affect the Avalon’s comfort or premium feel.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The XLE and Limited models are the comfort-focused choices, while the XSE Nightshade, XSE Hybrid, Touring, and TRD bring a sportier look; the TRD is the performance-tuned version, and lower trims can miss some of the more upscale interior touches.
• Powertrain: The Avalon offers three powertrains, including a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 205 horsepower, a 301-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, and a 215-horsepower hybrid; the four-cylinder is the one paired with AWD, 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 Avalon has a 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, 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 premium sound 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 Nightshade, XSE Hybrid, Touring, and TRD.

Here's the short version:

• XLE: This is the most sensible starting point if you want the Avalon’s comfort, space, and standard safety tech without paying for extra styling or performance upgrades.
• XSE Nightshade: Choose this if you want a darker, more aggressive look and a sportier appearance without moving all the way to the performance-focused trim.
• XSE Hybrid: This is the efficiency-minded choice if you want the hybrid powertrain and still want the Avalon’s roomy, upscale character.
• Touring: This trim suits you if you want a more athletic feel and a more distinctive setup than the comfort-first models.
• TRD: This is the best pick if you want the Avalon’s strongest personality, since it adds extra performance and style and stands out as the enthusiast choice.

Toyota Safety Sense-P is standard across the lineup, but lower trims can miss some of the more sophisticated features found in other Toyota sedans.

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

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right car.

• Deal availability: 29.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 172 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 69.8% 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 $27,461 sits slightly above last year's $27,254.

That small increase suggests the Avalon has held its value fairly steadily rather than swinging sharply up or down. For you as a future seller, that kind of stability is useful because it points to a market that is still willing to pay for the car’s comfort and size. The steady pricing also suggests that well-kept examples should remain relatively easy to position when you decide to sell.

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 2021 Toyota Avalon 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 caveat is that poor headlight performance on lower trims keeps the Avalon from earning 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:

• 29.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 69.8% 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 AWD availability with the four-cylinder and brings Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the Avalon lineup.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $27,179, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $27,461 average.
• It marked the Avalon’s 25th birthday and benefited from the TNGA platform update.

The bottom line: If you want the newer model-year setup with steady pricing and strong owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the better default choice. If your priority is saving money and you’re comfortable giving up some of the 2021 updates, the 2020 is the more price-sensitive 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 leans into comfort, space, and a more upscale feel, while the Accord brings stronger overall appeal with better handling and a lower starting price. If you want a larger, more relaxed sedan, the Avalon makes sense; if you want the more well-rounded choice, the Accord is the stronger pick.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.