2019 Toyota Avalon

There's no way of sugarcoating it, the previous generation Avalon drove like a bag of pudding with a steering wheel. This new model feels radically different thanks to its new TNGA platform underpinnings. We've seen this new architecture on the smaller Camry, where it transformed one of the most sedate sedans in the segment into one of the most fun to drive. It's still no alternative to a sport sedan with rear-wheel-drive but the Avalon is no longer a car built for retirees only.

The Avalon Touring trim was the first Toyota ever to include Adaptive Variable Suspension, which can tighten up in Sport+ Mode to minimize body roll and provoke a sportier ride. We never felt the suspension become too stiff, even in Sport+ mode, but it does make a noticeable difference in vibration levels on harsh road surfaces.

Changing between the drive modes, which include Eco, Normal, Sport, Sport+ (exclusive to Touring trim) and Custom, alters the Avalon's personality profile without transforming it into a fire-breathing monster or boring snoozefest. We happily switched between Normal Mode when we were cruising in traffic and Sport+ Mode when the roads opened up.

We've never been excited at the thought of a new Avalon but this new 2019 model finally ditches the vanilla, plane-jane vibe it has had since its inception. At long last, the Avalon has evolved into a car to be enjoyed by people who don't have an AARP card. SUVs and crossover are all the rage right now but we still think there's a place for comfortable sedans like this in the market. Rear seat space is fantastic and the ride comfort is still soft enough to keep elderly bones from getting bruised up.

Yes, the Avalon still lacks the aggression and finesse of a rear-wheel-drive sedan like a Dodge Charger or Kia Stinger but it will no longer put you to sleep from behind the wheel. We think the 2019 Avalon is night and day different from the car it replaces and finally seems worthy of consideration as more than the perfect retirement vehicle.

The Toyota Avalon and Lexus ES share a large portion of their underpinnings. But while similar, the Lexus is intended to be more luxurious, and it definitely is, with soft leather upholstery and a classier design inside and out than the Avalon. It rides a little softer too, devoid of the sporty inclinations on the XSE, although the F-Sport is a little more aggressive. The ES is only marginally more expensive than higher trim Avalons, though, while offering comparable specification with a few extra luxury amenities.

Both models perform identically, despite Lexus rating the ES as having a single horsepower more than the Avalon. We'd easily sacrifice that extra horse for the ability to run 87-octane fuel in the Avalon. The interior of the ES is where the two are really set apart, with a greater focus on luxury and a trunk that's larger by 0.7 cubic feet. If your budget is tight, an entry-level Avalon is ideal, but if you have the money to spend, you'll be happier in the Lexus for not much more cash.

Toyota is one of a few manufacturers with two nicely-sized sedan models. But the Avalon is stretched out, larger in all aspects compared to the Camry, and it makes this difference known inside where rear passengers are given increased room and levels of comfort. It also hosts a more demure interior design, while the Camry is aiming at a younger audience with an attractive design and sportier driving dynamics. It lacks the plushness of the Avalon but still rides well, although it exhibits livelier handling. While the top-spec Camrys may utilize the same engine as the Avalon, lower derivatives make use of an underpowered four-cylinder, but in turn, achieve better gas mileage. Both models are brilliant, but the real question is what you're after in life. If you want to enjoy driving at the expense of rear passenger comfort (only marginally so), then the Camry is an exceptional choice at a substantial discount, but if you're all for comfort and luxury, the Avalon is worth spending a few thousand dollars more on.