Brought XLE in Sept. 2014. Like all feature and car but i am disappointed in ride comfort. I had a 2000 Avalon that had a super soft ride. I seem to feel every bump in road with my 2014. Is this firmer ride go with the car? Do higher end Avalon's have same ride?
Smith40
I have the 2014 XLE TOURING and the ride is also terrible. Rides like a log wagon. Surely someone will find a way to soften down the bumps. Otherwise a great car. Everyone says it is designed toward the younger driver. I can't understand why younger drivers want to drive a $38,000.00 log wagon.
I think my Avalon drive and rides pretty great. It's a little floaty at times, but I don't find the ride harsh at all. I've seen a lot of reviews that say the ride is harsher than the previous model, but I can't imagine that being true. Any softer and you wouldn't know if you were driving straight lol.
The world is changing. I like the ride OK on my XLE and love that I can keep the cruise set at 62 on the twisty Wisconsin roads. Something the old ones don't do well.
The car is quiet, nice power, no rattles, very low wind noise. I'm happy.
I suppose liking this car depends on your driving style and what kind of roads you drive on.
The car is quiet, nice power, no rattles, very low wind noise. I'm happy.
I suppose liking this car depends on your driving style and what kind of roads you drive on.
18" wheels, V-rated 45 series tires and thinly padded seat bottom = harsh, bumpy ride
Solution = 17" wheels and T-rated 55 or 60 series tires, or 18" wheels and 50 series tires; and, additional foam between seat bottom cover and top of OEM seat cushion per below:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...-4th-generation-2013/723697-how-install-additional-foam-avalon-seat-bottom.html
Solution = 17" wheels and T-rated 55 or 60 series tires, or 18" wheels and 50 series tires; and, additional foam between seat bottom cover and top of OEM seat cushion per below:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...-4th-generation-2013/723697-how-install-additional-foam-avalon-seat-bottom.html
Someone needs to come up with a tried and proven tire brand/model/size solution. Like maybe the Michelin Energy Saver A/S that I know from first hand experience gives the 2014 Camry an acceptably comfortable ride or the Hankook Optimo H727.
I am thinking that the type of tire/speed rating is the first critical factor. The second critical factor is the actual tire size. Looking at Tire Rack specifications, different brands of tires with the same nominal size have significantly different actual tread width, section width and section height dimensions. These dimensions can make a difference in ride comfort and handling.
I have been analyzing the differences between the stock 215/55-17 and the larger 225/55-17 and 215/60-17 sizes. The 225/55-17 is slightly wider and taller than the stock size with 778 Revs per mile vs. 791 Revs per mile for the stock tire, a difference of 1.643%. The 215/60-17 is taller yet with 764 Revs per mile, a difference of 3.413%. Both of these larger sizes with fit the Avalon Hybrid according to the tire fitment websites and my physical measurements.
My question is: is the 225/55-17 a large enough increase in sidewall, along with the softer sidewall of a T-rated tire to make the ride comfort improvement I want? The 225/55-17 would probably handle better than the 215/60-17. If not, then will the taller 215/60-17 adversely affect handling? I plan to visit a highly reputable local tire dealer in the near future and physically compare the above two larger sizes as well as get their recommendation(s).
I have previously bought only Michelin; however, Michelin's reviews and ratings have fallen relative to other tire brands, yet they continue to want a large price premium. Other tire brands have improved quality to the point that I now think that some of them are as good as or better than the comparable Michelin. I am considering the General AltiMax RT43 standard all-season T-rated tire. The RT43 is the highest consumer rated standard all-season tire on Tire Rack, ahead of the Michelin Defender. The RT43 is also made in H and V speed ratings.
I am optimistic that a change of tires will cure the ride issue for me as I have done this same type of change on my previous 2007 Camry with good results.
I have been analyzing the differences between the stock 215/55-17 and the larger 225/55-17 and 215/60-17 sizes. The 225/55-17 is slightly wider and taller than the stock size with 778 Revs per mile vs. 791 Revs per mile for the stock tire, a difference of 1.643%. The 215/60-17 is taller yet with 764 Revs per mile, a difference of 3.413%. Both of these larger sizes with fit the Avalon Hybrid according to the tire fitment websites and my physical measurements.
My question is: is the 225/55-17 a large enough increase in sidewall, along with the softer sidewall of a T-rated tire to make the ride comfort improvement I want? The 225/55-17 would probably handle better than the 215/60-17. If not, then will the taller 215/60-17 adversely affect handling? I plan to visit a highly reputable local tire dealer in the near future and physically compare the above two larger sizes as well as get their recommendation(s).
