The Toyota Avalon is the flagship of the Toyota brand , at least on the passenger car side (the real flagship is hands-down the Land Cruiser). When the Avalon first supplanted the Camry XLE V6 in 1995, it was really nothing more than a tarted up, XL version of the Camry. But by the third-generation, Toyota was adventurous enough to give the Avalon its own unique exterior and interior styling. In my opinion, it was far more fashion forward than the current Camry.

The 2011 Toyota Avalon losses a lot of its uniqueness in this mid-cycle refresh. The new Avalon gets a new front clip, rear end treatment and a completely redesigned interior.

The new design finally brings the Avalon into compliance with Toyota’s current design language, called “Vibrant Clarity�.

The language includes such styling cues such as a rounded, bulbous hood; narrow, upswinged headlamps; a prominent grille; a large lower intake; curvaceous fender sculpting; and a two-level, “bustle-back” trunk.

The new front end works well on the Avalon; the look is conservative, yet modern enough for this stately cruiser.  The side front fender sculpting is a bit jarring, because it flows right into a slab side profile. It can look odd depending on how the light is hitting the vehicle.

The side profile is still relatively unchanged from the current generation Avalon and that’s a good thing. The tall beltline, tasteful chrome elements and a fastback profile were all present on the last generation Avalon. The look is reminiscent of the same treatment found on the current Lexus GS.

The bustle-back rear end remains relatively unchanged from the last generation model.The newly redesigned tail lamps feature LED pipe lighting that function as the Avalon’s turn signals.

Where the Avalon really changes is inside the cabin. The sedan gets a new dash, center console and instrument cluster. Gone are all those ergonomic faux pas on the last model: “seriously, you put door covers on the radio controls Toyota?�

The front seats, center console armrest and door handles felt soft and well padded. The top dash is soft touch and the faux wood and metal garish looked convincing enough. The instrument cluster now features a binocular design. Toyota calls the new gauges and console controls “highly readable.� Good thing, considering that the median age of an Avalon buyer is 60 years old: no joke.

Toyota has simplified its content packaging to two trims, down from three. The base Avalon is pretty well equipped with leather seats, automatic climate control, a powered sunshade and reclining rear seats standard.

Interior cargo capacity, legroom and headroom are identical to the numbers found on last year’s model.

Internal underpinnings and the powertrain are mainly unchanged, though there’s a 1 mpg increase in city mileage (20 city/ 28 hwy).

The current generation Avalon is a part of Toyota’s sticky accelerator pedal recall and sales suspension. Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota brand, was quick to note that this new Avalon includes the redesigned accelerator pedal assembly and a brake override system as standard safety equipment.

The Avalon’s sales have tanked over recent years. In 2009, Toyota only sold one quarter the amount of Avalon’s it moved in 2005. Will the redesign help the Avalon tick up the sales charts? With a fully redesigned Nissan Maxima, Ford Taurus and soon-to-be Chrysler 300C as competition, the proposition seems unconvincing.

Overall, I know Toyota has longed-for a cohesive design theme, but I think the automaker has decidedly crushed what little soul the Avalon had by forging ahead with this plan.

Filed under: Editorial, Product