Overview & Reviews

A few minor changes are in store for Toyota's large sedan. On the outside, you'll find freshened styling that consists of a new grille, new taillamps and redesigned bumpers. Inside, the 2003 Avalon has been upgraded with dual-stage airbags and ISO-FIX child safety seat anchor points. XLS models also have more features this year, including an autodimming driver-side mirror, rain-sensing wipers, a simulated wood-trimmed steering wheel and an optional navigation system.

• Lexus-like quality, smooth V6 engine, huge rear seat.

• High price tag, bland personality.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 117.00

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  Great Comfort and Power - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By GoVols - October 16 - 10:00 am

  This car has great acceleration speed and provides superb comfort. I considered the Camry; however, the comfort level of the Avalon is leaps and bounds above it. There is an abundance of leg room in the rear passenger seats. Good handling ability. Large trunk. Fuel mileage in city driving rarely exceeds 21 mpg.

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  03 Avalon XLS - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By RCH - September 27 - 10:00 am

  After 3 Maxima SEs, we decided to go with a little more comfort & luxury, and have not been disappointed. Very smooth and comfortable transportation. A great highway cruiser with pretty good gas mileage (28+ w/only 1,500 miles). It handles the beat up Chicago-area roads very well.

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  a nice car but - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By qq - March 28 - 2:00 am

  It is a nice car with plenty of room But the tire is too small compare with the huge body. Its like a huge man wear a tiny shoe.

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  Avalon XLS - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By Hexman - May 17 - 10:00 am

  I have always wanted this car ever since I sat in the back seat of a friends 1999 Avalon. I was amazed at the room. This model has lived up to the expectations. Besides the interior room, the riding comfort is outstanding. I have owned 2 Saab 9000s, and Im very pleased with the Avalons luxury feel. On the downside, while the handling is fine for me, it does not handle like my Saabs or other sports sedans Ive driven. I need to slow down a lot more going into turns with the car sliding more than hugging the road. It is fine on the freeway, but my wife feels it tends to drift a little.

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  after 43k miles - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By RS of VA - May 6 - 5:50 pm

  Body integrity is one complaint. Doors require a little extra push to latch....often require a second slam. Trip computer resets every time you stop so what good is the "trip" computation....also mileage resets after every tank full so there is no accumulating mileage for all types of driving.

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  A Pleasant Surprise - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By RTAB18 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  After renting a 2002 Avalon for two weeks, and driving it for over 2500 miles, I was very impressed as to how this car rode at high speeds for hours, without making me tired. The seats are comfortable, the back seats are like sitting on a sofa, the interior is roomy and very quiet, and the stereo is excellent. I decided then to buy a 2003 Avalon XLS, and I have not been disappointed. For a relatively large car the handling is very nimble, with decent acceleration. Breaking is smooth and competent. The only complaint I have is a ticking relay noise that eminates from under the dashboard.

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  Great Luxury Car for the Money - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By Howard - September 9 - 4:30 pm

  Driving in comfort; lots of power and pick up, yet economical and affordable.

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  Love this car - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By SLK - August 28 - 10:00 am

  We test drove this vehicle and fell in love with it. Didnt even bother with two other models with which we were comparing. The ride was smooth and noise free....two things that were on our list of wants. Almost a year later and we still think its a great piece of machinery!

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  My first Avalon - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By jlh - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased my Avalon 9 days ago. Probably too early to give the car a rating but so far its better than I expected. The comfort, the quiet ride, and the responsive engine are wonderful. My last car was a 1990 Volvo 240DL and I have to say there is no comparison. I love the car and hope to make as good a review after a few months of driving.

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  2003 Toyota Avalon XLS - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By Herb F. - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Just picked up my new Avalon. Though I really like the car and its design/amenities am sorely disappointed in the quality of the workmanship coming from the Kentucky assembly plant. Very poor fit on the body panels, interior plastic squeaks and the paint(pearl white) on the plastic rear bumper is about 8 shades darker than the rest of the car. Also, the wind noise with the moon roof open is almost deafening. Have owned 9 previous Toyotas but this is my first one assembled in the US. Perhaps I am expecting too much but the local service manager tells me that they have four times more problems with the US assembled Toyotas than those of the "J- Series".