Authenticity and exhilaration. That’s what Toyota revealed to the world at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Among the fleet of new designs and concepts introduced by the world’s automakers at the NAIAS, Toyota presented their newly redesigned, fifth-generation Avalon.

Mills Toyota has more information on it for you here.

Hello 21^st-Century Luxury

Underpinned by the game-changing Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform and powered by a fuel-efficient 3.5-liter V6 or Toyota Hybrid System (THS II) powertrain, the 2019 Toyota Avalon answers consumers’ calls for high-performance, artfully designed, technologically savvy modes of attainable, luxury transportation.

The redesigned Avalon serves as an artist's palette for Toyota firsts, including standard Apple CarPlay™ and Dynamic Auxiliary Turn Signals, available authentic Yamaha wood and aluminum cabin accents, and Engine Sound Enhancement. In addition, drivers will appreciate the standard passive and active safety benefits made famous by Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), as well as ground-breaking handling thanks to its available Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)—also a Toyota first—that has Avalon out-performing its peers.

New Face & Body

For its fifth generation, Avalon received an all-encompassing makeover by Toyota’s U.S.-based design, engineering, and manufacturing teams. The engineers and designers focused on two keywords throughout their development process: Authenticity and Exhilaration. Think of the authenticity of thoughtful engineering and design and the exhilaration of driving a first-class luxury masterpiece to the awe of impressed passers-by.

There are too many new features to list, but some of the standouts speak to the creative ingenuity of the redesign. Available slim all-LED projector headlights simultaneously project sportiness and elegance. Connected LED tail lamps shaped in a three-dimensional “aero fin” style not only set this generation apart from its predecessors, but they also integrate backup, stop, and turn lights into a single harmonious, fluid form. The TNGA platform’s thin structural pillars and broad windshield lend to the wide, open impression that passengers can enjoy in any seat in the house.

Impressive Interior for Demanding Drivers

Upon opening the Avalon’s doors, an overarching simplicity and a purposeful placement of amenities and controls welcome passengers. Authentic materials, such as the available Yamaha-sourced wood-trim and authentic aluminum pieces, accent armrests, center console, and instrument panels, can be found within, as can an elegant driving experience.

The new Avalon offers a tripartite "driver control zone" consisting of multiple displays surrounding the cockpit. A slim center stack houses the 9-inch multimedia system (MMS) displaying audio and navigation and integrates the automotive climate control system. Beyond the steering wheel, a 7-inch Multi-Information Display (MID) shows vehicle information, turn-by-turn navigation, and various vehicle settings (including those pertaining to Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, available Intelligent Clearance Sonar, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Head-Up Display).

Limited and Touring’s standard color 10-inch Head-Up Display (HUD) – the biggest in the segment – clearly projects important information, such as vehicle and engine speeds, turn-by-turn directions, audio settings, and drive mode, right onto the lower portion of the windshield. This driver control zone helps drivers stay focused on the road ahead, and all of the displays align seamlessly for optimum communication between occupants and vehicle.

A 14-speaker 1200W JBL® performance audio system is standard on Limited and Touring grades and is available on XLE and XSE grades. XLE and XSE passengers can listen to crisp tunes on a standard 8-speaker system having Entune 3.0 Audio Plus with Connected Navigation Scout GPS Link App and Entune 3.0 App Suite Connect, featuring new in-vehicle third-party applications. Apple CarPlay™ is standard on all trims.

The 2019 Avalon will also feature Toyota’s first integration of smartwatch or Amazon Alexa-enabled device connectivity, as part of Toyota Remote Connect. This innovative connection allows drivers to lock and unlock their doors, start their engines, or check their fuel levels, all from the convenience of their smartwatches or Amazon Alexa-enabled devices. It’s voice controllable too, and compatible with select Android or Apple devices. Toyota is among the first automakers to feature Amazon-enabled device connectivity capable of executing home-to-car and car-to-home interactions.

Modern Power for a Modern Experience

Toyota will offer two new TNGA powertrains: a punchy 3.5-liter V6 and a 2.5-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) with 650-volt electric motor and Continuously-Variable Transmission (CVT). Avalon Hybrid continues to be the only full hybrid vehicle in the segment. The new Dynamic Force Engine is more fuel efficient, runs cleaner, and is more powerful than previous iterations, and excels at dissipating thermal inefficiencies. Doing it all took the implementation of Toyota’s vast catalog of advanced engine technologies: Dual VVT-i with VVT-iE (Variable Valve Timing intelligent system by Electric motor).

Auto Glide Control (AGC), yet another of the Avalon’s fuel-saving technologies, automatically calculates efficient coasting. When driving normally, engine braking will slow the vehicle down when the driver lifts off from the accelerator pedal. However, to avoid aggressive engine braking, AGC limits the loss of vehicle speed through an automatic drive setting that acts more like a neutral gear, allowing the vehicle to coast to the stoplight.

A more comprehensive four-level drive mode selection—which includes Eco, Normal, Sport/ Sport+, and Custom—is available on Touring, too. All other trims receive a three-level drive mode selection (Eco, Normal, Sport). These different modes use the incredible new multi-link and adaptive suspension technology of the TNGA platform to adjust vehicle handling and stability as road conditions change.

For all its added energetic vocalization, the Avalon never ceases to deliver a civilized, library-quiet interior, if desired. Road noise and engine droning have been culled while cruising quietness and engine sound have been improved.

Cutting-edge Safety, Too

The Avalon’s standard Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite of safety systems and technologies represents one step closer to achieving Toyota Motor Corporation’s ultimate goal of zero casualties from traffic accidents. TSS-P bundles cutting-edge active safety technologies including Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA); and Automatic High Beams (AHB). Additional standard safety technology includes Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Back Guide Monitor (BGM).

Locally Made by American Workers

For over two decades, the Avalon’s sole manufacturing home has been Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown, KY. All Avalons sold in America and around the globe are assembled in Georgetown by about 8,000 proud American team members.

With the Avalon as a cornerstone of its U.S. operations, Toyota has been part of the cultural fabric of America for over 60 years. With over $23 billion in direct U.S. investments, including 10 manufacturing facilities, over 1,200 Toyota dealerships, and 136,000 people working across the U.S., Toyota has produced 25 million vehicles in the U.S. over the last 30 years.

At Mills Toyota, we're all proud of Toyota's continued commitment to the American community, and we love being a part of the cutting-edge developments in the brand year after year. When you're ready to experience Toyota's modern luxury engineering, call us or contact us online, and we will show you what Authenticity and Exhilaration can feel like in person.

Image: Toyota