2008 Toyota Avalon

*Est. $27,075 to $34,415

Pros

Above-average reliability and safety ratings
Quiet and attractive highway cruiser
Comfortable cabin
Fuel economy

Cons

More refined than fun to drive
Soft suspension

Our Analysis

The Toyota Avalon is one of the most consistently praised large family sedans on the market today. Its careful design and spacious interior ensure that it can seat five adults without evoking comparisons to a sardine can. Cabin storage is plentiful, fit and finish are impressive, and controls are logical and nicely laid out. Steering is precise (though a little light for some tastes) and the Toyota Avalon sports a surprisingly taut turning circle for its size. The Avalon posts perfect five-star results in government crash testing. Reviewers note that the Avalon's fuel economy is better than average for its class, and is even superior to some smaller sedans'.

A few articles do highlight some drawbacks. The rather soft suspension can induce some float on all but the Touring version, and the nose-heavy Avalon tends to dive a bit during abrupt stops. Cargo space is compromised by the rear wheel housings and trunk hinges, and the reclining feature on the rear seats prevents them from folding down. The Toyota Avalon is one of the more expensive large sedans, but most reviewers claim that when compared with rivals such as the Chevrolet Impala (*est. $21,365 to $28,345) or Nissan Maxima (*est. $28,270 to $30,520), it's money well spent.

Review coverage for the 2008 Toyota Avalon is both plentiful and helpful. We found reviews at two of our most consistently credible sources, Consumer Reports magazine and ConsumerGuide.com. Motor Trend and Car and Driver magazines each feature analysis of smaller-scale comparison testing involving Touring versions of the Toyota Avalon, though both of these articles date from earlier model years. Editors at Edmunds.com provide a detailed one-vehicle evaluation of the 2008 Avalon, with some informal comparison contained within.

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Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

One unique aspect to Consumer Reports' reviews is their analysis of reliability, which makes forecasts based on past-model-year data from owner surveys. The evaluation here also considers qualities such as ride quality, handling and safety.

Review: 2008 Toyota Avalon Review, Editors of Consumer Reports

2. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com takes most of the top-selling vehicles on the market and conducts road testing, then rates each one against a class average. The 2008 Toyota Avalon is named a "Best Buy," with especially strong showings in the area of class-related value.

Review: 2008 Toyota Avalon, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Sept. 26, 2008

3. Edmunds.com

Editors at Edmunds.com call the 2008 Avalon "the most refined, best-built full-size sedan in the under-$40,000 price bracket." They also include this model on their list of recommended sedans.

Review: 2008 Toyota Avalon Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

4. Motor Trend Details/Subscribe

This somewhat-outdated head-to-head comparison pits three 2006-model family cars against one another. Editors say the Toyota Avalon offers the best balance of handling and ride quality, earning the Avalon the top slot. The Avalon hasn't seen a significant redesign since this review was published, so it's still a helpful resource.

Review: Road Test: 2006 Hyundai Azera Limited vs. 2006 Toyota Avalon Touring vs. 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6L, Kim Reynolds

5. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

The Toyota Avalon seems a shoo-in for first place in this dated five-car comparison; evaluators praise nearly every detail of its performance and design. This review is still relevant to 2008 models, as the Toyota Avalon hasn't been extensively redesigned since 2005.

Review: 2005 Buick Lacrosse vs. Chrysler 300, Ford Five Hundred, Kia Amanti, Nissan Maxima, Toyota Avalon, Patrick Bedard, July 2005

6. Cars.com

Cars.com considers elements such as safety, practicality, comfort and performance for its annual compilation of "Best Bets." Consumers can follow links to more in-depth reviews, as well as view owner reviews and a side-by-side comparison tool. The Toyota Avalon gets a "Best Bet" award here.

Review: New Best Bets, Editors of Cars.com

2011 Honda Accord Base MSRP: $21,380 to $29,630

11 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2012 Ford Fusion Base MSRP: $19,850 to $29,000

8 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Ford Taurus Base MSRP: $25,555 to $38,155

8 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Toyota Avalon Base MSRP: $33,195 to $36,435

7 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Toyota Camry Base MSRP: $20,195 to $29,845

5 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Chevrolet Malibu Base MSRP: $21,975 to $27,165