2019 Toyota Avalon is a comfy cruiser if you can get past that nose

[MUSIC] I don't know what's going on at Toyota's design department these days, but things have gotten really aggressive over there. I mean, who hurt you? Case in point, the stupidly large grille on the 2019 Toyota Avalon, which almost ruins a perfectly good premium sedan. Now fortunately, it looks a whole lot better on the inside, so let's hop behind the wheel and just try not to look directly at that front end while we pass. [MUSIC] [MUSIC] Okay, it's not just me guys, right? That front end is too much. It kinda looks like the alien from the Predators film? Okay, you know that Jeremy Clarkson meme where he's in the area [UNKNOWN] and his face looks like this? That's what the front end of this car looks like. And it's annoying because Most of it is blocked off. It's a nonfunctional grill because you've got your crash safety stuff up there and aerodynamic concern. So you're only really getting like 20% air flow through that giant grill. Not only is it ugly, it's Functional. Fortunately the interior looks a whole lot better then last year. I mean even on this black interior touring model you can tell that the materials are just lot nicer. The fit and finish is a lot better. For example we've got like perforated micro suede on the doors and the seats. So there's nice stitching everywhere. It feels like somebody's put a lot of time and a lot of money. Thing into making this a very comfortable place to spend a lot of time. Now, you should see the light brown interiors on the limited models. I mean, they're just gorgeous. I mean, that really pushes this car to a point where I feel like you could call it a luxury sedan. On the middle of the dashboard, you've got the giant piano black tombstone that houses the intune three infotainment system. Now Intune isn't really my favorite infotainment setup but this third generation is leaps and bounds better than before. It's a lot more responsive, there are a lot more features that I like and more importantly it's organized a little bit better... We talk more about it in a separate video, so check that out. Or better yet, check out our full review over on theroadshow.com. But, the long and short is that even if you don't love this, Apple Car plays here this year so you can bring your own tech. Sadly, Android Auto is still not on the options list. [MUSIC] Speaking of technology Toyota has made it safety safe p diver aid standard on all models. [UNKNOWN] Even if you don't check any option boxes, you've got adaptive cruise control. You've got a really good lane keeping, steering assistance system with really subtle feedback. And you've also got forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. No option box Checked. Of course, there are still a few things left to get. You've got blind spot monitoring, you've got rear cross-traffic alert with automatic rear braking, and the really cool 360 camera that comes on when you're reversing. And it's got a nice, hidden feature. If you activate the camera while the car is parked, it does this sorta virtual 360 pan-around of the car. That's a really cool feature, and I don't know why Toyota doesn't draw more attention to that. Now, under the hood we've still got a three and a half liter V6 engine, though this year it's making 301 horsepower and 276 pound feet of Torque and that's gonna be mated with an eight speed automatic that sends power to the front wheels. The power train feels a bit lazy in most conditions but that's because it's tuned for comfort and quietness and fuel efficiency. Delivering around 31 miles per gallon on the highway. If you really care about MPGs you want to go for the hybrid version which gives you up to 44 MPG combined. This touring model is a bit sportier than your average Avalon with it's stiffer springs and sort-tuned adaptive damper system but it's still a bit soft. You don't wanna push this car too too hard. There's also a bit more noise at this trim level thanks to the taller wheels, the stiffer side walls on the tires and a little bit of sort of fake engine noise sweetening coming from the audio. System. It's not much. You don't really notice it, but if you listen for it, it's there. Now, if you really care about a quiet ride, which is the point of the Avalon, I'd recommend you have a look at the Limited model. It's got a third unique tune on its suspension system that's gonna be more emphasized on a quiet and comfortable ride. Then again, if you really wanted the most quiet and most comfortable version of the Avalon, well, there's the ultimate Hybrid Limit. [MUSIC] Overall the 2019 Avalon is better than last year in almost every way. I mean it rides better, it performs better, and the cabin is a much more comfortable place to spend a long commute or road trip. But you have to be able to get past that front end which I just can't and it's a shame because the rest of the Avalon's design is really nice. There are a lot of Have details on this car that I like, from the LED headlamps on the front, to the really slick profile of this car to the sharp rear end with some really good tail lamps. A lot sharper than the car of this size really deserves. So Toyota, if you're listening, when it comes time to that mid cycle refresh, that we all know is coming in a few years. Tone it down on the front end and you'll have winner on your hands. [BLANK_AUDIO] [MUSIC] All right. Let's price old butterfly face here. The 2019 Toyota Avalon starts at around 355 for the Base model but whether you upgrade to the comfortable limited or the sportier touring you're looking at around a 45 thousand dollar car with all the options and destination charges. Still, that's not a terrible price when you consider how good this cars interior is and the amount of standard technology that you get. Just remember, always park nose in. And only ever approach from the rear. [MUSIC] [BLANK_AUDIO]