Toyota unveiled their fifth-generation Avalon family saloon back in January at the Detroit Auto Show, promising to deliver a more premium and high tech approach to the segment. The starting MSRP for the entry-level XLE V6 model is $35,500.

The 2019 Avalon is longer, wider and lower than ever before, and is underpinned by the automaker’s TNGA platform (Toyota New Global Architecture).

With sales scheduled to commence next month, future buyers can look forward to enjoying a wide array of Toyota-firsts such as standard Apple CarPlay, available Dynamic Auxiliary Turn Signals, available Yamaha wood and aluminum cabin accents and Engine Sound Enhancement.

In XLE trim, the hybrid model kicks off from $36,500, whereas XSE versions cost $38,000 (gasoline) and $39,000 (HV) respectively. Opt for the Limited trim instead and you’ll pay upwards of $41,800 (gasoline) and $42,800 (HV), whereas the flagship Touring spec is available with the gasoline V6 only, and costs $42,200.

The grades are easy to differentiate. Both XLE and Limited versions get a dark grey front grille with a chrome border, as well as machined-silver LED headlight bezels, body-color rearview mirror housings, chrome badge letters and the dual exhaust with chrome tips. Meanwhile, XSE and Touring models utilize a piano black mesh grille, machine-finish and Gloss Black wheels, black outer mirror housings, black trunk lid spoiler and badging and a grade-specific lower diffuser.

According to Toyota, the 2019 Avalon’s available LED Vision Tech headlights are their most advanced lighting units yet. XLE and XSE grades utilize a cluster of three reflectors for DRLs, while with Limited and Touring models, each headlamp is comprised of thin lighting modules.

In terms of materials, XLE spec models use engineered wood trim, Limited features real wood trim and aluminum pieces adorm Touring’s and XSE’s cabins.

There is plenty of advanced tech on-board

Among the 2019 Avalon’s most impressive on-board features, we count the 9-inch multimedia system with integrated climate control, standard wireless Qi mobile charger (available on XLE), a total of five USB ports and a 7-inch Multi-Information Display showing you various active safety settings, and more. Then there’s also the 10-inch color Head-Up Display and the JBL performance audio system, both standard on Limited and Touring versions.

The Avalon also gets Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite of safety systems as standard. This rounds up features such as the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Automatic High Beams. Additional safety tech includes Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the Back Guide Monitor.

As for getting the car on the road, customers can choose between two powertrains. First, there’s an updated 3.5-liter V6, with 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft (362 Nm) of torque, and a 215 horsepower 2.5-liter hybrid unit with a 650-volt electric motor and a CVT.

Toyota estimates the following fuel economy figures for city/highway/combined cycles: XLE V6 – 22/32/26 (10.6/7.3/9.0 l/100km) ; XSE V6, Limited V6, Touring V6 – 22/31/25 (10.6/7.5/9.4 l/100km) ; XLE HV – 43/44/44 (5.4/5.3/5.3 l/100km) ; XSE HV, Limited HV – 43/43/43 (5.4/5.4/5.4 l/100km).