Okay, so it wasn't an earth-shattering make over. And it's hard to understand this car's place in the world, given its close proximity to Lexus models. Why not a Lexus? Toyota people will tell you because an Avalon is a Toyota, as if that really matters. On the basis of value, however, it's hard to ignore the Avalon because it adds a slew of features, looks nicer than it did before and will only cost around $200 more than the current generation. Factor in Toyota's reputation for building watertight cars, and you've got a winner. New features for the Avalon include a new 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 280 horsepower and 260 lb. ft. of torque. According to Toyota officials, the new engine is 33 percent more powerful than the previous, and is mated to a sequential shifting five-speed automatic transmission, which improves the driving experience. The Avalon comes with a number of electronic features designed to assist the driver, including vehicle stability control, electronic brake force distribution - it improves brake force at each wheel - and brake assist, which detects an emergency situation and helps the driver fully apply ABS. Inside, the Avalon adds side curtain airbags front and rear, as well as knee airbags for the driver. The Avalon also comes with the Smart Start feature that first showed up in the Toyota Prius. This feature makes access to the vehicle more convenient through a sensor that recognized the fob in your pocket and opens the door, turns on the light and makes a good cup of tea. A first for any Toyota vehicle, the Avalon also offers the RES system, which will actually ignite your engine from a remote location - for snowy days or clean getaways. All told, the Avalon is safer, more powerful, more sophisticated and more stylish. And while one can wonder about its place in the world, the added features - with a $200 add-on at the sticker - seems a solid deal. By Brian Chee Photos By Erik Hanson
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