2016 Toyota Avalon

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$15,390–$31,986 Inventory Prices
(4.9) 45 reviews
2016 Toyota Avalon
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Key Specs

of the 2016 Toyota Avalon base trim shown

  • Body Type:
    Sedan See similar vehicles
  • Combined MPG:
    24 Combined MPG
  • Engine:
    268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 (regular gas)
  • Drivetrain:
    Front-wheel Drive
  • Transmission:
    6-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual
  • View more specs

Our Take

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

The Good

  • Upscale interior on all trim levels
  • Supportive front seats
  • Attractive styling
  • Low wind noise at highway speeds
  • Ride quality

The Bad

  • No folding rear seat
  • Touch-sensitive controls
2016 Toyota Avalon exterior side view

Notable Features of the 2016 Toyota Avalon

  • Refreshed midsize sedan seats five
  • Front-wheel drive
  • Available hybrid model
  • Two new suspensions, including sporty Touring
  • New electronic safety systems now available

2016 Toyota Avalon Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview

Toyota has given its full-size Avalon a mild makeover inside and out for 2016.

ExteriorChanges are limited to new front- and rear-end styling with a wider and lower front grille, new turn signals and redesigned LED taillights. The changes join updated 17- and 18-inch wheels, depending on which of five V-6 or three Hybrid trims you opt for. The look is the same for the XLE, XLE Plus, XLE Premium and Limited trims, only changing when you choose the Touring trim, when that front grille and bumper are replaced by a sportier version. There's also a new chrome rear bumper accent that all models now wear.

InteriorInside, all 2016 Avalons now get gray accent stitching with the light gray interior, while the XLE and XLE Plus trims get new woodgrain dashboard trim, the 7-inch Entune Audio Plus multimedia screen and a tire-specific tire-pressure monitoring system. The XLE Premium grade now adds Entune Premium audio with navigation and Toyota's app suite, as well as Qi wireless charging as standard. Upgrading to the top-of-the-line Limited brings a lot of optional safety equipment, including automatic high-beam headlights, radar-based dynamic cruise control, a collision warning system and lane departure alert.

Under the HoodThe powertrains are unchanged from the previous Avalon, with the same 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 as standard, powering the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. For the fuel-economy minded, the Hybrid version uses Toyota&a...

Vehicle Overview

Toyota has given its full-size Avalon a mild makeover inside and out for 2016.

ExteriorChanges are limited to new front- and rear-end styling with a wider and lower front grille, new turn signals and redesigned LED taillights. The changes join updated 17- and 18-inch wheels, depending on which of five V-6 or three Hybrid trims you opt for. The look is the same for the XLE, XLE Plus, XLE Premium and Limited trims, only changing when you choose the Touring trim, when that front grille and bumper are replaced by a sportier version. There's also a new chrome rear bumper accent that all models now wear.

InteriorInside, all 2016 Avalons now get gray accent stitching with the light gray interior, while the XLE and XLE Plus trims get new woodgrain dashboard trim, the 7-inch Entune Audio Plus multimedia screen and a tire-specific tire-pressure monitoring system. The XLE Premium grade now adds Entune Premium audio with navigation and Toyota's app suite, as well as Qi wireless charging as standard. Upgrading to the top-of-the-line Limited brings a lot of optional safety equipment, including automatic high-beam headlights, radar-based dynamic cruise control, a collision warning system and lane departure alert.

Under the HoodThe powertrains are unchanged from the previous Avalon, with the same 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 as standard, powering the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. For the fuel-economy minded, the Hybrid version uses Toyota's Synergy Drive, pairing a 156-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric drive system. It employs a two-speed continuously variable transmission in place of the six-speed automatic, but still powers only the front wheels. The only mechanical differences for the 2016 model are the switch to two available suspension setups. All models use a new tuned suspension aimed at a more comfortable ride, but the Touring trim comes with a more aggressive suspension upgrade meant to provide a sportier driving experience.


2016 Avalon Video

From the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, Cars.com's Kelsey Mays takes a look at the 2016 Toyota Avalon.

View 11 Photos

Latest 2016 Avalon Stories

See all 2016 Toyota Avalon articles >

What Drivers Are Saying

4.9
45 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.9)
Performance
(5.0)
Interior Design
(4.7)
Comfort
(4.9)
Reliability
(4.9)
Value For The Money
(4.8)

Latest Reviews

(4.0)

Great acceleration. Smooth ride.

by mdavalon2016 from Albuquerque, NM on April 13, 2018

Feels like you're driving a big car. Very reliable. Radio is hard to control while driving. Bluetooth and Favs menu hard to finger through as well. Great car except the radio design as a whole. Read full review

(5.0)

Sweet ride.

by Jim in Florida. on April 7, 2018

Great car, rides so well and is so quiet, I found I was speeding everywhere I went. Had to start using the cruise, to keep a clean license. This car (the Limited) has so many features for the money, ... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2016 Toyota Avalon currently has 2 recalls

IIHS Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

Based on 2016 Toyota Avalon XLE

IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor.

Child Seat Anchors (Latch)

Ease of Use
acceptable

Head Restraints and Seats

Dynamic Rating
good
Overall Rear
good
Seat Head/Restraint Geometry
good

Moderate overlap front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Left Leg/Foot
good
Overall Front
good
Restraints
good
Right Leg/Foot
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Other

Roof Strength
good

Side

Driver Head Protection
good
Driver Head and Neck
good
Driver Pelvis/Leg
good
Driver Torso
good
Overall Side
good
Rear Passenger Head Protection
good
Rear Passenger Head and Neck
good
Rear Passenger Pelvis/Leg
good
Rear Passenger Torso
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Small overlap front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Hip/thigh
good
Lower leg/foot
good
Restraints and dummy kinematics
acceptable
Small overlap front
good
Structure and safety cage
good
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers.

Manufacturer Warranty

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    36 months / 36,000 miles

  • Powertrain

    60 months / 60,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    24 months / unlimited distance

CPO Program & Warranty

Certified Pre-Owned by Toyota

Program Benefits

24-hour roadside assistance, trip-interruption services, Carfax vehicle history report, travel protection and toll-free assistance line

  • Limited Warranty

    1 year / 12,000 miles

    Comprehensive: 12 months/12,000 miles from date of purchase. Powertrain: 7 years/100,000 miles from original in-service date ($50 deductible) Note: In AL, FL, GA, NC and SC, 7-year/100,000 mile limited warranty coverage begins Jan. 1 of the vehicle's model year and zero (0) odometer miles and expires at the earlier of seven years or 100,000 odometer miles. Hybrid: 8-year/100,000 mile warranty on Factory HV Battery for Toyota Hybrid Vehicles.

  • Eligibility

    Under 6 years / 85,000 miles

    Vehicles receive a 160 point inspection and reconditioning.

Have Questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See Warranty FAQs

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Avalon received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker