Overview & Reviews

For 2014, the Toyota Avalon sees no changes other than a minor shuffling of standard and optional features.

• Large trunk
• Quiet and upscale interior with roomy seating front and rear
• Above-average fuel economy.

• Ride quality might be too firm for traditional Avalon buyers
• Cumbersome setup process for Entune.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 36.00

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  Good mechanical, bad comfort ! - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By diva_3181377 - December 19 - 9:18 am

  Pros: 33 mpg in city ( i have hybrid model) and 36 mpg in highway, Interior (except sun visor and head liner) looks nice. Steering is like by my bmw Z3. Not a real soft drive. You will feel the road. Cons: 1) Never got the advertised mpg (40/39). I tried different driving styles. No way. Also did fuel system cleaning and engine additives as advised by the service advisor. No difference. 2) Head liner and sun visor made with cheap cloth. <2014 models were much better. Seems Toyota tried to save some money here. 3) Real bad seat cushion. You are almost sitting on the metal frame. Dealer WILL never fix it with usual reply "designed like that / cant reproduce". Even my colleagues 2017 model is same with seat and head liner/sun visor. Areas of improvement: Fix the damn seat first. Then fix the cheap cloth for headliner. Then it is a good car which got the bad reputation by using cheap materials on the interior. You will get tired by sitting on metal seats. If you have a new car, wait some time like 2-3 years and see how good the seat cushions are. Simple google search will show on how to fix this by putting a nice form ($10) which dealer will refuse to admit /do.

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  Ava-lux! - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By Chris - October 7 - 4:34 pm

  If you like a touch of class, style, performance and panache from an automobile, this is the one for you. Several weeks ago I purchased a used 2014 Toyota Avalon. Having recently moved south from the Midwest, I wanted to shed my 4-wheel drive for something smaller. Initially I went looking for a gently used Lexus ES350. My reasons were simple: I’m getting closer to 40 and my automobile needs are starting to bend more toward function and less form. This meant arguing my ego down from the thought that I needed to ‘sit high’ or that I need 3 rows for the few times a year we use the 3rd row. So on to the car; I initially drove 3 or 4 ES’s and on one return test drive I ended up parking next to an Avalon. “What’s this?” I asked the salesman. He responded ‘the Avalon’ and proceeded to tell me of how the car rides a variation of the same platform as the ES. Really? Also that the engine and powertrain were virtually Identical. Really?? So I gave this car –which I had never even glanced at, much less considered before- a good once over. Lowered front end profile w/quadra-beam headlights, Aston-Marton inspired lower intakes flanked by chrome enveloped fog lamps. A clean and handsome profile with a slightly ‘windswept’ greenhouse profile and a beautiful tail end w/LED lights and dual, trapezoidal exhaust…. “Hmm, will you get the keys for this”??? I asked. Got inside. ‘Whoa, seriously, nice! A 6 inch touch screen w/digital readouts for the HVAC just below. Mine has the lighter interior w/contrasting taupe, chocolate brown and black color scheme. It’s a very rich look accented by liberal swaths or chrome. On to the drive; the ride was the final deal cincher. The engine is buttery-smooth with plenty of power for passing. In fact, I had to learn how to properly finesse the engine when I am passing because stepping down too hard gives way more power than you probably were looking for. I want to address the ride quality itself though. Many have written that the car clunks or crashes over bumps. Honestly, I hadn’t noticed it at all. I think the ride is quite appropriate and I have to believe those that don’t care for it are exactly the buyers Toyota is getting away from. The geriatric set. The only place I have to give the car less than stellar marks is the sound system. The base unit’s graphics seem a generation behind the two vehicles I have most recently owned. Also, the basic sound system is very thin and has very little bass. They are merely adequate and I have been accustomed to far better utility. (the unit doesn’t even show album artwork for ipod songs) All told, this car is a serious sleeper that most likely are unaware of how good it is. After spending days if not weeks looking for the perfect gently used Lexus ES, I finally found it. Just so happened that it wears a Toyota badge and prefers to be called Avalon.

