2013 Toyota Avalon Gets a Louder Style, Softer Interior

WATERTOWN, MASS. (04/23/2012)(readMedia)-- Toyota has managed to make its next-generation Avalon both a little bit louder and little bit softer thanks to its athletic new exterior and quieter, more lavish interior. Unveiled earlier this month at the New York International Auto Show, the 2013 Toyota Avalon will reach Toyota dealerships late this year, using its aggressive new design to challenge other full-size competitors like the Chevy Impala and Ford Taurus.

Featuring a lower beltline, flared fenders and an elongated greenhouse that stretches back much like a four-door coupe, the 2013 Toyota Avalon errs on the side of imposing rather than nondescript. Under that new sheet metal lies an array of structural upgrades that improve handling, ride quality and straight-line stability, while a stiffer suspension helps the Avalon balance performance and comfort. Three drive modes also offer a more customized performance, including Normal, Eco and Sport, the latter of which enhances throttle response and enables more responsive steering.

"The new Avalon will be able to better compete in the premium sedan market, where buyers are looking for the entire package, from high-quality interior materials and innovative technology to performance and looks," said Adam Skolnick, general manager of Greater Boston Toyota dealer Toyota of Watertown. "Toyota's recent redesigns have focused on delivering a strong mix of excitement and refinement, and the new Avalon will turn some heads when it hits the streets."

Toyota says the 2013 Avalon is much quieter than the current model, partly due to its aerodynamic new exterior, but also because of the extensive use of sound-absorbing materials in the cabin. The interior also features a number of soft-touch surfaces that create a luxurious feel, like the leather steering wheel, shift knob and upholstery. A more literal upscale touch can be found on the vehicle's advanced capacitive switches, which react much like an iPhone screen, while three color displays show the driver pertinent information like audio selections and navigation.

Like all Toyotas, the new Avalon is filled with high-tech safety features that range from the now-familiar anti-lock brake system to an available Blind Spot Monitoring system. Another safety option, the Rear Cross Traffic Alert system, senses vehicles and people moving behind the Avalon while backing up. The 2013 Avalon will also come with a best-in-class 10 airbags.

The new Avalon, which will be built at Toyota's assembly plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, will have more than 90% of its parts produced in North America, and was engineered by workers at Toyota's technical center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The automaker also recently announced that it will be hiring 150 new engineers this year to work at its Ann Arbor and Saline, Michigan technical centers, furthering its investment in its highly-trained U.S. workforce.

"The Avalon's smooth ride and muscular new styling were developed for the American driver by engineers and designers who also happen to be American drivers," Skolnick noted. "Toyota may be a Japanese automaker, but their roots run deep in America, and they continue to play their part in helping the U.S. economy by doing the lion's share of their production stateside."

About Toyota of Watertown:

Family-owned since 1957, Toyota of Watertown is the dealership that Toyota fans around Boston turn to for sales and service. A multiple-time winner of Toyota's coveted President's Award, they are renowned for their selection and low prices, as well as customer service that is second to none. They strive to make the buyer's automotive experience a positive one for the life of the vehicle. For more information, visit them online at www.toyotaofwatertown.com, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToyotaOfWatertown, call them at 617-926-5200 or visit their showroom at 149 Arsenal Street in Watertown, Massachusetts.