I have previously bought only Michelin; however, Michelin's reviews and ratings have fallen relative to other tire brands, yet they continue to want a large price premium. Other tire brands have improved quality to the point that I now think that some of them are as good as or better than the comparable Michelin. I am considering the General AltiMax RT43 standard all-season T-rated tire. The RT43 is the highest consumer rated standard all-season tire on Tire Rack, ahead of the Michelin Defender. The RT43 is also made in H and V speed ratings.
I am optimistic that a change of tires will cure the ride issue for me as I have done this same type of change on my previous 2007 Camry with good results.
Pretty sure all of these will also fit.
225/55-17
235/50-17
245/50-17
255/45-17
255/50-17
Discount Tire/Americas Tire has always matched up tires on all of my cars for the last 30 some years.
Any tires will work, but a few small points. And are generalizations and your specific tire may be an exception, but after four years in the industry building tires and 35 years wearing them out this is some additional info for you to consider.
The T rating or H/V/W/Z are speed ratings and the construction is the overriding factor to consider
W, Y and Z are over kill for the Avalon.
S - Up to 112 mph
T - Up to 118 mph
U - Up to 124 mph
H - Up to 130 mph
V - Up to 149 mph
W - Up to 168 mph
Y - Up to 186 mph
Z - 149 mph and over
The speed limit is based on design limit for destruction. eg. "When will the tires delaminate or shred if pushed past the rated limit?
The belts/plies tread are wrapped and reinforced and designed for handling.
Radials will roll easier that bias ply. Weight of the car will wear out the tires quickly and as you know the AV is not a lightweight.
Generally the higher speed ratings also have a proportionally softer rubber compound on the tread. This accounts for softness and stickiness and ease of wear.
(When you find a W/Y/Z tire with mileage warranty, it is rare. They wear out quicker because they are generally softer rubber compounds.
The belts/plys are the stiffening factor.
The tires will have markings for side plies. Aramid or Nylon normally. The Steel is usually on the tread. The side of the tire will also be indicate 1 2 or 3 belts/plys.
If you can find a tire store you can find some tire samples and feel the sidewalls and check their flexibility while they are off the rim.
Compare a Goodyear/Pirelli/Bridgestone Z or W rated tire and then a S/T/H and you'll see immediately the difference.
You probably should use the feel of the tire off the rim as a factor.
The plus up for V is that the sidewalls are built to give a little more to keep the full tread on the contact surface. and they are stickyer.
I would avoid the T and minimum H.
If price is a big factor, consider that you can get 40,000 miles on most tires. Some claim 80,000 now.
Typically a 4 year tire. At that point the exterior rubber is starting to degrade.
And it will get harder/harsher ride and lack of flex.
if you buy $80-100 tires or $150 the difference of the set of 4 is $200 for the set?
That's $50 a year for great tires or tires that might be...
I'll be trying to find a Yokohama YK 580 or Michelin Premier V rated tire.
Had the Yoko's on two heavy Volvos and they are nice.
Discount tire will trade out any tires in 30 days if you don't like them...
Nothing in Maryland that I can find.
225/55-17
235/50-17
245/50-17
255/45-17
255/50-17
Discount Tire/Americas Tire has always matched up tires on all of my cars for the last 30 some years.
Any tires will work, but a few small points. And are generalizations and your specific tire may be an exception, but after four years in the industry building tires and 35 years wearing them out this is some additional info for you to consider.
The T rating or H/V/W/Z are speed ratings and the construction is the overriding factor to consider
W, Y and Z are over kill for the Avalon.
S - Up to 112 mph
T - Up to 118 mph
U - Up to 124 mph
H - Up to 130 mph
V - Up to 149 mph
W - Up to 168 mph
Y - Up to 186 mph
Z - 149 mph and over
The speed limit is based on design limit for destruction. eg. "When will the tires delaminate or shred if pushed past the rated limit?
The belts/plies tread are wrapped and reinforced and designed for handling.
Radials will roll easier that bias ply. Weight of the car will wear out the tires quickly and as you know the AV is not a lightweight.
Generally the higher speed ratings also have a proportionally softer rubber compound on the tread. This accounts for softness and stickiness and ease of wear.
(When you find a W/Y/Z tire with mileage warranty, it is rare. They wear out quicker because they are generally softer rubber compounds.
The belts/plys are the stiffening factor.
The tires will have markings for side plies. Aramid or Nylon normally. The Steel is usually on the tread. The side of the tire will also be indicate 1 2 or 3 belts/plys.
If you can find a tire store you can find some tire samples and feel the sidewalls and check their flexibility while they are off the rim.
Compare a Goodyear/Pirelli/Bridgestone Z or W rated tire and then a S/T/H and you'll see immediately the difference.
