No, it isn't, it's still below the Celsior(LS) in Japan & is smaller I think. The Toyota Century is their flagship in Japan & is a 5 litre V12. It has very outdated styling though, which won't have appeal outside of Japan. There are rumours they're working on a new Century, which could possibly become the ultra-lux Lexus model above the LS.

 

There is no "problem". CR obviously wanted to test new-design first year models against each other, judging from the absence of the E and the 5. The GS300, which is also a new-design first year model, is conspicuously absent in the comparo. I'm saying that they should have included it, Avalon or no Avalon.

 

They should have included the new 3-series and the new MX-5.

 

In all honestly, I don't know why consumer reports did not include the GS. My only reasoning is Consumer Reports being RATIONALE picked cars that may have a higher chance of getting cross shopped? I don't know. Clearly they figure like most shoppers, BMW/Benz/Lexus are in the same category and still a step above the others , so maybe a 5/E/GS test is coming?

I don't know though. And TO ME its a big deal. I don't want to plop down that much money on a car that shares its basics with a 26k 350Z. There is nothing WRONG with that method, I just don't prefer it.

 

My only guess is since 99% of these owners don't mod/track or even speed most of the time, then they are comparable. Why is the GS not included. Again I don't know, it would be logical to include it. Maybe they want to see how well the Avalon really is and just how much do you miss buying just a "Toyota" vs the luxury marques.

The Avalon has a very up-hill battle, IMO too.

 

Clearly, you name is so appropriate bub. Honda has maybe 2-3 platforms max.
1. Civic
2. Accord(global)
3. Odyessy
And basically most all their cars sold here are from one of those 3 platforms. If you don't believe me, look it up or call their customer service or go to a Honda forum. Its the truth.

The RL is again, a stretched Accord global platform. This time, they added the superb SH-AWd system that 99.9% of those owners won't use anyway.

That is not BASHING the car. That is the truth. Its a shared Accord platform. And I know there are like 4 or 5 Accords around so its off the USDM (American) Accord platform.

 

I think Avalon will take it too!

 

i think the odyessy is also a stretched accord

the honda platforms are proably this
civic
accord
nsx
insight
k-cars
s2000

 

In that case this would have been the perfect chance to see how well the Toyota Avalon stacks up against its big Lexus brothers like the ES330 and GS300. We can see if the premium price of the Lexus cars are really worth it compared to their own Toyota brand.

 

Hey thanks for the warm welcome!

Your probably right about the Global Platform. However, I bet it's been modified so greatly to accommodate the RL that I wonder what's really left of it that it would relate to any other Honda. I guess it's a win win situation for Honda to use a modified version of their Global Platform for the RL. The cars using the Global Platform from Honda and Acura before the RL happen to be the best-selling model for each brand. And like you said, using such an extremely successful platform like that is definitely not bashing the RL.

And I want to say that they have a lot more than 2-3 platforms. I can think of atleast six different platforms in the U.S. among the Honda and Acura brand (Accord, Odyssey, Civic, Insight, S2000, NSX). I'm not gonna say anything about the European and Japanese models that we don't get here because I don't know much about them. Additionally, there are several totally different Accord's with different platforms worldwide. So I think it's safe to say that they have more than 2-3 platforms max.

 

I just had an Avalon for 4 days courtesy of Hertz and it is a great driving car. Smooth, powerful, quiet, everything you would expect from Toyota. And this was a rental beater too.

 

A new Avalon?

 

Sorry about the welcome, been jumpy recently, my apologies.
Yes, Honda is about effeciency from production to MPG. The RL platform has always been Accord based and that is good in cutting costs and the Accord platform is a wonderful platform to start with.

Its sad, that the SH-AWD system is IMO the worlds most advanced AWD system and its inside a car that looks like an Accord, its not being bought by enthusiasts in America and 99.9% of the people won't take advantage of this system.

I would think that with stiffer anti-roll bars, bigger wheels and more agressive gearing, the RL could be a real beast. But it needs to LOOK the part.

Rumors of a RL "coupe" replacement for the Legend/CL coupe is coming. I say let the TL designers design that car and price it around 40k and why buy a 6-series?

 

Yeah, a 2005. ~7000 miles on the odo.

 

Yes Hertz has the new 05 Avalon and has been carrying G35 sedans in their fleet since I left the company last year. The SoCal pool of Hertz cars is purchased through Longo Toyota fleet department. Every Toyota originating from SoCal Hertz locations are sold through Longo but the vehicles never touch the Longo lot. They go straight from the port to LAX where the cars are distributed to all the feeder airports.