I am a firm believer in the idea that cars have personalities. Some are very extreme, like the Mustang Shelby in terms of being macho, and some very subtle yet bold, like an E class Mercedes.
Sometimes, not having a distinct character can be an identity in itself, especially if the car is very functional in nature. Most of the time, the engine, the gearbox, the drive train and exhaust system along with the suspension make up the intrinsic character of a car. This is why no two brands ever feel quite the same to drive because there are numerous possibilities available to the manufacturer to create the kind of feel that the car imparts to the driver and the passengers.
An easy drive
I recently had the pleasure of driving the 2011 Toyota Avalon for a few days. The impression I was left with at the end of the test drive was that the car is so well engineered that you completely forget about the mechanical and electronic aspects which help you get from Point A to Point B without the slightest hint of struggle, wind or road noise on a suspension that absorbs tiny pebbles and speed breakers with the same ease. Essentially, you don't feela thing. The 2011 Avalon does what every car is meant to do if you consider the dictionary meaning of an automobile. Like most Toyota sedans, the ride comfort leaves nothing to be desired. The suspension system that's usedin these cars can give most European premium car manufacturers a run for their money, not in terms of technology, but in terms of the end result that the passengers don't feela thing and can enjoy a quiet, smooth ride in the rear seats.
Neat to look at
The exterior design of the new Avalon is very no-nonsense although the headlights and front grille look very smart. It looks a lot like the Toyota Corolla, except that its bigger and a little more detailed. The alloy wheels are a perfect match for the body. On the road, it carries with it the usual Toyota road presence and stance.
The interiors are spacious, well built, functional and bare at the same time. I have always thought the interiors are what define the feel of the car, irrespective of how well it performs. The seats are comfy and add to the luxurious feel that the car offers to its occupants. There is a lot of leg room available to all passengers and this makes long journeys very comfortable, especially with the cup holders in all the right places.
Delivers on its promises
Driving the Avalon felt exactly as I had expected. The 3.5 litre V6 engine that outputs 268bhp to the front wheels makes very little noise and somehow feels virtually nonexistent at all times.
You can hardly hear the engine as it starts up and unless you really push it on the road, you don't hear it at all. The only indication you have that the engine is running at standstill is the rpm indicator on the dashboard. The sound insulation along with the exhaust design is so well done that I am yet to come across a worthy rival.
On highways it feels just as stable as its big brother the Lexus ES and the ride comfort is really good.
I would say that the Avalon is the most cost effective way to own a car to be chauffeured in.
The manoeuvrability of the car on city roads is not bad at all given its size. In short, it performs as expected.
The 6-speed auto transmission, like the engine, feels non-existent. The gear shifts are so effortless and smooth that one wonders what's really going on under the hood.
On the highways the Avalon feels quiet and stable to the point that it could get a bit boring.
Road noise at highway speed is almost non-existent and that is a rare feature in this segment. Once behind the wheel, the driver gets the comforting feeling that nothing could ever go wrong with this car.
User-friendly
In terms of gadgetry, the Avalon packs everything a modern sedan needs. It comes with navigation, an audio system that is compatible with our everyday devices like USB flash drives and the iPod and it also has Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity.
The Avalon test drive experience was unique in that it was very difficult to find something wrong with the car. It gives you the assurance of being a well-built car. It focuses on being mechanically perfect to a point where the car is not very exciting to drive.
In short, it's too smooth and quiet for my taste. Toyota's massive sales over the past decade are proof that functionality and reliability are paramount in choosing the right car and this brand has always managed to deliver the same. At a price of Dh140,000 this is a car that offers a little more legroom and gadgetry than the Camry and it fits in well as a family sedan or a second car that would do anything but die on you no matter what. Reliability has always been Toyota's strength and the Avalon offers that and more if you are looking for a family sedan that's all about functionality.
- Philip Shane is a Dubai-based motoring enthusiast and a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers, UK
