2008 Toyota Avalon Review

Overall, the Avalon is eight inches longer than Toyota's top-selling Camry sedan. By most exterior dimensions, Avalon is roughly the same size as the Ford Taurus, Chevrolet Impala, and Chrysler 300. Compared to European luxury sedans, it's larger than the mid-size Mercedes E-Class, but smaller than the full-size S-Class sedan.

The Avalon dates to 1995, and it underwent its third wheels-up overhaul for 2005. The 2008 model gets what the car industry calls a mid-cycle update, or noticeable styling tweaks that are as extensive as a car usually gets between complete redesigns. Those changes are most obvious in front, where Avalon sports a new bumper and grille with chrome-trimmed horizontal bars. The lower bumper features integrated fog lamps on Touring, XLS and Limited models.

In side view, subtle character lines below the windows and above the door sills add a hint of sculpting to the Avalon's flanks. For 2008, the Touring and XLS add chrome door handles previously reserved for the Limited. From the rear, the tall rear deck and big rear valance enhance the air of elegance and substance, while new smoked tail light lenses add a hint more flair. The Avalon Touring is distinguished by a low rear spoiler.

Lots of the Avalon's styling features have been optimized to reduce wind noise inside the car, including the shape of the windshield pillars and side mirrors and low placement of the wipers under the hood line. The Avalon Limited upgrades with unique, sound dampening glass in the windshield.

The Limited's mirrors also include a couple model specific features, starting with LED turn signals that are visible to other drivers in the glass. We like the bright LED lights under those mirrors, because they flood the ground below the doors with light as you approach in darkness.