My opinion is that they gave the Avalon the extensive '11 refresh in order to get its redesign cycle behind the Camry's. Sales of each Avalon have started off strong, then go down in the dumps whenever the new Camry comes out 2 years later (though the Gen 1 Avy didn't really see a drop). Now, with the Avalon's redesign cycle behind the Camry's and the Camry being the Camry, Toyota doesn't have to worry about the Avalon's sales tanking, which is why we're getting a new '13 Avalon.

That said, I still want the Mark X re-christened as the Cressida to take over its rightful spot as the Toyota flagship

 

Can't wait until we see all these new products! I love the push to inject some fun, sport and style into the full lineup! Go go Mr. Toyoda, I love the change the LFA has brought upon the company

 

Late next year, I believe.

Not sure what you expect from a midsize family sedan, but if you're looking for something with some soul and that is more engaging to drive, have you ever driven the SE V6? It's been highly regarded and is considered by many to be the best driving family sedan in it's class.

Correct - Rav4 will be here early next year. I heard good things about all the products that were shown, but unfortunately did hear that the FRS has been noticeably toned down for production from the concept we last saw. Supposedly the front end is a bit different and obviously there are more tame wheels and rear valences. I think the comment about Avalon vs. Lexus was in regard to sedans, as there is no way it could look better than the LFA!

The folks that I spoke to were ranting and raving about the Avalon, and were pleased with the Camry, but legitimately excited about the Avalon. The updated US Camry supposedly looks better than the concept that was shown last year, but is still not significantly different from the current car.

Avalon was all new in '06, I think, so a heavy refresh let them get another 2 and a half years out of the current architecture before totally redoing it. Understandable, IMO.

 

i completely agree but if they have already shown new Avalon, is it definitively going to be sold within next year or so, at least somewhere around the world.

 

This gets me so excited!! Hyundai/Kia really bought up competition that finally alerted Toyota' fugly design for the past 10 year!!
Now, will they offer a AWD Camry?? I'm alway wondering why Toyota don't have any AWD sedan..........Hyundai got a AWD Sonata, Toyota really need one to cover this segment, not everyone can afford a Lexus GS AWD
BTW....I will NOT buy a Hyundai/Kia!!!

I'm in the market for a AWD sedan at this moment.....the reliablity issue blow me away from the GS..........I will accept a Camry AWD if they are available

 

what reliability issue with GS? One from CR where GS AWD has stereo problems?

 

Too much small thing going on with he GS AWD comparing to other Lexus model, recalls, Audio, squeaking panel, vibration, dash-electrical.......things that I never heard from other Lexus model......I don't totally trust those research, but there's a reson why its on the not-recommeded list

 

there are no differences between AWD and RWD when it comes to those issues you mentioned... so everyone here who owns GS is perplexed as I am.

in short: AWD is as reliable as RWD.

 

Is this what it looks like:

 

I wouldn't say reliability issue, but build quality/material quirks. Dash rattle, windshield positioning clips, interior trim rattles, uneven dash mold around window defroster vents...the list goes on and on. I never had to bring my 2004 IS 300 in for stuff like that in the 4 years and 105k miles I owned it. I had my 07 GS for less time and trade it in for the IS F. The quality issues were just minor issue for me, but the boring drive experience was the main reason why I got rid of it.

 

Looks like they took a picture of the HS 250h, elongated the front end and put a Toyota Sai style front end on it:

 

Rumor is/was that is the hybrid.

 

you dont understand I think - GS350 AWD has been rated as not reliable for stereo issues and GS350 RWD has been rated as reliable by same magazine.

Sure that squeak when it is very cold outside was annoying to me but that was pretty much the only thing wrong with my car.. IS had some issues too, I remember that old IS300 for instance had those CD players that would burn out, which was IMHO much larger issue than a squeak.


But nevertheless, what I and many other GS owners dont understand is why CR reccomends RWD and doesnt reccomend AWD based on things that are exactly the same in both vehicles.

 

The following comment was base on my own research only. (Nothing against the GS)
I was researching for GS350 AWD and my dealer friend helped me on checking their service history. We checked about 5 of them (2007 & 2008 with 55K~87K miles) and the result surprise me.

Beside the small stuff, I found 2 of them have had drivetrain & transmission serviced, 1 had drivetain serviced, the other 2 were fine. I have no idea what kind of driven/transmission service it did, but surely not a fluid change.

After this research, my friend advise me to stay away from used GS 350 AWD. I really like the ext & int design of the GS but I'm NOT getting NEW since I change car almost every 1~2 year and the huge depreciation of NEW just not worth for me.

 

well i dont understand why dealer didnt check on what exact service (there were 2 recalls for all GS's), but CR specifically states stereo issues and in forums we have no AWD specific issues with GS, and there are hundreds on owners here.