Published October 31, 2012
By Philippe Crowe
As production for the 2013 model year begins, Toyota has released prices for its flagship sedan, the Avalon, including the newly available version with Hybrid Synergy Drive.
Both the V6 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid arrive in dealerships at the beginning of December and will come with a new exterior design, improved dynamic performance, a higher degree of refinement and technology.
The Avalon Hybrid’s Hybrid Synergy Drivetrain is similar to the one powering the Camry Hybrid that includes a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle, four cylinder engine, an electronic CVT that contains two electric motors and a 244.8-volt battery that help produce an overall system output of 200 horsepower.
Itis EPA-rated at a combined 40 mpg (40 mpg city/39 mpg hwy) and the five-seater is available in four trim levels: XLE, XLE Premium, XLE Touring and Limited. These three upper ones are offered with the hybrid system.
The XLE, only available in gas model includes power adjustable heated front leather seats, alloy wheels, touch screen display audio, smart key, heated outer mirrors, outer mirror turn signals as standard equipment.
The first level of equipment for the Avalon hybrid, the XLE Premium Hybrid model, is $35,555 and includes features such as backup camera and moonroof. This trim level is priced $2,360 more than its equivalent gas-only Avalon XLE Premium.
The XLE Touring hybrid model is $37,250 and comes with standard 18-inch alloy wheels, display audio with entune and navigation, blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert and paddle shifters.
The Limited hybrid model is $41,400 and includes premium standard features such as premium perforated leather with heated and ventilated front seats, JBL/Premium HDD audio, safety connect, rear seat heater, rear sunshade, 3-zone HVAC, puddle lamps, HID headlamps and LED DRLs.
The technology package optional on the Limited includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision system and automatic high beams.
The price difference between gasoline and hybrid models for the XLE Touring and the Limited is $1,750. Toyota says this is the smallest difference between hybrid and gas models its entire line-up.
Coincidentally, Toyota celebrated the 25 millionth vehicle manufactured in North America yesterday at a ceremony at its Georgetown, Ky., plant. This event was timed with the start of production for the all-new 2013 Avalon.
The milestone vehicle – a Classic Silver Hybrid Avalon – represents according to Toyota 26 years of manufacturing, a direct investment of nearly $24 billion in North American operations and 365,000 jobs created in the United States.
