IS-SV

So really a rebody, not a redesign or facelift, from what I can see. Ho hum.

joe80

avalon is one of my favorite toyota. it's one of the most comfortable non-luxury out there.

(Cj)

That's exactly what Toyota should do. They should place the Avalon in a class below the LaCrosse, Maxima, and Taurus. They might be able to find a niche for people who want an efficient affordable full size sedan and sales would probably double with the I4 option.

jruhi4

2006 was actually the first model year for the current, 3rd-gen Avalon. The 2008 model year saw the first grille-and-taillight facelift. With the 2011 Avalon receiving its second grille-and-taillight facelift (plus the more extensive interior facelift), it'll indeed probably become a 7-year-cycle model, with 2012 being the final model year for the 3rd-gen.

My gut feeling tells me they're trying to cut the time lag between the 8th-gen Camry and 4th-gen Avalon debuts. Remember there was also a rumor (that I'm personally highly skeptical of) that a long-wheelbase version of the 8th-gen Camry would become the next de facto Avalon.

Among the fallout from the current global economic crisis, combined with ever-mushrooming carmaker lineups, is a trend for longer cycles between major car redesigns. Honda's much-vaunted 4-year cycles have already given way to 5-year (or longer) cycles, and they were rumored to go to 6 years starting with the current-gen Civic and Accord. Be assured they're not the only ones...

Threxx

Actually 2005 was the first model year for this generation.

So if 2012 is the last model year for this generation that will be an 8 model year run. Though I have doubts that Toyota would put that much effort into this refresh if it was only going to have 2 more years of sales before being redesigned from the ground up. But it is possible.

Rash

iTrader: (1)

Never liked Avalons.

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

Wow.

What is Toyota doing here? The Avalon needed a true redesign, not a rebody with ES330 design cues. Also, what's with the Lexus-esque chrome strip along the bottom? Since this is clearly a refresh, I am a little concerned that they are calling it the "redesigned" Avalon and pushing it like a new model. I really hope they have something new up their sleeve for 2012 and that this only an interim model. Weak sauce.

None the less, I really don't see the Taurus or LaCrosse as being much better. The Ford is only acceptable in SHO trim and Toyota isn't going after that type of buyer. The same goes for the Maxima. The LaCrosse is decent but I am not sold on the awkward styling and fat pig weight/performance/fuel economy.

Genesis is a competitor in some ways, but not directly. More of an apples-to-oranges comparison, though I would rather drop my $40K on a Genesis...or really a Maxima.

This gets 4/10 stars from me.

-J-P-L-

It's the same car. Just new grill, headlights, taillights, and interior changes, and a couple of technical updates.

Look again, the whole body (panels) is the same.

RXSF

i agree the side profile body panels are the same, but arent there new front and rear bumpers, new trunk lid design? not to mention the complete interior overhall.

-J-P-L-

You mean make the Avalon a Camry? Because there's no room between the Camry class and Avalon class.

-J-P-L-

Still wouldn't qualify as a redesign. A redesign is completely new from the ground up. New chassis, new engine (generally), 100% new body, ect.

Milla...

I'll just except that the hot fudge on this scoop of vanilla ice cream is the the LED tubed treated tails.........wow tasty.

(Cj)

No I mean make the Avalon a big Camry

All I'm saying is they should offer an I4 model, as suggested by SLegacy99. A sub $25K fullsize sedan would be very attractive for a lot of people especially if it got 31+mpg hwy.

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

The Avalon is....a big Camry

STIG

Probably will never own an Avalon but this is an epic fail from Toyota.

There's something about this car that just doesn't flow well together. Half-assed job that I would never expect from Toyota. Something like Dodge would do, not from Toyota.