Used 2021 Toyota Avalon for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Toyota Avalon cost?

Prices are up 1.74% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 204 listings available, which suggests a modest amount of inventory for shoppers to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota Avalon a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Toyota Avalon earns a 4.33/5 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 in the TRD version. The Avalon’s large-cabin comfort and upscale feel also come through clearly in the overview, where it is positioned as a roomy, more premium sedan for buyers who still want a traditional car. On the downside, the expert notes point to an outdated technology experience and a value proposition that can be hard to justify against cheaper alternatives.

There are 37.7% good or great deals in the market, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota Avalon reliable?

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

The user summary points to a dependable-feeling ownership experience, with drivers highlighting safety, comfort, and a generally trouble-free impression. The expert drive notes reinforce that sense of durability by describing the Avalon as composed, stable, and secure over rough pavement, with predictable handling and a comfortable ride. Toyota also includes free scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, which can help reduce early ownership costs.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the car’s age, feature set, and value still fit your needs.

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

At 73% 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 matters here, especially if you are comparing cars with similar prices but different condition histories. Focus on the cabin, electronics, and safety equipment, since the Avalon’s appeal depends heavily on comfort and feature content.

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 a more aggressive look; the base trim can leave you with fewer premium touches.
• Powertrain: The Avalon offers a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with AWD, a standard 3.5-liter V6, and a hybrid setup; the four-cylinder is the least exciting, while the V6 and hybrid are the stronger-feeling options.
• 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, voice recognition, over-the-air updates during the trial period, and a 14-speaker JBL audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD four-cylinder is rated at 28 mpg in combined driving, and the hybrid can achieve 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, Limited, and TRD.

Here's the short version:

• XLE: This is the most practical starting point if you want the Avalon’s comfort, standard safety tech, and available AWD without paying for extra style or luxury upgrades.
• XSE Nightshade: Choose this if you want a darker, sportier appearance and prefer the more aggressive look over the calmer XLE presentation.
• XSE Hybrid: This is the efficiency-minded choice if you want the hybrid powertrain and the Avalon’s standard equipment without moving up to the pricier luxury trims.
• Limited: This is the best-value trim for shoppers who want the most upscale cabin experience, including the richer interior materials and available premium equipment.
• TRD: Pick this if you want the Avalon’s most distinctive personality, since it adds the strongest performance-and-style character in the lineup.

Toyota Safety Sense-P is standard across the range, but lower trims miss out on some of the more sophisticated driver-assistance features found elsewhere in the brand’s lineup.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 37.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 204 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 1.74% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 73.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $26,560, 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 $28,476 sits slightly above last year's $27,990.

That upward move suggests the Avalon is holding value reasonably well for a large sedan in a shrinking segment. If demand stays steady, sellers with clean history and strong condition should continue to benefit from the model’s relative scarcity and comfort-focused appeal. The fact that the market still shows a meaningful share of good or great deals also means pricing discipline matters if you want to maximize resale.

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?

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.

A key 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:

• 37.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 1.74% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It adds AWD availability and updated tech features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the lineup.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $28,223, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $28,476 average.
• It offers a revitalized full-size sedan feel with a spacious cabin and strong safety focus.

The bottom line: If you want the newer model-year advantages, the 2021 is the better all-around pick, especially if you value updated tech and the broader market selection. If your priority is saving money, the 2020 is the smarter path as long as you find one in strong condition and with the features you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.