2011 Toyota Avalon: What's New, Specs & Features

Last updated August 4, 2026

The 2011 Toyota Avalon receives a meaningful mid-cycle refresh led by new exterior styling and a redesigned dashboard. It also gains more standard technology, slightly better fuel economy, added safety measures, and a simpler two-trim lineup.

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About the 2011 Toyota Avalon

3rd generation Avalon (2005-2012), major 2011 refresh year with updated styling, dashboard, and standard tech; second-to-last model year before the all-new 2013 Avalon.

Toyota positions the Avalon as a large, comfort-first sedan for drivers who want more room and a more upscale feel than a midsize car without moving into a luxury brand. Its main draw is a quiet cabin, a very roomy rear seat, a smooth V6, and easy everyday controls. Against rivals, the Avalon is less about sporty handling and more about relaxed highway comfort, passenger space, and straightforward premium touches.

The 2011 Avalon is a roomy, comfort-focused sedan with a smooth 3.5-liter V6, a six-speed automatic transmission, leather-trimmed seating, a moonroof, and reclining rear seats. The Limited adds heated and ventilated front seats, Smart Key entry with push-button start, a 12-speaker JBL audio system, HID headlights, and a power rear sunshade.

What changed, by category

Styling

Toyota revised the front and rear with a new grille, headlamps, taillamps, mirrors, and bumpers. Inside, the Avalon received a redesigned dashboard and instrument panel, new gauges, and updated trim materials.

Tech

Bluetooth hands-free calling, Bluetooth audio streaming, and USB/iPod connectivity became standard. The standard Avalon also gained a rearview camera.

Powertrain

Revised transmission tuning helped raise EPA fuel economy from 19/28 mpg to 20/29 mpg. The 3.5-liter V6 and six-speed automatic continued.

Safety

Toyota added a redesigned accelerator pedal assembly and brake-override logic across the lineup.

Lineup

The three-grade range became a two-trim lineup. The former XL and XLS were dropped, leaving the newly named Base trim and the continuing Limited.

2011 Toyota Avalon specs and features by trim

Feature	2011 Toyota AvalonBase0 in stock	2011 Toyota AvalonLimited1 in stock
Engine	V6, 3.5 Liter	V6, 3.5 Liter
Transmission	Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive	Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Fuel Type	Gas	Gas
MPG City	20 mpg	20 mpg
MPG Highway	29 mpg	29 mpg
Horsepower	268 hp	268 hp
Torque	248 lb-ft	248 lb-ft
Max Towing	1000 lb	1000 lb
Trunk/Cargo	14.4 cu-ft	14.4 cu-ft
Rear Legroom	40.9 in	40.9 in
Seats	5	5
Doors	4	4
Safety & Security
Alarm System
Automatic Leveling Headlights
Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers
Rear View Camera
Exterior Features
Alloy Wheels
Fog Lights
HID Headlights
Heated Mirrors
Memory Exterior Mirrors
Power Moonroof
Entertainment & Electronics
Bluetooth
Navigation System
Premium Audio
Satellite Radio
Subwoofer
USB Ports
Comfort & Convenience
Dual-Zone Climate Control
Heated Front Seats
Leather Seats
Memory Driver's Seat
Proximity Keyless Entry
Push-Button Engine Start
Rear Window Shades
Ventilated Front Seats

How the 2012 Toyota Avalon compares

The 2012 Toyota Avalon is a carryover model with no major changes. It returns with the same two-trim lineup, V6 powertrain, styling, safety equipment, and technology as the 2011 model.

See the full 2012 changes

Frequently asked questions

Was the 2011 Toyota Avalon fully redesigned?

No. The 2011 Avalon received a substantial mid-cycle refresh rather than a full redesign. It remained part of the third generation introduced for 2005, but gained new exterior styling, a redesigned dashboard, and more standard technology.

How is the 2011 Toyota Avalon different from the 2010 model?

The 2011 Avalon has revised front and rear styling, a redesigned dashboard and gauges, standard Bluetooth audio streaming and USB/iPod connectivity, and improved fuel economy of 20/29 mpg instead of 19/28 mpg. Its lineup also shrank from three grades to two.

What trims does the 2011 Toyota Avalon have?

The 2011 Avalon lineup consists of Base and Limited. The previous XL and XLS grades were dropped, while Limited continued as the comfort-focused top trim.

Did the 2011 Toyota Avalon get better fuel economy?

Yes. EPA fuel economy increased to 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, up from 19/28 mpg for 2010, mainly because of revised transmission tuning.

What technology became standard on the 2011 Toyota Avalon?

Bluetooth hands-free calling, Bluetooth audio streaming, and USB/iPod connectivity became standard for 2011. The Base trim also received a standard rearview camera built into the auto-dimming rearview mirror.