Toyota Reveals the Refreshed 2016 Avalon

2016 Toyota Avalon (Credit: © Toyota )

For 2016, Toyota is releasing a lightly refreshed version of its range-topping Avalon sedan, and it unveiled the new model at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show. The changes to the full-size sedan are not comprehensive, but they should be enough to help keep the sedan fresh while Toyota devises a plan to help it catch up with the sales leader in its class, the Chevy Impala.

For 2016, the Avalon is split into five trim levels – XLE, XLE Plus, XLE Premium, Limited, and Touring – with the top-of-the-line Touring model standing apart from the rest of the lineup as a sportier model that features a sport-tuned suspension, an exclusive fascia, grey-painted 18-inch wheels, LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, and its unique Touring badges.

Updates specific to the XLE and XLE Plus trim levels include new 17-inch standard wheels, a standard 7-inch Entune Audio Plus screen, standard premium woodgrain dash trim, and a tire-specific TPMS. The Limited model gets new 18-inch Super Chrome wheels, while the Hybrid Limited gets the same wheels, but they are 17-inch rollers instead of 18-inch.

Across the Avalon lineup, the model receives a new front-end design courtesy of a redesigned front, lower grille that is now wider and lower, a narrower front upper grille, new turn signals in the place of last year’s turn signals, updated LED taillights, and a chrome rear bumper accent. As I said, the 2016 Avalon’s exterior isn’t comprehensively updated, but the goal here is to keep customers interested in the model while Toyota takes its time coming up with the next-gen model.

The interior of the Avalon has changed even less, as the only update of note is grey accent stitching now graces the light grey interior color.

There is no mention of pricing, but expect just a $500 to $1,000 increase over the 2015 model, putting the 2016 Avalon at starting price of around $32,785 to $33,285.