Review: 2020 Toyota Avalon XSE Hybrid Struts Its Stuff as Purposely Effortless

The Toyota Avalon is the corporation's largest front-wheel drive sedan and serves as its flagship vehicle here in the United States. A 1995 version of the Avalon was initially introduced at the Chicago International Auto Show in February of 1994 and launched for sale later in the year. The Avalon has always been a front-wheel drive sedan powered by a V6 engine. It originally shared its platform only with the Toyota Camry; but after its fifth generation refresh in 2018, the Avalon now shares its New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform (GA-K) with the Camry, the Lexus ES, 3 SUVs, and a van.

Most Fuel Efficient Ever

When a buyer goes shopping for a hybrid, the number one concern on their list is typically fuel economy. After that it is generally safety and finally styling. That is great news if you are trying to sell Avalon hybrids because it easily checks all the boxes. 2020 will be the start of the eighth year for the Avalon hybrid and is also into its second generation refresh. There are not many hybrids currently on the market that have that kind of success in their rear view mirrors.

The 2020 Avalon is being billed as the most fuel efficient Avalon ever because the engineers at Toyota have not been resting on their past success and accomplishments. The new hybrid will improve by 3 mpgs over the previous generation Avalon hybrid, leaving many non-EV compacts and subcompacts green with envy. The engineers have accomplished this by using the more efficient Toyota Hybrid System (THS II). It is a power system that doesn't rely solely on the internal combustible engine (ICE) for its power source, but a combination of the new 2.5-liter Dynamic Force incline four-cylinder engine and two separate electric motors (MG1, MG2).

• MG1 Function: Runs generator, starts engine, charges hybrid battery
• MG2 Function: Drives front wheels, regeneration during braking

The combination of the two systems allows for high-speed combustion technology and a variable control system to achieve greater thermal efficiency resulting in higher output due to a reduction in energy losses associated with, among other things, exhaust and cooling systems and the movement of mechanical parts. That is a lot of technical jargon to say the new 2020 Avalon hybrid has been designed to create 176 hp @ 5,700 rpm (and 163 pounds of torque) plus 118 hp from the electric motors which when combined will produce a total of 215 horsepower. That translates at the gas pump to an EPA approved 43/43/43 mpg city/highway/combined.

Transmission

The primary purpose of any transmission, regardless of the type, is to efficiently transfer power from the engine through the drivetrain to the wheels. Every engine that is designed is built to produce the most efficient power at a predetermined rpm. This is called the sweet spot. One of the most important keys to better fuel efficiency is keeping the engine in its sweet spot for as long as possible. Another possible factor contributing to the Avalon Hybrid's rise in mpgs is the transmission was upgraded for 2020 from a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to the more efficient electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT).

The 30-second-read version about the difference between CVT and the ECVT is this: The CVT responds by computer to pressure applied by the vehicle's driver and then adjusts a hydraulic pulley system to the RPM sweet spot we discussed earlier. The ECVT uses electric motor/generators controlled by a computer to continuously seek out the RPM sweet spot and quickly making the gear ratio change. The ECVT is proactively seeking while the CVT is always reactionary. It has been suggested in professional white papers that using the ECVT system in a hybrid vehicle will see a 1-2% improvement in fuel consumption compared to a conventional hybrid system. I think the Avalon has shown that statement to be true.

Top Toyota Safety Tech

Avalon's standard Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite of safety systems and technologies represents one step more step toward achieving Toyota Motor Corporation's ultimate goal of zero casualties from traffic accidents. TSS-P bundles cutting-edge active safety technologies including Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA); and Automatic High Beams (AHB). Additional standard safety technology includes Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Back Guide Monitor (BGM). Also available are Panoramic View Monitor with Alert (PVMA) and Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS), which now includes a Rear Cross Traffic Braking (RCTB) system. All 2020 Avalons have 10 standard airbags and Toyota's Star Safety System which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System, and Smart Stop Technology. All Avalons also come equipped with a standard backup camera.

A number of years ago, I needed to take a trip from Dallas to the Midwest to see family. I was able to secure a press loan Avalon Hybrid (gen 4) for the trip. That trip in the Avalon hybrid was one of those awakening moments when I realized I could go eight hours and not have to stop for gas. I was hooked not on hybrids per se, but on the Avalon. It was efficient, safe, practical, and had conservative styling. Fast forward to today. The past body lines are not even visible. The new platform allows this Avalon to be bigger, badder, and better. It is stylish, sporty, and cool even as a hybrid. Just like then, I would be very comfortable recommending the Avalon Hybrid to a buyer that is looking for an safe, efficient, luxurious, and relatively affordable five-passenger sedan.

My only negative reaction about the Avalon is due to the fact that the 13.2 gallon fuel efficiency average is down from 17 gallons. I have to assume it is sharing space with batteries, transaxles, and all the 'stuff' it takes to keep a top notch hybrid running. Quick travel mpg math: 13 gallons x 43mpg = 559 miles. With just a 13-gallon tank, I can still go roughly an extra 80 miles or nine hours without having to stop. Sold! But what if I had the full 17 gallons ... Yes! I could do the full 11-hour trip without stopping.

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Toyota | Avalon XSE Hybrid