One year after its redesign, the 2012 Toyota Avalon arrives unchanged with a 268-horsepower V6 engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and an EPA highway estimate of 29 miles per gallon
Avalon’s 106.9 cubic feet of passenger space and 14.4-cubic foot trunk put it in the EPA’s "large car” category and it's about nine inches longer than the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata.
The 2012 Avalon is available in two grades, Avalon and Avalon Limited. Both are equipped with leather-trimmed interior, eight-way power driver’s seat, back-up camera, dual zone automatic climate control with air filtration, moonroof and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The Avalon Limited in addition features heated and cooled front seats, an eight-way front passenger’s seat with lumbar support, driver’s seat cushion extension, rain-sensing windshield wipers and Smart Key. Additional standard features the Limited has over the base grade are: HID, chrome outer door handles (versus color-keyed,) outer mirrors have memory and puddle lamps, memory driver’s seat and wood-grained steering wheel/shift knob/rear armrest box lid. The Avalon grade can be upgraded with a JBL Synthesis sound system and heated front seats, and Navigation is optional for both grades. Base grade options also include memory package (outer mirrors and driver’s seat.) Base grade customers can get heated seats alone, or with memory package.
The Avalon is powered by a 24-valve, dual-overhead cam (DOHC) 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb./-ft. of torque at 4,700 RPM. The engine is equipped with the dual VVT-i electronic valve-control system that ensures a broad powerband. The six-speed automatic transmission provides an engaging driving experience and helps optimize fuel economy. Uphill/downhill shift logic selects the proper gear for driving conditions and helps provide moderate engine braking during downhill driving.
Standard technology equipment includes Bluetooth® hands-free phone and music streaming technology to the audio system from a compatible device, SiriusXM satellite radio capability (with a 90-day trial subscription to SiriusXM Select Package), USB and 1/8-inch auxiliary connections for iPod®, and other audio devices. Each of the three available audio systems can control iPods seamlessly using switches located on the steering wheel and display track information.
The DVD navigation system features easy search and address input functionality. The navigation system also offers new displays for road icons and points of interest, as well as a keyboard screen arranged in the same way as a personal computer. The Avalon grade’s standard nine-speaker audio system offers excellent sound quality, while the Limited grade features a standard 12-speaker, 660-watt JBL Premium Synthesis audio system with enhanced two-coil sub-woofer. The JBL system uses a 12-channel digital amplifier to deliver exceptionally rich, full sound to all seats of the vehicle.
A rear-view monitor function is standard in the rear-view mirror or with the available navigation system. The rear-view-mirror image includes on-screen back-up guides that help the driver to back into parking spaces or driveways.
The 2012 Avalon features seven airbags, including a front knee airbag for the driver, and side curtain airbags for both rows, are also standard on the 2012 Avalon.
Article Last Updated: October 6, 2011.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
I have a 2011 Avalon Limit and I was thinking about the 2012, but not too much different.