2001 Toyota Avalon Toyota Avalon 2001 Toyota Avalon XL Sedan Sedan FWD Two colors, Cognac Brown and Constellation Blue Pearl, are dumped for 2001, and an emergency trunk release has been added. No other changes have been made to this imitation Buick, which was completely redesigned last year. Lexus-like quality, smooth V6 engine, huge rear seat. High price tag, funky dash design, toothy chrome grille. It would seem buyers of full-sized sedans generally aren't interested in character. Most big four-doors are dull pieces of machinery to look at and a snooze to drive. The beauty in such a vehicle lies in what it can do for the customer in terms of providing space for people and things without compromising the ride or occupant comfort. It should look upscale, but not gaudy, providing just enough glitz and luxury to let others know you have achieved a degree of success in life. Finally, such a vehicle must also be reliable and able to handle years of daily-driver tasks without so much as a whimper. Since its introduction in 1995, the Toyota Avalon has fit this description: bland as egg whites, but solid, roomy, and dependable. Last year, the Avalon was redesigned. Substantial changes improved its already attractive qualities, but its mission in the grand scheme of things, ersatz Buick, remained the same. There are two models to choose from: XL and XLS. The main difference between the two is the level of standard equipment, with XLS representing the more luxurious version with JBL audio, programmable HomeLink remote system, remote keyless entry, and aluminum wheels. Either can be ordered with front bucket or bench seats trimmed in available leather upholstery. Avalon's 3.0-liter V6 engine features a variable valve timing system (Toyota calls its system VVT-i). It provides additional horsepower, improved fuel economy and torque, lower emissions and smoother shifting. The previous Avalon was no slouch in the power department, so the recent engine improvements are icing on an already refined cake. Toyota also updated the styling. A side benefit of this is a reduction in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), not that it was a substantial problem in the first place. There's also increased trunk volume, grocery bag hooks, and a larger storage tray and cargo net. Vehicle Skid Control (VSC), which includes traction and stability control systems, can be added to Avalon XLS. VSC utilizes the braking system to correct understeer or oversteer conditions in a turn. Traction control reduces tire slippage during acceleration. Avalon also features a brake-assist system that detects emergency braking and applies supplemental line pressure to reduce stopping distances. Other safety features include a body structure that effectively absorbs and diffuses energy along predictable paths, energy-absorbing material in the roof rails, front pillar and center pillar to help reduce potential head injury, and super-sized rearview mirrors. With Avalon, Toyota meets and exceeds the full-size sedan buyer's expectations. Sure, the price is higher than offerings from Detroit like the Buick LeSabre, Chrysler Concorde and Mercury Grand Marquis. But unflappable quality doesn't come cheap. Want a Lexus but need six-passenger capacity or huge amounts of rear legroom? The Avalon is your car. Buick Park Avenue Chrysler 300M Infiniti G20 Mazda Millenia 336,000 560,000 5Unlimited NA NA NA 6 3 liters V6 210 hp @ 5800 rpm 220 ft-lbs. @ 4400 rpm 191.9 in. 71.7 in. 57.7 in. 3417 lbs. 107.1 in. 38.7 in. 37.9 in. 58.4 in. 58.1 in. 55.2 in. 55.1 in. 41.7 in. 40.1 in. 15.9 cu.ft. Standard Not Available Not Available Standard Not Available Not Available Not Available Rating = Not Tested Rating = Not Tested Good Very Good Not Tested Not Tested 18.5 gal. 21 mpg / 29 mpg 389 mi. / 537 mi. Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not. $23,000 $25,845 7.35% $455 N/A No Holdback XL (4A): 3L V6 DOHC MPI 24-valve engine with variable valve timing (requires premium unleaded fuel); 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; HD battery with run down protection; HD starter; HD alternator; front-wheel drive, 3.63 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering with engine speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 18.5 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers with chrome bumper insert; body-colored bodyside molding with chrome bodyside insert; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen fully auto headlamps with daytime running lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored outside mirrors; 15" x 6" steel wheels; P205/65HR15BSW A/S tires; full-size steel spare wheel; dual-zone front air conditioning; AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, single-disc CD player, 6 speakers, theft deterrent, window grid antenna cruise control with steering wheel controls; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, child-safety rear door locks, remote hatch/trunk release, remote fuel door release; 2 power accessory outlets, front lighter element(s), driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, exterior temp, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, key in ignition, low fuel, bulb failure, door ajar; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's seat-mounted side airbags; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down function; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver and passenger seats include 6-way adjustment; rear bench seat with adjustable headrests, center pass-thru armrest; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering, chrome interior accents; interior lights include dome light, front reading lights; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors, dual auxiliary visors; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, mini overhead console with storage, locking glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, driver's and passenger's door bins, rear door bins; carpeted cargo floor, carpeted trunk lid, cargo light; chrome grille, chrome side window moldings, black front windshield molding, chrome rear window molding and body-colored door handles. XLS (4A) (in addition to or instead of XL (4A) equipment): Additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated outside mirrors; dual-zone front air conditioning with climate control, air filter, rear heat ducts; premium AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, single-disc CD player, 7 premium speakers, remote keyless entry, power remote hatch/trunk release; garage door opener; additional instrumentation display includes compass, trip computer; additional warning indicators include low washer fluid; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; driver and passenger seats include 8-way power adjustment, power 2-way lumbar support; center pass-thru armrest with storage; premium cloth seats, simulated wood dashboard insert, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, simulated wood door panel insert, simulated wood console insert; interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rear reading lights, 2 door curblights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; 2 seatback storage pockets and cargo net. -- Split Bench Seat $730 $820 B8 5-Spoke Star Alloy Wheel Locks $31 $52 B9 15" Mesh Alloy Wheel Locks $31 $52 C7 Convenience Package $610 $998 CF Carpet/Cargo Mat Set (5 Piece Set) $97 $159 CF10 Sunroof Wind Deflector $79 $109 CM20 Electrochromic Mirror with Compass $175 $245 CX10 Rear Aerodynamic Spoiler $376 $498 DJ JBL 3 In 1 Premium Combo $270 $360 DU Wood Dash (Bucket/Bench) $299 $519 DW40 Woodgrain Dash and Accent $395 $498 FG Fabric Seat Trim with Bench Seat $0 $0 GH Package 1 $828 $1,035 GI Package 2 $1,136 $1,420 GJ Package 3 $536 $670 GK Leather Package 3 $2,072 $2,590 GK Leather Package 4 $1,456 $1,820 GN Cargo Net $30 $45 GP Gold Package $89 $164 LA80 Leather Faced Seat Package $1,149 $1,498 LF Leather Seat Trim with Bucket Seats $0 $0 LG Leather Seat Trim with Bench Seat $0 $0 LG30 24K Gold Plated Emblems $140 $199 LK10 Factory Wheel Locks $39 $69 MG30 Splash Guards $109 $149 MK10 Front Protection Mask $89 $129 N1 Auto-Dimming Mirror $166 $240 PC Special Color $187 $220 PC10 Cargo Net $40 $67 PG40 Door Edge Guards $69 $99 PV50 Carpet Mats and Trunk Mat $140 $198 QS90 Remote Security System $194 $299 S5 Wheels: 15" 5-Spoke Star Style Alloy $549 $699 S6 Wheels: 15" Mesh Style Alloy $600 $799 SA10 Accent Stripe $40 $76 SR Power Moonroof with Tilt and Slide $728 $910 SS Wheels: 15" 5-Spoke Split Alloy $440 $592 UF60 Full Tank Of Gas - No Charge $11 $0 V5 V.I.P. RS3200 Deluxe Security System $155 $249 WL Alloy Wheel Locks $31 $52 WS Steel Wheel Locks $31 $52 WS20 Wheels: Silver BBS with Locks $639 $889 WW30 Wheels: Enkei 15" Alloy $549 $698 WZ 15" Alloy Wheel Locks $31 $52 XA40 Avalon Convenience Package $385 $575 XG30 24K Gold Plated Emblems/Accent $188 $284 XS10 Avalon Sport Package $1,912 $2,773 XS20 Avalon Luxury Package $2,172 $3,391 XY30 Toyo Guard Protection $409 $619