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  You have to read this before you buy - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By malutka - May 22 - 7:48 am

  The biggest issue for me is that the whole interior (meaning door panels, dashboard in my car especially rear doors and behind passenger seats) squeaks which is unacceptable for this type of car. Barely noticeable during the day, because of the outside ambient noise, with occasional louder squeaks here and there. But at night it is impossible to drive without music on- it drive me crazy! Suspension: you feel all the bumps, but the car is soft and has no handling power. My 9 speaker sounds system almost like in dodge neon. It sounds like all the sound coming out of one dashboard speaker. Telescopic Steering wheel doesnt pull out far enough. If you 6 and over, your hands will be straight.

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  Face Palms and Happy Days - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By Clifford Smith - January 22 - 12:20 am

  I should have known that things were going to go downhill when a) the salesperson gave me the wrong trim package (I pointed to the Limited on the lot and he prepped the base XLE) and b) they gave me a car with an entirely different VIN from the number on the contract. However, after that second faux pas was straightened out, I am proud to say that I really, really like this car. I like it so much, that I cant decide whether to turn it in when the lease is up (April 2017), or go ahead and buy it outright. I would LOVE to finally get an XLE Premium or a Limited with some of the added safety features - blind spot detection, upgraded sound system - in addition to the excellent gas mileage, but only if I can get it at a payment similar to what Im dishing out right now. Another "problem" is that the car wasnt driven as much as I thought it would be and so I would be perfectly happy with the 2014 model. I havent had a peep of trouble out of it and the dealer makes it very easy to keep up with the basic maintenance schedule. It has a lot of get-up-and-go and is comfortable for driver and passengers. On the downside (decision-wise), there isnt much difference that I can see between the 2014 and 2017 Avalon, so that sort of sends me back to buying the current car. So, aside from my #FirstWorldProblem about what to do in the coming months, I will say it again: I like this car a lot and Im grateful that the folks at another brands dealership (rhymes with "KIA") essentially ignored me when I was ready to sign on the dotted line.

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  A smelly car - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By freepak - July 17 - 7:52 pm

  This is my third Avalon and there is a definite design flaw. The car smells.

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  2015 Avalon Limited - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By tome1 - September 8 - 3:14 pm

  So far, other than ride quality we enjoy our new Avalon. Very responsive, excellent power, electronic package is very nice (a lot of safety features).

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  Give this an extended test drive before buying! - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By Arslan T - August 14 - 12:28 pm

  I drive about 26k miles a year and about 80 miles a day here in Houston and was looking for a used road warrior. My biggest factor in purchasing our 3rd car here is road comfort (to avoid road fatigue) and efficiency/mpg. I have two friends that have the older Avalon models and rave about its comfort and ride, and currently having an ES 350 and seeing its reliability and comfort, the new Avalon was an obvious choice for me. We had the opportunity to purchase a 2015 Avalon XLE but the week that I was to purchase the car I had an opportunity to rent the same car. 200-300 miles later and I am absolutely set on never buying this current Avalon! The exterior has great looks and the interior took a bit to get use to. As others have reviewed, the ride is firm on the highway to the extent that you will feel most bumps, causing road fatigue much earlier (about 25 mins for me). Secondly the seat does not have adequate lumbar support, making the ride much worse. Please do test drive the car before buying this as Toyota has changed the Avalon to make it appeal to younger buyers. As a 30 year old, I really should care about the fun to drive factor - which is def there! - but I just cant get over how uncomfortable the ride is on the highway. Test drove an Accord and a Camry today as well and surprisingly even the camry - which was my last resort car! - even has a better ride in terms of comfort than the avalon

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  New ride quality a big disappointment - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By rgilm123 - October 2 - 12:15 pm

