Whether you’ve got your eye on the 2022 Toyota Avalon
—the final model year for Toyota’s flagship sedan—or an older Avalon model, there’s some sturdy competition in the mid to full-size sedan category. The Lexus ES and Nissan Maxima are also viable options. Toyota Avalon drivers enjoy the benefit of a vehicle that perfectly combines comfort and performance. But if you’re looking to explore more options in the full-size sedan segment, there are several other vehicles you may enjoy as much or more than the Avalon.
Here to help you get familiar with some of the Toyota Avalon’s top competitors is Jerry
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. In this article, we’ll break down the basic specs of some of the most popular sedans that are similar to the borderline luxury Avalon. Let’s get to it. 4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers 1. Lexus ES
Starting price: $42,025 to $51,025
Selling points: Affordable luxury sedan, smooth, quiet ride quality
Weak spot: Limited cargo capacity, base model comes with a ho-hum four-cylinder engine
If sportiness isn’t at the top of your must-have qualities in a vehicle, you just might fall in love with the elegant and comfortable Lexus ES. While even the base model offers a long of driver assistance features, if you require a little more oomph from the engine, you’ll need to upgrade to at least the Lexus ES 350
. Upgrading to a higher trim level will swap the wimpy 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 3.5-liter V6. The ES is also available with a hybrid powertrain, the Lexus ES 300H
, if getting good fuel economy is a top priority. There’s also an F-Sport trim of the Lexus ES that adds performance-focused attributes like larger wheels. However, this sporty trim is not in the same performance arena as sports sedans from Audi
or BMW
. 2. Nissan Maxima
Starting price: $38,935 to $44,245
Selling points: Stylish inside and out, powerful V6 engine
Weak spot: Continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) detracts from its sportiness
The Nissan Maxima
is an attractive prospect for those who want the convenience of driving a spacious sedan without forgoing a sporty edge. It also more closely mirrors the starting MSRP of the Avalon, which has a starting price between $37,850 and $45,175. To complement the cabin’s spaciousness is a load of impressive standard features like dual-zone automatic climate control and a push-button start. The fuel economy is all right at 24 combined mpg. One thing that’s hard to ignore: The Nissan Maxima has one of the smallest trunks in its vehicle class.
3. Dodge Charger
Starting price: $34,095 to $54,975
Selling points: Offers two V8 engine options, lots of back seat legroom
Weak spot: Locks interior styling, could be too loud for some
The Dodge Charger
is a full-size sedan with no shortage of nostalgic charm and athletic power. While the full-size body style is comparable to the size of the Toyota Avalon, the Charger lacks the same creature comforts and elegance inside its cabin. Equipped with either a 7-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the Charger is no slouch as far as technology goes, but at the end of the day, it is essentially a muscle car with a large engine that could be too loud and gas-hungry for some drivers.
MORE: Dodge Charger GT Lease
4. Kia Stinger
Starting price: $37,435 to $52,635
Selling points: Sleek body style, comfortable cabin, comes with a convenient hatchback
Weak spot: Handling could be better, lacks sportiness of its European competitors
There are a lot of similarities between the Kia Stinger
and the Avalon: close in size, very close in starting MSRP, nice features, and great safety ratings. A four-cylinder turbocharged engine comes standard, but can be upgraded to a heartier V6 as you move up the trim levels. Drivers are sure to love the roomy cabin and hatchback that gives way to ample cargo space, but despite a premium feel and sporty appearance, the Kia Stinger doesn’t wield the same performance chops as European roadsters like the Audi A5
or BMW 4-Series
. 5. Chrysler 300
Starting price: $35,140 to $43,750
Selling points: Spacious, bold exterior design, V8 option for maximum power
Weak spot: Lacking tech features, overall a little too old-school
There’s no denying that the prosperity of the full-sized sedan has fallen out of favor in the SUV age. Like the Toyota Avalon, the Chrysler 300
is roomy and the V6 engine comes standard. There’s a V8 option available, but it proves to be more of a bulky gas-guzzler than a tough powerhouse. The oversized grille and exterior stylings bring a flashiness to the body that the 300 has long been known for. But a lack of modern tech features, especially at the base trim level, makes the overall styling feel passé.
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers 6. Volkswagen Arteon
Starting price: $42,045 to $50,845
Selling points: Nicely designed cabin with good passenger volume and cargo capacity
Weak spot: Rumored to be discontinued after 2023, lacks an upscale feel for the price
Remember what we said about the fall of the full-sized sedan? Joining the death rattle is Volkswagen’s largest sedan, the Volkswagen Arteon
. It’s not that there’s anything glaringly wrong with these vehicles, they’ve mostly just fallen out of fashion with today’s buyers. That being said, the Arteon is a pretty car, especially after undergoing a redesign for the 2022 model year to include the snazzy R-Line package on all trims. It’s sleek on the outside and comfortable within. Its 330-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder and all-wheel drive (AWD) can match the power of a V6 engine.
For a starting MSRP that’s solidly over the $40,000 mark, you could probably put your money toward something a little more exciting to drive.
7. Honda Accord
Starting price: $27,615 to $39,545
Selling points: Straightforward design, user-friendly infotainment system, great handling
Weak spot: Body style creates rear blind spots, cabin storage space is average at best
If you’re wondering how the Honda Accord
made it onto the list of Avalon’s competitors, hear us out. When you opt for the Honda Accord Sport
trim, you can upgrade the engine to a 2-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder with a 10-speed automatic transmission so you won’t be short on power. The minimalistic infotainment touchscreen is easy to navigate through and the backseat is plenty comfortable even for adults. Oh yeah, and its rating from Car and Driver is a 10/10.
If you require that touch of class you get in an Avalon, consider going for the top-tier trim Touring where you’ll get heated and cooled leather seats up front and even heated backseats. Or perhaps you’re looking to improve fuel economy without sacrificing space. The Accord hybrid
might be just what you’re looking for—it has the same passenger volume as its gas-powered counterpart and boasts an enticing combined 43 mpg. 8. Volvo S90
Starting price: $53,895 to $63,095
Selling points: Next-level interior comfort, quality cabin materials, excellent safety features
Weak spot: Heavy steering, finicky touchscreen controls
Although it’s on the pricier side compared to the Avalon, the Volvo
S90 is a full-sized sedan with its eyes on the future. For the 2022 model, even the gas-powered version is a mild hybrid powertrain—if you’re willing to spend on the higher end of the starting price range, you can get the T8 model, which is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Volvo drivers know that they’re behind the wheel of the safest car on the road. The seats and headrests can adjust in a fraction of a second to prevent whiplash, but an added perk to the S90 is its stately interior with beautiful oak and walnut trim plus supreme seat comfort.
The S90 is no slouch in the tech department either, you’ll get a four-year subscription to Google-connected services, so you can access Google apps and services via the infotainment system.
Toyota Avalon vs. the competition
To break down the competition even further, the table below gives you a side-by-side comparison of how the Avalon’s specs hold up to its host of competitors. Let’s take a look.
| | | | | | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined) |
---|
| | V6 or 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine | | | | |
| | Inline four-cylinder engine | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | Turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | Turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine | | | | |
| | Inline four-cylinder, or 2-liter plug-in hybrid | | | | 28/31/30 mpg, 63 mpge (for plug-in hybrid) |
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