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That's interesting....Driving my usual routes where my previous '09 Lexus ES350 and '05 Acura TL would scrape entering and exiting some parking lots, I have yet to experience any scraping with my '13 Avalon Limited...going in and out of those same lots.
Not sure why you say miserable....can you elaborate? Neither I nor my wife can hear the engine AT ALL on the hybrid except on extreme acceleration and even then it is not that intrusive....just a little noisier than the V6. Just drove 270 miles at 75-80 up and down hills, etc. and love the quiet of the TAH.
We're you, perchance, being sarcastic?
Am coming from an accord hybrid and a fit. Fit is rough but great city car. Have stuffed a two stage snow blower in the back and closed the hatch. Going to keep it for utility car.
Accord has nice quiet ride but understeers on corners. Wind noise after Mr Ohio crashed into it in 2008. Otherwise good.
Thought I would try the Avalon this time. Thanks again.
Malcolm
I assume you changed the tires at least once in the 60K that you had it. What tires were you running? CR gave the Camry hybrid a rating of 93 (TAH=86) around the third highest behind some Mercedes and the Telsa which scored 99.
I paid a visit to my local tire dealer. He wasn't enthralled with the Bridgestones. He couldn't understand why Toyota would OEM them if they wanted to sell cars. Then again he wants to sell tires. Around $900 for a set of Michelins MVX4's with rebate. I asked him about going to 60 series tires (0.9 inch greater diameter). He said you could do it but the 60 series tires were not rated as high as the 55 series so you might not stop as fast. Said going to a better 55 series tire would make a big difference.
Look, tell me I'm crazy if you want. I don't care. I also think CR is unreliable. I thought the engine was too noisy. Maybe you wouldn't. I'm used to a Lexus LS. Compared with that - The engine was too noisy.
Not sure what year Camry Hybrid you owned and I've only looked at, driven and compared the '13 Prius, Prius V, Camry, and Avalon Hybrids. Your comment of "miserable from a noise, harshness, vibration & jerky standpoint" does not fit any of the cars we drove. The '13 Avalon Hybrid was the quietest of the bunch and, in fact, is one of the quietest cars I've ever been in. The transition from Electric to ICE is generally seamless in all of the above-mentioned cars and, in the case of the Avalon, you really have to pay attention to even notice any transition at all. It is there, if you want to notice it, but only if you really pay attention. Sounds like your model year was not as refined as they have become. You should at least go and drive an Avalon Hybrid to see if, to you, there is a huge improvement over what you experienced. I'd be interested in your comparison, if you do so.
Thnx for your comments,
Robert
I had the 2013 for 3700 miles and while I was hoping / and had my fingers crossed that the noise and comfort would be better with time, that never happened.
I took the hit, and traded for a 2012, and have never looked back. Yes the 2012 has had a few issues, but none with the ride quality. And as for noise, while the 2013 may have been a bit quieter, if it was, it was just a bit, but comfort, and size in the back seat and truck make up for it.
I had driven the 2013 on many long stretches of smooth highways, and yes under those conditions the car was smooth (But damn, shouldn't have been?). BUT as smooth as it was, it was VERY loud (tire noise), and then when I got on bumpy roads, well then it all came to be.
It was much less comfortable then, and that included the seats, which my wife HATED.
Look, on so many levels, the new avalon is a wonderful car. And to think a few changes would have made a world of difference to so many others.
- Make it the same size as the earlier models
- Make it a Luxury Sedan i.e.
¥ Smooth
¥ Quiet
¥ Reclining Rear Seats
¥ Same spacious trunk (opening)
- Make a "Sports" model, for that other market they are trying to reach. Those folks WOULD have purchased the car, and the others, myself included, could have had their Luxury Sedan (Boat)
This is my 4th Avalon (of more then 36 cars over the years), so I feel like I can say these things with some bases of knowledge. I drive 35,000+ miles a year, and comfort, quiet, tech, luxury for me are important. In my opinion, they shouldn't have messed with the Avalon, they should have brought back the Cecilia for those looking for a Sports car, or again, just simply made a Sports Model for those looking for a sports model.
Toyota says this ISN'T in fact a Premium Luxury Sports Sedan, and that it IS a Premium Luxury Sedan? (with Sports Paddle Shifters, Sports Suspension, Sportier Seats, Low Profile Tires, Sports Mode Option)??? And then there are those Avalons they brought to SEMA?
Just make take on it É great day to unload, sorry
Skip
Toyota may disagree with this assessment as sales of the new Avalon has increased exponentially (see below) over the Generation 3 model. Too bad older folks will have to turn to Buick or Cadillac for the ride that they covet. Frankly I think it is a good thing.
Avalon Sales Data
2012 Vs 2013
Month
January......3,219---4,840
February....3,497---5,703
March........3,327---6,982
April..........2,881---6,321
Source: http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01/toyota-avalon-sales-figures.html
NCEE, at one time Toyota did have a Touring version of the Avalon that had a stiffer suspension.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
I just this week bought a 2013 Toyota Avalon Touring model. I wished that I had read your review first!. I too, like everything about the Toyota Touring model. I like the look of the 18" wheels, I wanted the nav/entune, etc....which is not available on the Premium model so I went with the Touring model. I have had the car 5 days and I am very disappointed in the ride of these crappy tires. Two questions: Have you gone ahead and gotten the Michelin tires yet and if so, how do they ride compared to the Bridgestones (question open for anyone that has traded out these tires) and two: Is it possible to switch out to a 17" wheel and tire with a 55 or greater profile on the Touring model should I decide I can't stand the current situation? I am thinking of switching out to the Michelin 18" first and if it still is not satisfactory, going down to the 17" wheels. I am assuming the suspension and the brake size would be standard on all the models and no different from the premium to the touring models.
