While looking for a Toyota press release on their recent Camry and Prius mods to meet the IIHS frontal impact test, I came across this release about the Avalon Hybrid: Click here to download this article. Now I had looked at a Lincoln MKZ in September 2013 but would not pull the trigger because of the Government shutdown. But now I have enough information to do a compare and contrast: Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 0 [tr][th]Avalon hybrid[th]Lincoln MKZ[th]metric 1 [tr][td2]40[td2]45[th]City 2 [tr][td2]39[td2]45[th]Highway 3 [tr][td2]2.5L[td2]2.0L[th]Engine displacement 4 [tr][td2]104[td2]99[th]passenger volume 5 [tr][td2]14[td2]12[th]luggage volume 6 [tr][td2]$35 555-$41 400[td2]$36 190[th]EPA listed price (does not include accident avoidance) Source: Fuel Economy Now Ford has had problems with reporting actual MPG but there is a credible, independent source, the roll-down coefficients: Column 1 0 [tr][th]Camry hybrid[th]Lincoln MKZ hybrid[th]metric 1 [tr][td2]26.8[td2]37.0[td]target A (static) 2 [tr][td2]0.33[td2]0.33[td]target B (linear) 3 [tr][td2]0.15[td2]0.016[td]target C (2nd order) 4 [tr][td2]10.1[td2]12.7[td]adjusted A (static) 5 [tr][td2]0.148[td2]0.160[td]adjusted B (linear) 6 [tr][td2]0.0155[td2]0.0155[td]adjusted C (2nd order) source: 13tstcar-1.csv The drag coefficients are close but the Lincoln MKZ hybrids should get about ~15% lower than the Camry/Avalon(?): (37.0-26.8) / 26.8 = -38% :: target A (0.33-0.33) / 0.33 = 0% :: target B (0.16-0.15) / 0.15 = -7% :: target C 38/3 + 7/3 ~= 15% (back of the envelope) I still don't trust the Ford MPG metrics. But using the Camry hybrid as a stand-in for the Avalon is not necessarily accurate either. Regardless, I've got about nine months to do a more extensive compare and contrast between the two. Time to negotiate a better deal after making sure the car meets our expectations. Bob Wilson
I really like the new Avalon. The mileage seems easy to achieve, as it is in the Camry hybrid. I agree, Ford's spa figures are garbage for the most part.
45 / 45; really? We would love an Avalon, but have held back in part because of the 39 / 40 rating. We may need to take another look.
yes, i would figure 40 on the avalon in good weather, it's a large heavy car. the hycam can do 50+, but it's quite a bit smaller and lighter. of course, ymmv.
You're right! Fixed. The problem remains that the Lincoln MKZ has a higher drag load than the Avalon. However, there is one 'unknown.' The smaller 2.0L engine will have lower, internal engine drag overhead than the 2.5L Avalon. Now this does not mean the MKZ engine will have substantially improved BSFC, the drag energy has to be covered. But a smaller displacement engine won't need as much energy to overcome the internal engine friction. Overcoming an estimated 15% higher vehicle drag energy, well that is a challenge. Bob Wilson
How much of the drag can due to the tires? The sample size is still small, but the Fuelly users of both cars seem to be getting around the same numbers. The shoes on the Lincoln are over an inch wider than the Avalon's. When time for replacements, a narrower tire could improve the economy without much compromise on traction.
Just got a new Avalon Hybrid, the tires are Michilen X (I think I didn't spell the name of the tire correctly but I hope everybody gets the idea.) I'm gonna do a little research but I don't believe they ar LRR tires.
They likely are. Even if the tire model isn't listed so at tire shops, car manufacturers can get the factory tires made to their specifications.
I didn't think this was a big car until I parked it in the garage, it's not wide but it is long. A lot of backseat legroom. The opening for the trunk is small, therefore a bit akward. The car is what I wanted, plush and fairly good on gas. Note that I'm coming from a Prius. My car has the blind spot and rear cross traffic detection, both seem at this point to be useful. The 200Hp seems like it should be good, but at highway speeds it could use a bit more go. A last note, the car is comfy and quiet, I love quiet in a car.
Another note on my new Avalon, since I don't have a smartphone, I apparently have no use for Entune, doesn't make sense to me. The car was delivered without the checklist being filled out and the tire pressures were all over the map. For all of those who want to know the dealer was Santa Monica Toyota. I've adjusted the tires to the pressure recommended on the car's doorsill (33 front and rear). I am curious about me real mpg, will know more after I fill up next time. That might be a while, the tank holds 17 gallons.
I can't believe it, I miss the Prius shifter, seems old fashioned to go back to a conventional shifter. I keep forgetting to put the thing in Park so the car will not shut down until in put it in park and hit the button again. I will get used to it, but why should I have to….
i do that every time i drive my wife's hycam. and what a waste of space! but they want it to be comfortable for non hybrid peoples, not former prius peoples!
Whoa, with that big of tank and that good of gas mileage...you can probably get 700 miles out of it. Would be the perfect road trip car!
Haha, I'm in my 30's and only have a 100-200 mile bladder. But the nice thing about being able to go that far is you can actually save money by waiting for and finding cheaper gas prices.
