CHICAGO AUTO SHOW: Is The All-New Avalon The MOST Expensive Looking Toyota Ever?

...What a great strategy! Toyota and Lexus have now kicked it into high gear with all their new releases as far as out of the box design. According to top exec's, it's a love it or hate it approach which has been know to grow on you, even if you hate it at first glance. It just proves we all have character flaws and are filled with prejudices, biasness and all kind of negative influences from within and without. Toyota will once again be taking in gazillions of profit this year. This new Avalon is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING and yes it looks very expensive, but it's Toyota's flagship. I wonder what it's like working for Toyota or Lexus Distribution or Assembly?

like this one more than any of the toy/lex releases to date. This is actually a decent looking design. Tundra = fail IS = epic fail ...

I had high hopes for the Avalon when I saw the first renderings of the car. The actual car is underwhelming in person, much the same way the Fusion is. Sure, its fancy Aston-wanna-be grille has some presence but the rest is just "meh", at best. Granted, the interior is probably the best interior of any mid-to-large mainstream sedan. But, based on styling alone, I'd go with the Hyundai Azera.

And let me add, that the Avalon is still pretty anonymous from every angle besides head-on. I'm very observant of all cars around me, but I was driving behind and right next to an Avalon yesterday and I didn't realize it until I got in front it. Two days ago, i was behind and besides an Azera and it immediately caught my attention.

On a side note, I saw a new ES350 yesterday also and that, to me, is THE best looking Lexus sedan at the moment.

You know, these are some interesting observations. I saw an Avalon not too long ago and didn't equate it with the car until I saw its front too.

And I also so an ES350 Thursday and I thought it looked greated with the new look! At least from the front...

for that matter, the Accord now looks expensive too imo, havent seen the avalon in real life yet but definitely looks like a massive improvement to me

@CarCrazed...

I'd agree, the redesigned Accord always looks fantastic and way better!

Sure they will. This car has always been invisible and eventhough it's a great car, no one will even notice that it exists. A guy at the office just purchased one and they ask him if it was the new Camry! LoL!

Oh yeah, my bad, a Buick owner or a 60 y/o will notice. LoL!

Funny, because for all the people that have a taste for the finer things in life they do take notice of R/Rs and Bentleys. The owners of these cars most likely don't even know that an Avalon is car and probably the only Toyota owners they know are their cooks and gardeners. Just look at the demographics of their owners.
But you are the type of consumer that thinks that a Casio watch is a better watch than a Rolex. You probably take the family out to Mcdonalds because, hell why take them to Ruth's Chris Steak House, its only food. Why buy a house in a nice neighbourhood when I can live in a trailer park? LoL! Why buy at Banana Republic when I can go to Walmart? Yes Sir, you will probably be the ONLY person that will notice an Avalon because that is the type of consumer you are.

I am not sure about upscale but it is a good looking car. Maybe for someone upgrading from an Accord or Camry this might seem upscale but I doubt consumers shopping for AUDIs or BMWs will consider this as an option.

Yes, you and I will try to maximize the most from our purchases but that doesn't mean that the others goods that we opted not to purchase are not any good.
Just because my neighbour owns Porsche 911 and a M3 it doesn't mean that he made a wrong choice. He just earns more money than I do and has a lot more discretionary income than I do. Don't get me wrong, I would love to buy an S Class or 7 series, I can afford it but my current priorities are to pay for my daughter's college in full, buy a second property and retire early. By the way, I purchased the LS because I got almost $7,500 off the msrp. I will never pay msrp and won't pass up on a good deal when I see it.
The comment about buying used car, that is actually a very smart thing to do since cars are not investments and depreciate as soon as they are driven off the lots. Yes, some depreciate faster than others but they all do.
I like McDonalds too but I prefer a swiss watch anytime. I will not deprive myself or my family from such luxuries.

I think this Toyota Avalon would've look really good if they didn't borrow that Ugly front bumper grille from a Chrysler from the 90s. Other than that ugly grille I think it look really good.

how old are you japanengineering? 12?

The rear end, to me, stands out a lot. Saw one the other day, thought it had quite the road presence...

Not expensive LOOKING, just plain expensive. Move along.....

Not impressed at all.