2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Full Test Review

I wonder what they got for Fusion hybrid in the same city loop.

 

That is impressive mpg for the Avalon!!!

DBCassidy

 

and this is real progress right here. 7.4s 0-60 is such an large car that gets 38+ MPG in real life.

If there was a better case for hybrids, i dont know about it .

 

The Avalon H is another nice choice for us Hybrid fans but the mileage shouldn't be much of a surprise considering it weighs less than 1 passenger more than a Camry and the frontal area isn't much different either.

Another job well done Toyota.

 

i can't let my wife see this, it could get very expensive.

 

I can't see the demographic that will pay this much more for a hybrid Avalon than a Camry hybrid. Your bumping right up against the Lexus ES in pricing.

 

how do you mean? Why would they get Avalon for $10k more anyway over petrol Camry? Those are the same reasons you would get Avalon Hybrid over Camry Hybrid. I am not sure how many sales they expect, probably 5-6k for Avalon overall and maybe 20%-30% of that will be hybrid.

 

Yes, I mean why would this demographic pay extra for the hybrid over the V6 and not go for Lexus ES.

This is the senior citizen crowd, that want to save money over the Lexus ES or want a full size car. The old buick demographic. Old women don't buy hybrids, old men that buy hybrids seem to be the techies and are likely to go Prius or maybe Camry hybrid.

What is the avalon selling around 30K units in the US this year. I think they priced the hybrid not to sell. We should have numbers soon.

 

who are you calling old?

 

My parents who are retired purchased a Avalon. It is the perfect car for them. Large, safe, comfortable, reliable, efficient, and affordable.

 

I'm not calling anyone names, its just the majority demographic of the Avalon is 55+ years young. Some of that demographic wants hybrids, but they normally would want more techy and/or less expensive.

Didn't you buy a prius phv, which is both more techy and less expensive?

No question about it. My Dad bought one also, but.... I doubt he would pay so much for the avalon hybrid over the V6. Would your parents pay a premium over the v6 for the hybrid and still get an avalon? Or for only a little more get the ESh?

I'm not saying that I think the avalon hybrid is a bad car, I just don't think it will sell very well, because I don't see the value proposition to the demographic. Let's wait for sales figures to find out.

 

why would you pay extra for the Lexus? Extra is $1750, not $5k that article writes (hybrid is simply not available with base equipment).

They would pay more simply because it is easy payback. Why would someone pay $1750 more for 15-20 mpg extra? Thats fastest hybrid payback in the industry right now. If that doesnt make sense, then cars like Prius sure dont.

 

Sounds like the same pricing structure as the HiHy.

 

Please explain your market motives.

Why would not your demographic save a great deal of money buying the camry hybrid instead of the avalon hybrid?

Please answer for the target demographic, not as a toyota salesman.

Then make your prediction of avalon hybrid sales for the year.

Its fun. Its easy. Don't outreason it. That's how we get the hs250

 

i'm sure you're right on the demographics. we're probably an anomoly. prius is my choice for mpg's. my wife has the hycam, loves the mpg's and the extra comfort. not sure how much more the equivalent avalon will be. 10k would probably be too much. 5k might do it for her, if it's as nice as the reviewer says it is. you're right tho, most people our age are driving sport/suv/luxury cars if they can afford and camry's'accords if they can't.

 

Toyota | Toyota Announces Pricing for 2013 Avalon
Price for the avalon hybrid is $35,555-$41,400 + destination etc.

Lexus ES h where toyota expects to sell 25% hybrids is #39K+dest etc. Depending on options both cars are in the same price range.

The camry hybrid is of course much less expensive.

 

My parents are very frugal. They can have plenty of money in the bank but they want to hold on to every penny. Perhaps the children of the depression had a profound effect on them as they think the next big catastrophy is around the corner and they are financial prepared. I also do not see them being early adopters of technology. If I told them based on there driving the EV would cost them nothing in gas they would still be hesitant. Heck I remember years ago theer TV imploded they were looking for a new TV and wanted one without a remote because they thought it was hard to understand.

 

Why would you ever get Avalon over Camry then? Those are the same reasons... bigger car, higher quality, more refinement, more equipment.

We are not talking about hybrid niche cars anymore. Hybrids are hitting mainstream. You upgrade to Avalon Hybrid for the same reasons you upgrade to Avalon from Camry, or Highlander from Rav4.