Technology. Or just preference.

 

Are you talking about just having AA and CarPlay? Or is the infotainment system leaps and bounds ahead of the Camry?

 

They could be. You would have to compare their options to each other. Personally I want a Avalon TRD instead of a Camry TRD because I am not gonna get rid of my 08 Camry so it feels redundant to have an TRD Camry so I rather get the Avalon TRD for its "luxery"... not like I am buying a car anytime soon...

 

In the past, there's been little difference between Camry and Avalon. The latter is a stretch Camry. I'm meaning differences in motive power, running gear and vehicle chassis stuff. For a while, the struts on the Avalon were more pillowy, but it seems as though that's changed, with Toyota's push to make the Avalon appeal to anyone under 75 -- e.g., with sport handling options.

Historically, the Avalon has a lot more soundproofing than the Camry, but not as much as the Lexus ES series... which is the same as the Avalon except for toys and trim (and, until recently, the fact that the Lexus was built in Japan).

There is -- was, anyway -- a lot more room in the Avalon versus the Camry -- driver room, back passenger room -- though I'm not sure I see that in the 2018 or 2019 Avalon. The Lexus name carries more cachet, but its higher level of automated goodies and extra bells/whistles makes it less attractive if you're keeping it for, say, 10-15 years, when expensive modules begin to reach the end of their useful life.

With sales (2004-2018) of ~37,000 to ~89,000 units/year, the Avalon has to keep coming up at yearly planning meetings as a candidate for retirement.

 

Thanks for the detailed response.

I thought it looked a little longer on the outside vs. the Camry, but specs don't show that much difference. Avalon sounds more futuristic and badass than Camry. When you tell someone you drive a 300hp Camry, they giggle and think of the old 90's models that you see Grandpa and Grandma driving. I love what they have done with the 8th gens, but it somehow carries that stigma. Not that I care too much. I do like the rear end on the Avalon quite a bit. Regarding the Lexus, I originally test drove the IS350 first. It was cool, but I couldn't help but notice how damn similar it was to the v6 Camry. Same specs as far as HP and torque, but without the 15-20k price jump. I used to have a crush on the IS line when it came out, but I actually preferred the look of the new Camry over the IS body. Pocketing the 15k was a big bonus.

 

I don't like that wide grill on the Avalon. Makes the Camry grill seem small by comparison.

 

TRD and maybe XSE grilles are a bit different so that helps them. I still like the mesh grill of the SE too... just ignore the bottom half.

 

Both 8th gen camry and the 5th gen avalon have the same infotainment system so there is no difference there. Though the 2020 Avalon doesn't have android auto but everything else is the same. Both have same engine, both have similar suspension, camry has gas filled shock absorbers while the avalon doesn't, and avalon front and rear disc brake is smaller than the camry. 11.6in avalon and 12in camry.
The avalon xse and touring gets the ANC, Active Noise Control, and fake engine noises. All trims have TSS-P with full speed cruise control, push start, heated front seats, memory seats, and dynamic guidelines. Only the limited and touring gets the ventilated seats, heated rear seats, ICS, RCTB and birds eye view, you would think that it would be standard but it's not. Only the touring gets the AVS. Avalon has more sound silencing pads so it's damn quiet in the cabin.

Would I trade in my xse v6 for the avalon? No. If something happened to my car and i had to get a new one, i would buy the Avalon Touring. Lexus Es350 Fsport would be my second choice. Someone at work recently bought the 2019 lexus es350 and that car is gorgeous. I love the avalon's front grille, looks so much better in person though i hate the rear of the avalon and not a fan of the interior. Avalon's touring headlights are damn good looking though.

 

Though the 2020 Avalon doesn't have android auto but everything else is the same. Both have same engine, both have similar suspension, camry has gas filled shock absorbers while the avalon doesn't, and avalon front and rear disc brake is smaller than the camry. 11.6in avalon and 12in camry.

With today's brake boosters and ECB such small difference is meaningless and instead of gas filled shock absorbers one can get AVS adaptive suspension with fluid filled shocks.

 

camry and avalon still are family/grandparents cars. unless you get the avalon touring or the camry xse. amazing how a trim up could spice up the looks so much

 

LE and XLE look more like grandparents car while the XSE and SE are your parents car. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter.

 

Slow sales = crazy deals to be had on the Avalon.
I bought my Avalon Touring for $32,465.
MSRP was $45,646 with advanced safety package and a bunch of accessories.
I've paid less for my AT than some people paid for their Camry XSE V6.

 

LOL you robbed thar dealership! amazing deal I got my xse v6 for 31.5k but would've taken your deal in a heartbeat
avalon definitely the closest to a Lexus without being a lexus

 

Just saw an Avalon TRD in the showroom yesterday while taking in my car. Stickered at $46K...I'm sure the deals can be had on any Avalon with sedan sales being tepid. The Avalon would likely yield a better deal than the Camry as tike71, but that's YMMV. If you're looking at a Camry V6, the deals on Avalons puts the two cars on equal ground on a money basis.

 

Technically it is a "downgrade" from the XSE but I still love the way it looks and if I really want that "sporty" feel, I could always "upgrade" my 08 Camry. I can make do without the heated steering wheel and heated rear seats because I am in a 08 Camry and I ain't got none of that so I can enjoy the "lesser" current tech more than if I had it. If anything, getting a TRD model is more for looks, and I love the way it looks. On that note though... I would say if anyone wanted a TRD model to wait a couple of years because my bet is that they will eventually "upgrade" it to make it more sporty.

2020 Toyota Avalon TRD Is Still an Avalon, Just a Slightly Angrier One

Toyota Racing Development's efforts prove to be welcomingly less hardcore on the full-size Avalon than on the smaller Camry.

www.caranddriver.com