The 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid is the gasoline-electric version of the fifth-generation Avalon (model code XX50), the full-size sedan that serves as Toyota’s flagship in the United States, Canada, China and the Middle East. Toyota introduced the fifth-generation Avalon in 2018 as a 2019 model-year car, moving it to the TNGA GA-K platform and offering the hybrid drivetrain across most trims.
The Avalon Nameplate
Toyota launched the Avalon in late 1994 for the 1995 model year as a replacement for the rear-wheel-drive Cressida, and it has been built at Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant ever since. The name comes from the legendary island of Arthurian romance, fitting Toyota’s habit of naming sedans after words for royalty and crowns. Through five generations the Avalon has been Toyota’s largest front-wheel-drive sedan, and it has often shared its platform with the Lexus ES.
Fifth-Generation Avalon (XX50)
The XX50 Avalon went into production in April 2018 and was sold as a 2019-2022 model in the United States. It shares the GA-K platform with the eighth-generation Camry and the Lexus ES, and used the same platform in the related Crown sold in China. The hybrid was available in XLE, XSE and Limited trims, while a 3.5-liter V6 model with 301 hp was also offered.
Hybrid Powertrain and Fuel Economy
The Avalon Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter A25A-FXS four-cylinder engine with an electric motor in Toyota’s power-split hybrid system. Combined output is 215 hp, and power reaches the front wheels through an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT). The hybrid uses a compact 1.0 kWh lithium-ion battery, which replaced a nickel-metal hydride pack on earlier Toyota hybrids.
The EPA rated the 2019 Avalon Hybrid at 43 mpg in the city, 43 mpg on the highway and 43 mpg combined. Its 13.2-gallon tank gives a rated driving range of about 568 miles, and the car is certified for regular gasoline.
Dimensions and Packaging
The Avalon rides on a 113-inch (2,870 mm) wheelbase – the longest of any Toyota car on sale in the United States – and measures about 196 inches long, 72.8 inches wide and 56.5 inches tall. Toyota packaged the hybrid battery under the rear seat so luggage space is unchanged: the trunk holds 16 cubic feet and passenger volume is about 103 cubic feet, giving the rear seat generous legroom.
Equipment and Trims
Standard equipment on the hybrid includes a touchscreen infotainment system with navigation on higher trims, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather or synthetic-leather upholstery, heated front seats and a suite of driver aids. The 2019 hybrid XLE started at $36,650, the XSE added sportier styling and started at $39,150, and the Limited topped the range at $42,950.
Safety
Every 2019 Avalon came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which bundles pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2019 Avalon a Top Safety Pick+ award, with “Good” ratings in all crash categories and a superior rating for front crash prevention.
Sales and Place in the Lineup
In its 2019 model year the Avalon sold 27,767 units in the United States, of which 6,552 were hybrids. Rivals included the Chevrolet Impala, Nissan Maxima, Kia Cadenza, Buick LaCrosse and Hyundai Azera. Toyota discontinued the Avalon in the United States after the 2022 model year and replaced it with the Crown. Readers comparing Toyota sedans can also review the 2019 Toyota Corolla Altis Review and the 2019 Toyota Previa Engine, Price, and Release Date.
What Changed From the Fourth Generation
The XX50 Avalon was a clean-sheet redesign rather than a heavy facelift. Moving to the GA-K platform made the body stiffer and the car lower and wider than before, and the hybrid gained power: the new 2.5-liter system produced 215 hp, about 15 hp more than the hybrid in the previous generation. The redesigned car also received a more luxurious interior and a larger standard touchscreen.
How the Hybrid System Works
The Avalon Hybrid uses Toyota’s power-split architecture, in which a planetary gear set blends the output of the gasoline engine and the electric motor. There is no conventional gearbox or clutch, so acceleration is smooth and the engine can stop entirely when the car is coasting or stationary. Under braking the motor acts as a generator to recover energy, and at low speeds the car can drive on electricity alone for short distances.
Fuel and Running Costs
Because the Avalon Hybrid runs on regular gasoline, its running costs are lower than the V6 model’s despite comparable performance in normal driving. The EPA estimated annual fuel cost for the 2019 model at about $1,450, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving, and its combined rating of 43 mpg stays high for a car of this size even on the highway, where the gasoline engine runs more of the time.
Competition and Positioning
At the time, the Avalon Hybrid competed with large front-wheel-drive sedans such as the Chevrolet Impala, Nissan Maxima, Kia Cadenza, Buick LaCrosse and Hyundai Azera. Its main advantage was fuel economy: none of those rivals offered a comparable hybrid, so buyers who wanted a full-size sedan with compact-car efficiency had few alternatives.
Standard and Available Features
Toyota grouped the hybrid’s equipment by trim:
- XLE: power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen and Toyota Safety Sense P
- XSE: sportier styling, larger alloy wheels and a firmer suspension tune
- Limited: leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, navigation and a premium audio system
