Toyota completely redesigns Avalon sedan

Toyota’s biggest sedan is getting longer, lower and wider for 2019.

The company used the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit Monday to unveil the all-new Avalon and Avalon Hybrid.

The car has always positioned itself above the popular Camry in terms of size, features and comfort. The 2019 model will continue that tradition with things like improved seals and materials for a quieter ride and more rear legroom than the 2018 Avalon.

Higher-trim levels include touches like real wood and brushed-aluminum accents, along with available leather or Ultrasuede.

Sitting comfortably in the big front seat, the driver can interact with the car’s systems through the giant 9-inch touchscreen that controls everything from the music to directions to the best restaurants.

More information is conveyed to the driver through a 7-inch screen in the gauge cluster and an available 10-inch head-up display projected onto the windshield.

Toyota is also targeting younger buyers with the Avalon with features like an available 1,200-watt JBL audio system and standard Apple CarPlay, a first for Toyota. You can also connect the Avalon to the Amazon Alexa or a smartwatch to do things like remotely start the car and lock or unlock the doors.

Powering the big sedan is either a 3.5-liter V6 or a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid electric system.

Despite Toyota’s commitment to making the Avalon a flagship sedan, it has not generated huge sales for the company. In all of 2017, Toyota sold a little more than 32,000 Avalons. For the same time period, Toyota sold more than 10 times as many Camry sedans.

The Avalon will continue to be built at Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky, plant and will arrive at dealerships late this spring.