I purchased a 2011 Avalon a couple of months ago. It's our third Toyota - we've had a 2006 Tundra Crew Cab, a 2008 Camry Hybrid and now the Avalon. We've never had a single malfunction on any of the vehicles - not even a burned out light bulb.
Traded the Camry Hybrid in on the Avalon because I wanted more power, more space, a smoother ride and heated leather. The Hybrid was great for mileage, but I spent too much time watching the mileage meter and after awhile it just wasn't any fun.
So far we really like the Avalon - smooth, strong engine and very comfortable. We travel from upstate New York to Fort Worth, Texas 2-3 times a year to visit relatives and I'm looking forward to our next trip there.
I got the base version with the memory seat option. All of the Limiteds in my area had the Nav option, which I didn't want. I prefer to use my android phone for navigation and the cost of the Nav option was hard to justify.
I have the '11 Ltd without Nav. On your trip expect to get +30 mpg, without feeling like you've driven in a sardine can. hehe.
I'd love to see that kind of mileage, but I usually cruise at 75-80 mph with one eye on the radar detector. I'd be very happy with mileage above 25 mpg!!
I like my '11 Limited. It seems that the mileage drops off above 70. My record mileage was 33.6mpg on a 3 hour trip going the speed limit. After changing the oil with Mobil1 0W-30 synthetic (a new eco oil) , I recorded a higher mileage of 36.3mpg on a similar trip. This is in the summer. Cold temperatures have a big effect though. Typical summer gas mileage has been about 27mpg, winter...22. On a cool morning, the gas mileage drops like a rock as the engine revs high until the engine warms up. ...Which seems to take forever here in Mass. This car takes the longest time to blow heat, than any car I have ever used, but I arrive at my destination relaxed. No drama.
^^ Yes it does take forever to heat up. All the 3.5's are the same, Sienna is the worst. Did you shop around when you bought your Avalon? We might have run into eachother
the avalons with JBL do they say JBL anywhere? mine is supposed to have it, but it doesn't say JBL on the head unit.
If you drive a Limited Avalon, you have JBL.
Or if you have a base w/NAV you've got it. If you dont have nav it may not say JBL anywhere, and the way you can check is by moving the passenger seat all the way forward, you'll see the JBL unit under the seat if you have it.
Or, if you bought the car new, check the window sticker. If it has option code "EJ" its a JBL car.
Or if you have a base w/NAV you've got it. If you dont have nav it may not say JBL anywhere, and the way you can check is by moving the passenger seat all the way forward, you'll see the JBL unit under the seat if you have it.
Or, if you bought the car new, check the window sticker. If it has option code "EJ" its a JBL car.
I have the XLS without NAV an I just checked under the passenger seat and there’s nothing there but rear seat air... I guess the dealership was full of it when they told me I had that option.
Last edited by TheUltimateBohab; 10-09-2011 at 08:56 PM.
Reason: spelling
Are these models void of the erratic shifting/overly sensitive gas pedals their predecessors had?
I haven't put much mileage on my 2011 yet (2,250 miles), but the transmission doesn't "hunt", shifts smoothly and the throttle isn't overly sensitive. I've had a Tundra, Camry Hybrid and now the Avalon . . . all have quick initial throttle action, but nothing that isn't easy to learn.
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Did you get the Limited or the "base" (nothing basic about it 
)?
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