You probably should use the feel of the tire off the rim as a factor.
The plus up for V is that the sidewalls are built to give a little more to keep the full tread on the contact surface. and they are stickyer.
I would avoid the T and minimum H.
If price is a big factor, consider that you can get 40,000 miles on most tires. Some claim 80,000 now.
Typically a 4 year tire. At that point the exterior rubber is starting to degrade.
And it will get harder/harsher ride and lack of flex.
if you buy $80-100 tires or $150 the difference of the set of 4 is $200 for the set?
That's $50 a year for great tires or tires that might be...
I'll be trying to find a Yokohama YK 580 or Michelin Premier V rated tire.
Had the Yoko's on two heavy Volvos and they are nice.
Discount tire will trade out any tires in 30 days if you don't like them...
Nothing in Maryland that I can find.
I'd try an affordable, tall, P215/60R17, soft rubber compound tire that has good reviews for ride comfort and quietness. Like the Hankook Optimo H727: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...ok&tireModel=Optimo+H727&partnum=16TR7H727&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes
You could order two of them at first from tirerack.com to install on the front wheels and then if you notice a big improvement in ride comfort order the other two for the rear wheels. Tirerack will ship to your home address or directly to a tire shop of your choice for a nominal UPS Ground fee.
You could order two of them at first from tirerack.com to install on the front wheels and then if you notice a big improvement in ride comfort order the other two for the rear wheels. Tirerack will ship to your home address or directly to a tire shop of your choice for a nominal UPS Ground fee.
The 2015 Ford Fusion has a genuinely soft, absorbent and library quiet ride if those qualities are a priority. It also has outstanding pressure point relieving seats so you can drive for hours without getting sore. Too bad it's not a mechanically reliable car for more than about 4-5 years.
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata and Genesis also have reasonably soft rides though they are not quite as smooth and quiet riding as the Fusion and the seat of the Sonata is not quite as comfortable on long drives. They have very long warranties.
The ride of the 2015 Camry LE and XLE is smoother than the 2013-15 Avalon, but its still busier and stiffer than a 2007 Avalon and their seats are smaller and harder.
I just got a 2015 Camry LE and I'll have to install a seat cover that has some memory foam in it to make the seat bottom tolerably comfortable on long drives. I'll also need to buy and install about 100 pounds of dynamat type noise and vibration damping material onto the floorpan to reduce road/tire noise and body vibration levels to the refinement level of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata.
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata and Genesis also have reasonably soft rides though they are not quite as smooth and quiet riding as the Fusion and the seat of the Sonata is not quite as comfortable on long drives. They have very long warranties.
The ride of the 2015 Camry LE and XLE is smoother than the 2013-15 Avalon, but its still busier and stiffer than a 2007 Avalon and their seats are smaller and harder.
I just got a 2015 Camry LE and I'll have to install a seat cover that has some memory foam in it to make the seat bottom tolerably comfortable on long drives. I'll also need to buy and install about 100 pounds of dynamat type noise and vibration damping material onto the floorpan to reduce road/tire noise and body vibration levels to the refinement level of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata.
I don't understand why anyone would buy a car that rides too rough for them!
My wife and I both like the ride and we are 77. It has the continental tires at 34 psi. There is no extra padding in the seats.
However, all of our cars ride about the same. And they all handle well, that is why we bought them.:smile:
jim
My wife and I both like the ride and we are 77. It has the continental tires at 34 psi. There is no extra padding in the seats.
However, all of our cars ride about the same. And they all handle well, that is why we bought them.:smile:
jim
Well we all won't wrong, it took Toyota awhile, but they decided enough is enough, and the 2016 will come with softer riding suspension … now we need to waiting and see what that means.
Skip
PS I'm one of those folks who traded his 2013 in for a 2012, because of the ride, so I'm reasonably excited to see what the end results will be.
Skip
PS I'm one of those folks who traded his 2013 in for a 2012, because of the ride, so I'm reasonably excited to see what the end results will be.
After turning 1000 mi o our 2014 Avalon Hybrid Touring I can say the ride is great and the overall comfort and performance is just what I was looking for in a larger car. I had a 2012 Camry XLE hybrid and really liked that car and was very impressed by the mileage. Whenever I was in for service over the last 15 years with my Toyotas I checked out all the Toyotas in the showroom. In 2013 I notice the Avalon and in person it looked like a great car coming from the Toyota brand. I'm 6'2" and have moved from a Corolla years back which was too confining for my size to a 2001 Camry which was nice, and then a 2005 ,and 2012 Camry which were 80% of the space I was looking for. The move to a Hybrid in 2012 really made a great impression on me with the fuel savings and technology, as well as the reliability and lack of belts and low brake maintenance.
