“I have owned six Avalon's; 2 white, 3 creme brûlée and one silver. This vehicle suits my style and purpose, is enjoyable to drive and is a comfortable ride for several hours at a time.”
2018 Toyota Avalon: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2018 Toyota Avalon is essentially a carryover, with one notable change: the former XLE Touring trim is renamed Touring. The rest of the lineup continues without major updates.
About the 2018 Toyota Avalon
4th generation (2013-2018), final year after the 2016 refresh
Toyota positioned the Avalon as its flagship sedan: a big, quiet, near-luxury car for drivers who wanted comfort, rear-seat space, and strong value without moving to a luxury badge. Its main selling points were a hushed ride, roomy cabin, upscale materials, lots of standard safety tech, and the unusual ability to get either V6 power or hybrid efficiency. It was aimed more at relaxed long-distance comfort than sharp handling.
The 2018 Avalon ranges from the well-equipped XLE to the comfort-focused Limited, with gas and hybrid versions in the lineup. Touring adds firmer suspension tuning and a sportier look, while Limited emphasizes comfort with ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, navigation, and an 11-speaker JBL audio system.
What changed, by category
Trim lineup
The XLE Touring trim is renamed Touring. Its V6 powertrain carries over, so this is a name change rather than a new or replacement trim.
2018 Toyota Avalon specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, 2.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, 2.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, 2.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, 6-Spd Seq Shft | Auto, 6-Spd Seq Shft / Automatic, CVT | Auto, 6-Spd Seq Shft | Auto, 6-Spd Seq Shft / Automatic, CVT | Auto, 6-Spd Seq Shft / Automatic, CVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas / Hybrid | Gas | Gas / Hybrid | Gas / Hybrid |
| MPG City | 21 mpg | 21–40 mpg | 21 mpg | 21–40 mpg | 21–40 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 30 mpg | 30–39 mpg | 30 mpg | 30–39 mpg | 30–39 mpg |
| Horsepower | 268 hp | 200–268 hp | 268 hp | 200–268 hp | 200–268 hp |
| Torque | 248 lb-ft | 156–248 lb-ft | 248 lb-ft | 156–248 lb-ft | 156–248 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 16 cu-ft | 14–16 cu-ft | 16 cu-ft | 14–16 cu-ft | 14–16 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 39.2 in | 39.2 in | 39.2 in | 39.2 in | 39.2 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | |||||
| Automatic High Beams | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| HID Headlights | |||||
| LED Daytime Running Lights | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Remote Control Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Subwoofer | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Rear Window Shades | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
| Tri-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2018 Toyota Avalon compared with the 2017 model?
The main change is a trim rename: the 2017 XLE Touring becomes the 2018 Touring. Otherwise, the 2018 Avalon carries over without significant lineup-wide changes.
Is the 2018 Toyota Avalon the final year of its generation?
Yes. The 2018 Avalon is the final model year of the fourth generation, which ran from 2013 through 2018. Toyota introduced a fully redesigned Avalon for 2019.
Did the 2018 Toyota Avalon get a new engine or hybrid system?
No. Gas models retain the 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and six-speed automatic, while hybrid models retain the 2.5-liter hybrid system and its automatic transmission.
Is Toyota's safety suite standard on the 2018 Avalon?
Yes. Toyota Safety Sense P is standard across the 2018 Avalon lineup. It was already standard for 2017, so this is not a new feature for 2018.
Is the 2018 Avalon Touring a newly added trim?
No. Touring is the renamed version of the previous XLE Touring trim, not an entirely new addition. It remains the sport-themed Avalon, with a V6, firmer suspension tuning, LED headlights, navigation, and heated leather-trimmed front seats.
2018 Toyota Avalon Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Toyota Avalon.
4.3
2018 Toyota Avalon
(279 reviews)
“My Toyota Avalon is the best car I've ever driven. It's comfortable, it responds quickly, and I love the warning beeps. Plus, it's a really pretty car.”
“It had met my expectations. I have owned many Toyotas and they are extremely reliable. I was disappointed when I discovered there was no garage opener and no compass. Since my complaint, Toyota changed out my mirror and I now have garage door openers.”