The Toyota Avalon has been Toyota’s flagship front-wheel-drive sedan in the United States since 1994. The fifth-generation Avalon, model code XX50, went into production in April 2018 and went on sale for the 2019 model year. The 2019 Avalon XLE Plus was one of the mid-range trims in that line-up. This article covers its verified engine specifications, dimensions, equipment and pricing.
Fifth-Generation Avalon Overview
The fifth-generation Avalon moved to the Toyota New Global Architecture, specifically the GA-K platform it shared with the Lexus ES (XZ10) and the Camry (XV70). Toyota built the XX50 Avalon in Georgetown, Kentucky, for the US market from April 2018 until August 2022, covering model years 2019 through 2022. It was the largest front-wheel-drive sedan in Toyota’s US range, positioned above the midsize Camry.
Related Toyota sedan coverage includes the 2019 Toyota Camry XSE V6 Review and the 2019 Toyota Camry Atara R Redesign, Review.
Engine and Performance
The 2019 Avalon’s standard engine was a 3.5-liter 2GR-FKS V6 producing 301 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 267 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm, matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Toyota also offered a hybrid version that combined a 2.5-liter A25A-FXS four-cylinder engine with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive and an electronically controlled CVT. All 2019 Avalons were front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive did not arrive until the 2021 model year, and it was offered only with the four-cylinder engine.
Exterior and Dimensions
The XX50 Avalon measured 196.0 inches long, 72.8 inches wide and 56.5 inches tall, on a 113.0-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of 3,560 to 3,715 pounds. Wide, low and long, it used a large front grille and available 18-inch or 19-inch wheels depending on trim. The lower and wider body was made possible by the GA-K platform, which also lowered the center of gravity compared with the previous generation.
Interior and Features
The 2019 Avalon came in five main trims in the US: XLE, XLE Plus, XLE Premium, Touring and Limited, with the hybrid offered in XLE Plus, XLE Premium and Limited grades. The XLE Plus built on the base XLE with additional comfort and convenience equipment. Toyota Safety Sense P was standard, and the Avalon earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, receiving a Good rating in all tested categories on cars built after September 2018.
Price and Release Date
The 2019 Avalon reached dealers in the spring of 2018. Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the 2019 model year were $33,500 for the base XLE, $35,250 for the XLE Plus and $36,700 for the XLE Premium, rising to $41,300 for the Limited. The Avalon Hybrid XLE Plus was listed at $37,500. Car and Driver lists a starting MSRP of $36,605 for the 2019 Avalon XLE, reflecting destination charges and equipment differences. The Avalon was discontinued in the US after the 2022 model year, with the Crown taking its place.
Key Specifications
| Specification | 2019 details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5-liter V6 (2GR-FKS) |
| Power | 301 hp at 6,600 rpm |
| Torque | 267 lb-ft at 4,700 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Wheelbase | 113.0 inches |
| Length | 196.0 inches |
| Curb weight | 3,560 to 3,715 pounds |
| MSRP (XLE Plus) | $35,250 |
| Safety award | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ |
Trims and Buying Notes
The 2019 Avalon was offered in the US in five gasoline trims and three hybrid trims. The gasoline range comprised XLE, XLE Plus, XLE Premium, Touring and Limited, while the hybrid came in XLE Plus, XLE Premium and Limited. The XLE Plus therefore sat one step above the base car, adding equipment over the XLE without the sportier tuning of the Touring or the full luxury specification of the Limited.
The Avalon remained Toyota’s largest front-wheel-drive sedan through the 2022 model year, after which it was discontinued in the US and effectively replaced by the Crown. For a used buyer, the fifth-generation Avalon is notable for its standard V6 and its standard Toyota Safety Sense P suite, along with the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. All-wheel drive was never offered on the 2019 Avalon; it appeared only for 2021 and only with the four-cylinder engine, which was not sold in the US for 2019.
The Avalon shared its GA-K platform with the Lexus ES and the Camry, which is why the three cars have similar footprints despite different positioning. The fifth-generation Avalon was the roomiest of the trio in its era, and the XLE Plus trim reflected Toyota’s effort to offer near-luxury equipment at a price below that of the equivalent Lexus. Buyers cross-shopping the two often found that the Avalon delivered most of the ES’s space and comfort with a lower entry price, while the Lexus offered a longer warranty and stronger brand prestige.
The hybrid version offered a different trade-off. It used a smaller four-cylinder engine but paired it with electric assistance for stronger low-speed response and better city fuel economy than the V6. The hybrid was also available in the higher trims, so a buyer could combine efficiency with luxury equipment rather than choosing one at the expense of the other.
Because the Avalon was discontinued in the US after 2022, the fifth-generation car is now a used-only proposition in that market, while production for China continued. Its standard V6, generous rear-seat space and standard active-safety suite make it a distinctive choice among full-size sedans, and its front-wheel-drive layout sets it apart from rear-wheel-drive rivals.