Also note that after ranting online about the harsh ride with 18" wheels, Consumer Reports ended up in the print edition this month giving both the V6 (18") and the Hybrid (17") Avalons the same open circle (average) rating in the Ride category. One would have expected at least a half-black circle for the V6 after reading the rant online.
15/55-17 to 215/60-17 Difference
Diameter inches (mm) 26.31 (668.3) 27.16 (689.8) 0.85 (21.5) 3.2%
Width inches (mm) 8.46 (215) 8.46 (215) 0 (0) 0%
Circum. inches (mm) 82.66 (2099.53) 85.32 (2167.07) 2.66 (67.54) 3.2%
Sidewall Height inches (mm) 4.66 (118.25) 5.08 (129) 0.42 (10.75) 9.1%
Revolutions per mile (km) 766.53 (476.3) 742.64 (461.45) -23.89 (-14.85) -3.1%
Changing the 18 inch wheels from stock 45's to 55's
225/45-18 to 225/55-18 Difference
Diameter inches (mm) 25.97 (659.7) 27.74 (704.7) 1.77 (45) 6.8%
Width inches (mm) 8.86 (225) 8.86 (225) 0 (0) 0%
Circum. inches (mm) 81.59 (2072.51) 87.16 (2213.88) 5.57 (141.37) 6.8%
Sidewall Height inches (mm) 3.99 (101.25) 4.87 (123.75) 0.89 (22.5) 22.2%
Revolutions per mile (km) 776.52 (482.51) 726.93 (451.69) -49.59 (-30.81) -6.4%
The diameter of the stock 17 and 18 inch wheels only differs by:
225/45-18 to 215/55-17 Difference
Diameter inches (mm) 25.97 (659.7) 26.31 (668.3) 0.34 (8.6) 1.3%
Width inches (mm) 8.86 (225) 8.46 (215) -0.39 (-10) -4.4%
Circum. inches (mm) 81.59 (2072.51) 82.66 (2099.53) 1.06 (27.02) 1.3%
Sidewall Height inches (mm) 3.99 (101.25) 4.66 (118.25) 0.67 (17) 16.8%
Revolutions per mile (km) 776.52 (482.51) 766.53 (476.3) -9.99 (-6.21) -1.3%
I'm guessing that the 18 inch 55 series tires might be a little tight in the wheel wells.
My local tire dealer said not change the AR of the 17's from 55 to 60 only because you couldn't get the same performance rating in the 60 series.
I'm still considering it both for the added cushioning and the added road clearance if I can find a really good handling and riding 215 60 17 tire.
Any suggestions?
And that's exactly what I'm saying.
Still, with all that said, the Camry is decidedly quieter than any Honda Accord model, especially from Road Noise.
The recent Avalon comments noted here are a good example of this and the confusion is causes. My test ride in a 2013 Limited was quiet. The ride was harder than my '07 but not bad. No idea about tire air pressure. The mag tells us very little except "go drive a hybrid" or whatever and see if you like it. Compare it to whatever else you like and go with the results.. not a lot of help this time around....
Thanks for your reply. This is interesting. If you have the base model with the 17" wheel and tires and you find that the ride is not quite as smooth as earlier models, then it must be a combination as others have said of a stiffer suspension and not just the wheel size. I have driven my new car a few more days now and I am getting more used to a bit firmer ride. I think I will replace my bridgestone tires with the Michelin's on my 18" wheels when the time comes, first rather than ditching the 18" wheels and spending the bucks for the 17" right off the bat. From the sounds of it, that won't be too long coming as I put approx. 21,000.00 a year on a car. If anyone else has had any experience with the tires/wheels I would love to hear any other comments on this subject. Thanks.
By the way, earlier assessments of the Avalon by Motor Trend were highly positive:
http://wot.motortrend.com/2013-motor-trend-car-of-the-year-contender-toyota-aval- - - on-287909.html#axzz2VLgz5W1B
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1210_2013_toyota_avalon_limited_first- - - _test/
Robert N.
Was told that manufacturers pump up the tires to keep them from getting flat spots during periods of storage. Not sure I believe that with todays tires but that is what I was told.
It definitely does have manual gear selection -- I've done it many times. One would think that the self-styled "World's No. 1 Automotive Authority" wouldn't make such a basic error. I also wonder if they checked tire pressures on the Avalon they drove, as mentioned in another post above.
Robert N.
As a former Avalon owner, I can't argue with your conclusion. There is nothing wrong with the Avalon's ride and handling and Toyota would be unwise to change this dynamic since the car is selling so well. However, the center stack and console have an old man's look and perhaps that's an area where Toyota should do a little tweaking.
For those looking for the traditional Avalon ride and great handling, the new Impala is a worthy alternative. In both Car & Driver and Motor Trend comparison tests the new Impala came in second place.
Thanks.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Camry was 60, and now down to around 50, and the SE is even lower than that.
I guess the 2014 Corolla (average age 53) will also see a difference with the new, more aggressive style.
Robert N.
Thank you for the suggestion. The only thing I worry about is getting the psi too low. I know it won't set off an alarm, just concerned with driving with such low tires. I checked my tires the other day and they are all at 33 psi right now which is where I understand what is recommended I will keep the suggestion in mind and might try that. Thanks again for your help. It is appreciated.
You will lose fuel economy by dropping pressure, as you increase rolling resistance, but yu won't feel like you are riding on the spokes.
33-34 psi is a balanced approach, or what would be a happy medium. :shades:
Robert N.
I wish the Bridgstones would hurry up and wear out so I can get some MXV4s but it looks like that is going to be awhile. Maybe, I could sell them on Craiglist.