  As a previous owner of a 2002 & 2009 Avalon we were happy when we saw the new 2014 Avalon and bought one without doing much research. We made a Great Big Mistake! If you liked the ride of previous Avalon’s you are in for a big disappointment. The ride is terrible! Overall the car is beautiful and the amenities are great but the poor ride cancels all that out. You will feel every crack and bump in the road. Not as a gentle ride but as a big old thump. Wish we would have taken the test drive on a rougher road before our purchase. We heard Toyota was trying to appeal to a younger market with new Avalon and it may appeal to them, but if you were a fan of the prior Avalon’s do not purchase

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  GREAT CAR SO FAR JUST GOT IT - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By jnealy87 - July 4 - 4:38 am

  I Got 2014 avalon limited Parisian Night Pearl, Rides like Lexus as mention in my prev review, now that Ive had it 7 months, i will explain my review stars given for each section. Performance drop one star due to understeer when driving. Comfort drop star due to front seats shows a lot of wear from using them I only drive 10k miles a year or less. Interior drop a star due to the cup holders silver liner that goes around the edge is coming apart and tearing off. Safety drop star due to car loses traction with tires at 5/32 and still have treadwear on tires, so car only does well with new tires, so that means new tires every 4 years not good for winter weather or rain. Technology drops 2 stars due to the climate control changes on it own at times when you restart car. also the car cabin air filter has been replaced a lot, the reason is the smell of the HVAC ,Toyota has not did a recall on the EVAP System drain yet, so the smell isnt the cabin air filter. Reliability drops star due to the engine had to have throttle body serviced after Main Battery replacement car had issues with stalling after new battery then had to have fuel injectors serviced to help with MPGs afterwards other then that no major issues will have these services again at 90k miles. Value drop star due to Fuel economy has not met the factory set amounts with all mixed driving and highway. I do all recommend service intervals and make sure my car runs new. Next service is 62k with oil change. the reason, I got car at 52k with oil change

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  Hybrid Avalon Touring 2014 - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By Hybrid Avalon 2014 Touring - July 3 - 8:01 am

  For some reason Edmonds doesnt know theres a Hybrid version of this car so I selected the V6 version. I Really like the Avalon now that I got rid of the OEM Toyota chosen Bridgestone Turanzas. DO NOT get an Avalon with Bridgestone (rocks) tires. I test drove the care with Michelin tires and the ride was firm but comfortable. My located Avalon came with Bridgestone Turanzas and the car rode brittle and handled terribly. I did some investigation and found others had Bridgestone Turanzas and hated them and got rid of them. At 16k miles they were getting so loud I couldnt bear it any more. I went to Toyota and they did not care or help. So I was on my own and put Pirelli P7s on the car and it rides, handles, stops, goes through rain great and is very quiet and is a LRR tire that gets great MPG. My headliner behind my sunroof fell down and the Toyota dealer fixed it once (including nasty fingerprints all over the headliner that I had to argue with the dealer to clean) and it fell down again. Toyota came up with a second headliner fix and they got it right. The radio every once in a while goes dead on AM or FM. It works fine through Bluetooth or other sound inputs, radio just dies. Its intermittent so of course the Dealer cant fix it. Poor quality radio though buyer be ware. The NAV system that Toyota provides would have been outdated in 2008. It has no speed limit and updates are horribly expensive and dont come out very often. My $100 Tom-Tom Nav or my apple phone do a far superior job than the one Toyota sticks you with. Regular free updates and speed limit display on the Tom-Tom. So after my flawless 2012 Camry XLE Hybrid, this Avalon has come with some issues and Toyota has not been much help. What I do like is the MPG for a car this size. Comfort is pretty good. Ive gone on some long trips and the seats are firm but not fatiguing. I would expect more padding in the seats for a car like this. Overall I like the interior layout. The armrest on the driver side at 17k is starting to wear through. Not too happy with the lack of durability of the arm rest vinyl. The steering is great. very low effort and accurate with decent road feel for a big car. The styling is pretty nice for a car in this price range. Over all a pretty nice car that I enjoy driving now that I prematurely had to get rid of the Toyota OEM Bridgestones. I have always owned Toyotas, and I still like this Avalon, but the quality and customer care is sadly slipping from Toyota and the dealers.