The 2014 Avalons had some great incentives this year and my dealer recommended checking one out since he knows I liked the bigger size of the Avalon and liked the 2013 when it came out. So I test drove one and really liked the comfort and feel of a smaller car and better steering feel than the camry and smooth yet connected ride. I do like the improved handling and really enjoy the driving experience along with the exceptional gas mileage for a full size car. I have seen some sub zero weather the last week and the firm ride and road ripples do get a bit rough on the firmer suspension. Today I took a ride and it was 28F and went down the worst road I ride on which is like a washboard and is ready to be repaved. The ride was very comfortable and more so than my 2012 Camry.
If the 2014 TAH Touring I bought had a squishy ride I don't think I would have bought the car. There are days where a super plush ride would be nice, but overall I prefer the firmer dampened improved handling the 2013+ Avalon has for everyday commuting. I drive 14 miles each day to and from work which includes some nice windy inland lake roads at 35mph, some rural 55 highway, some 45 highway and then a few miles of city 25-45mph with a few stoplights.
The Avalon size is great for my "tall" size, the handling makes this large wheelbase car feel nimble and just right for what I was looking for. My knees no longer bang into the center console and there just seems to be more elbow room with well placed arm rests for my build. Reliability and efficiency is important also since we live in a rural area and want to avoid visiting the dealer and gas station as much as possible. So this car fits my M.O. and with incentives it became affordable for my auto budget.
If I was retired and out of the rat race daily commuting I might see leaning towards the "old" Avalon ride, but now that I'm driving this 14 TAH Touring I'm thinking it would be the right blend of handling and comfort as far as the ride goes. So a choice here would be a great thing. Toyota will be wise to give ride options on the 2016 Avalon which would certainly open up the car to a wider range of customers desiring the cushion ride and willing to give up handling/road feel. It's a body style that could transcend sporty and luxury style. Let the ride be an option and I'm sure the market will open up.
Then we can all argue which ride is better. heehee.
The 2014 Avalons had some great incentives this year and my dealer recommended checking one out since he knows I liked the bigger size of the Avalon and liked the 2013 when it came out. So I test drove one and really liked the comfort and feel of a smaller car and better steering feel than the camry and smooth yet connected ride. I do like the improved handling and really enjoy the driving experience along with the exceptional gas mileage for a full size car. I have seen some sub zero weather the last week and the firm ride and road ripples do get a bit rough on the firmer suspension. Today I took a ride and it was 28F and went down the worst road I ride on which is like a washboard and is ready to be repaved. The ride was very comfortable and more so than my 2012 Camry.
If the 2014 TAH Touring I bought had a squishy ride I don't think I would have bought the car. There are days where a super plush ride would be nice, but overall I prefer the firmer dampened improved handling the 2013+ Avalon has for everyday commuting. I drive 14 miles each day to and from work which includes some nice windy inland lake roads at 35mph, some rural 55 highway, some 45 highway and then a few miles of city 25-45mph with a few stoplights.
The Avalon size is great for my "tall" size, the handling makes this large wheelbase car feel nimble and just right for what I was looking for. My knees no longer bang into the center console and there just seems to be more elbow room with well placed arm rests for my build. Reliability and efficiency is important also since we live in a rural area and want to avoid visiting the dealer and gas station as much as possible. So this car fits my M.O. and with incentives it became affordable for my auto budget.
If I was retired and out of the rat race daily commuting I might see leaning towards the "old" Avalon ride, but now that I'm driving this 14 TAH Touring I'm thinking it would be the right blend of handling and comfort as far as the ride goes. So a choice here would be a great thing. Toyota will be wise to give ride options on the 2016 Avalon which would certainly open up the car to a wider range of customers desiring the cushion ride and willing to give up handling/road feel. It's a body style that could transcend sporty and luxury style. Let the ride be an option and I'm sure the market will open up.
Then we can all argue which ride is better. heehee.
It appears that most of us who complain live in the northeast and or areas where the roads aren't like glass. We don't find the ride very comfortable, but those who live in areas where the roads are smoother, less bumps, no frost hives and such find the ride to be very nice … makes sense to me. Trouble is, we all don't live in those areas, so we would like a car that rides comfortably in our areas too.
They did get out of the Avalon what they wanted the past few years, that being increased sales, now it's on to the rest of us, and then they will have done themselves well, serving 2 sets of drivers.
They did get out of the Avalon what they wanted the past few years, that being increased sales, now it's on to the rest of us, and then they will have done themselves well, serving 2 sets of drivers.
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