The Toyota Avalon comes with one of two basic powertrain configurations. Most cars find motivation by way of a smooth and powerful V6. The base engine has been redesigned from last year, but still boasts a hearty 301 horsepower which is sent to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The optional hybrid drivetrain sacrifices a bit of power by utilizing a 4-cylinder engine connected to an electric motor. Power drops to a still decent 215 horsepower, which is 5 horsepower more than the previous generation made. The tradeoff is, of course, fuel economy. While the V6 is extremely efficient for a car making 300+ horsepower, it's still rated at 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the freeway. The hybrid version blows this out of the water with ratings of 43 mpg city and 44 mpg on the freeway for the base hybrid trim. It's quite a feat of engineering that few people just 10 years ago could have imagined a vehicle with this combination of luxury and fuel efficiency.

The Avalon comes in four different trim levels: XLE, XSE, Touring, and Limited. Except for the Touring, all trims are available with the hybrid drivetrain. Being a fairly luxurious vehicle, the base XLE still comes very nicely equipped. Standard items include a 9-inch touchscreen, blind spot monitoring system, active lane departure, rear cross-traffic alert system, forward collision braking with pedestrian detection, driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, Toyota's Entune App Suite, full LED headlights with auto high-beams, LED taillights, heated power exterior mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, 8-way power heated front seats, 7-inch multi-information display for the driver, radar controlled dynamic cruise control with traffic stop and go, and a smart key.

The XSE Nightshade Hybrid adds black exterior trim finishes, piano black grille, moonroof, black 18-inch wheels, HomeLink garage door transmitter, paddle shifters, wireless device charging, lip spoiler, aluminum interior trim, and sport pedals.

The Touring trim concentrates on driver comfort and entertainment for those long road trips. It has nicer headlights and taillights, auto-dimming driver exterior mirror, 19-inch black painted machined-finish wheels, HomeLink garage door transmitter, paddle shifters, brake actuated limited slip differential, wireless device charging, lip spoiler, sport adaptive suspension ? automatic with driver control, illuminated cup holders, memory for driver seat/mirrors/steering wheel, 14-speaker sound system with a 1,200W amplifier, voice activated navigation, mobile hotspot, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, power tilting and power telescoping steering wheel and a 10-inch color head-up display.

The top-of-the-line Limited is equipped somewhat similarly to the Touring, though it rides a little better on slightly smaller 18-inch chrome wheels. It also gets genuine leather seating surfaces and a genuine wood interior trim.

The Toyota Avalon comes fully loaded with standard safety equipment like Lane Departure Alert, Blind Spot Monitoring, Pre-Collision System, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection and Vehicle Sway Warning.