2008 Toyota Avalon Consumer Reviews

Love My First Toyota

Written by: First Toyota on 11/02/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I am in outside sales and drive approx 25k per yr. I purchase a new car every 3.5-4 yrs and usually purchase fords. I am a big guy and never thought to look to Toyota for just that reason. I was looking for a car that I could get 5 yrs or 125k+ out of and have it be worth a few thousand dollars when I'm done (hopefully this is it). I am 6'2" and over 290 lbs and I am more comfortable in this car than I was in my ford f-150 that I traded from as I don't feel "beat up" at the end of a long ride. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for room/comfort. Still to early to speak to reliability but time will tell. So far avg 24.5- 27.5 mpg city/hwy combined.

Favorite Features

Comfort of the leather seats (the seat extender). Wood grain steering wheel and ride comfort. Blue tooth is awesome ( I avg 25 hrs week talk time).

Suggested Improvements

Power adjustable pedals please. Factory remote starter option.AWD option as well

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Reliable, but...

Written by: Abbood on 10/31/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

This is a very reliable car; I didn't face any of the common problems I used to have with my previous Audi (window hanging, lamp fuse down, etc.). However, it is suitable for older people and a 29 year old like me will get bored of it fairly quickly. I have had this car for a year and I have already started looking.

Favorite Features

Reliability (absolutely headache free car), acceleration, interior design, space.

Suggested Improvements

Driving dynamics, needs more focus on the "fun to drive" area. It is a very reliable boring car.

7 out 8 people found this review helpful

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We Upgraded From BMWs to the Avalon

Written by: Joe-Fix-It on 10/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon XLS 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

After seven BMWs and several other German cars we got smart. No more arrogant service department and $1500 bills to fix something. We upgraded to the Avalon. A summer vacation trip with four adults and lots of luggage saw mileage range from 29 to a high 36 MPG on regular. The rear reclining seats are worth the price of admission. The 'Bluetooth' is simple to set up and use. Best of all is the interior room and comfortable ride. We are a very tall family (I'm 6' 2" and the shortest one). After @18000 miles we have had NOTHING that needed fixing or adjusting

Favorite Features

The auto has great leather seats, very adjustable and reclining rear seats, that sold me! A solid quality car where everything works together to do what you would hope a car would.

Suggested Improvements

Can't think of a thing! I'm a happy camper with the Avalon

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Great value

Written by: Rob C on 10/05/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon XL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I recently purchased this 2008 Avalon XL and I have been very satisfied with it. This vehicle accelerates and handles adequately despite this being a mid-large size sedan. I'm also very surprised but equally impressed with the overall fuel mileage that this vehicle is getting (avg. 29 mpg). The interior cabin is very quiet and is there's plenty of room for up to five people to sit comfortably.

Favorite Features

Great gas mileage, spacious cabin, pleasing exterior and very reliable.

Suggested Improvements

The dislikes would be the way the cup holders are positioned (top one is actually angled downward). Another dislike is the way the one touch drivers/passenger windows sometime operate. There is an anti-catch system in place but it sometimes works when it's not necessary (window goes back down).

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great car for the $

Written by: Manny on 09/24/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon XLS 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Need car after 10 yrs w/Infiniti. Considered many others, 4 & 6 cyl. Avalon smoothest suspension & plenty of amenities; seems as if it's on Lexus LS platform, w/o the price or quite the cache-but also w/o premium gas requirement. Avg > 30 mpg on my first highway drive & overall ave. ~ 24.5 miles per gallon in mixed city and hwy driving. JBL 12 spkr very nice. Highly recommend.

Favorite Features

Ton of space in rear seating area and trunk. Glides over bumps and cruises nicely. You trade a little performance, but I'm ready for a smoother ride and a softer suspension. It's about as big as the big Lexus, Mercedes S or BMW 7 series, but w/o the expense and and headaches.

Suggested Improvements

None yet. I'll post again in a few months after break in.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Avalon XLS

Written by: RL on 09/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon XLS 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

First foreign car I have purchased and pleasantly surprised. We like everything about this car. Very comfortable, excellent engine power, and good fuel economy. Would recommend the Avalon to anyone.

Favorite Features

Engine power, interior finish and comfort

Suggested Improvements

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Just what I wanted, but...

Written by: judy on 09/07/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I was so thrilled to purchase an Avalon Limited in October 2007. It was everything I wanted in a luxury car, except for the battery. In April 2008 when I went out to start it the battery was dead and the car had to be towed. Again in September 2008 the exact same thing happened, except this time rusty water was also dripping out of exhaust, which could not be explained. Even though the work was done under warranty, I am now nervous when I go out of town for fear it will not start. Other than this problem it is a great car. Wish I could feel at ease with it again.

Favorite Features

a/c and heated seats and upholstery ease of driving, roomy backseat; lots of trunk space; just a nice car

Suggested Improvements

Just make sure the batteries don't go bad in such short lengths of time.

9 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Lexus LS for less

Written by: Richard on 09/06/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon XLS 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I have owned a Lexus LS and recently purchased my Avalon. If you could close your eyes while driving it would be hard to tell your were in the Avalon. My family has owned Toyotas since 1971 and some members even drive the LS460. The Avalon is the LS430 in different clothing but performs, drives and rides the same with the exception of the V8 but the Avalon offers sufficient power with the large V6. Great fit and finish and the interior is like sitting in your easy chair.

Favorite Features

Smooth transmission, great fit and finish and great sound system.

Suggested Improvements

Electronic tilt and telescopic steering wheel. More powerful sound system (I'm a hifi nut).Replace the silver around the radio and console with woodgrain instead of the silver trim. Smart key should be available on all models along with woodtrim steering wheel.

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Avalon Limited

Written by: Raymond Soristo on 08/09/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I seriously considered a Lexus 350 EX but the premium fuel factored with a trouble free 148K on the 2001 turned me back to the 2008 Avalon Limited. Size and comfort are unbeatable.

Favorite Features

Laser cruise control, cooling seats and navigation system are upgrades from my 2001.

Suggested Improvements

Break away side view mirrors and a back camera. The exterior paint job is not even close to the quality of my 2001. A Lexus paint job would have helped!!

11 out 11 people found this review helpful

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Boring

Written by: raspar77 on 07/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Avalon Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

This car is boring. OK in almost every respect but not great at anything. Unexciting exterior not too sure about that rear end. Engine ok not what I was used to. Ride a little firm on long trips I feel a little beat up. Fuel economy is good not great. I had an 03 STS that I drove 116,000 miles and it was a great car fun to drive much more comfortable and less tinny than this. I am far from in love with this car it is solid transportation from point A to B but that is it.

Favorite Features

Stereo auto start

Suggested Improvements

How about a new engine? better seats, better sound insulation overall better feel this reminds me of driving a sewing machine down the road.

8 out 35 people found this review helpful

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