2007 Toyota Avalon Review: A Little Pricier Than Most Mid-Range Sedans, and Worth Every Penny

The 2007 Toyota Avalon occupies its own weird little corner of the market. If you like luxury cars but don’t want to shell out ten thousand bucks for a 16 year old sedan, and another grand every year for basic maintenance, the Avalon offers a first-class driving experience at a mid-range price, with entry-level models typically listing for around $6,500.

Is the 2007 Toyota Avalon a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – Essentially a Lexus disguised as a Toyota, the 2007 Avalon is just an excellent four-door all around.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – One of the most comfortable cars on the road, and almost certainly the most comfortable full-size sedan you’ll find in this model year for under seven grand.
• Reliability 8/10 – It’s a Toyota. So breakdowns and major repairs are rare, and basic maintenance is dirt cheap.
• Safety 8/10 – The Avalon earned excellent crash test scores on release, and anti-lock brakes and stability control are included as standard features.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – At 22/31 miles to the gallon, city/highway, there aren’t many 2007 full-size sedans that can beat the Avalon on fuel economy.
• Value 8/10 – The car costs a bit more than you might be willing to spend on a 16 year old sedan, but it’s reliable, fuel efficient, and worth every extra penny.

What Do Critics Say About the 2007 Toyota Avalon?

Consumer Reports praised the 2007 Toyota Avalon as an affordable alternative to pricier luxury sedans. They liked the comfortable reclining seats and the first-class build quality in the cabin, comparing it favorably to Lexus sedans. CR’s only major complaint came down to less-than-agile cornering.

Kelley Blue Book liked the 2007 Avalon’s spacious interior layout, owing in part to the “tunnel-less flat-floor design” featured in Toyota’s advertising for the sedan. They praised the Avalon for being a Lexus car at a Toyota price, but noted that the car’s outdated body design may turn off some younger drivers.

Edmunds liked the soft, quiet ride, the generous list of standard features, and the first-class build quality in the cabin. In the minuses column, they note a lack of folding rear seats, and remark that the overall vibe of the car lacks personality.

What Common Problems Does the 2007 Toyota Avalon Have?

After more than 16 years on the road, the 2007 Toyota Avalon has generated just 237 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 84 of these are for vehicle speed control, with drivers reporting stuck accelerator pedals, despite two recalls intended to address the issue.

Structural issues have generated 30 complaints in total, with drivers reporting cracks in the dashboard around the airbags.

There are 20 reports on file for airbags, with drivers reporting failure to deploy in the event of an accident.

The 2007 Toyota Avalon has been recalled 6 times, which is well within the median range for a vehicle this old.

How Long Will the 2007 Toyota Avalon Last?

Drivers report the Toyota Avalon lasting at least 200,000 miles before the engine and transmission problems start to mount up, and that’s with basic maintenance. The Avalon is a Toyota, after all, so with excellent care you shouldn’t be surprised to see it shoot right past 250,000.

Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance bill totalling $375, which is lower than average in this class, but about what you expect of a Toyota. New brake vacuum pumps can cost anywhere from $793 to $839, putting them in the lead as the most expensive common repair.

How Is the Technology?

The 2007 Toyota Avalon’s technology features are basic, but high-end. You’ve got a CD player with 9 speakers, and the only upgrades available are a 6-disc CD changer and some extra speakers. But the sound quality and interior acoustics are excellent.

Safety technology in the 2007 Avalon is generous. Anti-lock brakes and stability control come standard, and you’ve got full airbags including the side curtains and knees.

Is the 2007 Toyota Avalon a Good Value?

The 2007 Toyota Avalon is a bit pricier than a typical full-size sedan, but a bit cheaper than a typical luxury car, evening out to a very good value. An entry-level XL typically lists for around $6,565, while a high-end Limited will go for about $8,211.

A Toyota Avalon is fuel-efficient for a full-size sedan, and it’s very cheap to maintain, so when you consider the overall cost of ownership against the value you’re getting, this is one of the better deals on the market.

What are the Different Models of the 2007 Toyota Avalon?

The 2007 Toyota Avalon is available in four trim levels, from the base XL to the high-end Limited.

With the entry-level XL you’re getting:

• Remote keyless entry
• Power driver seat
• Cruise control CD player with 9 speakers
• Anti-lock brakes and stability control
• Cloth seating
• Dual zone automatic air conditioning

Next up is the Touring edition, adding:

• Fog lights
• Leather seating
• Adjustable headrests
• Leather wrapped steering wheel

The mid-range XLS features:

• Heated mirrors
• Power sunroof
• Wood grain style interior

Finally, the top-of-the-line Limited adds:

• Heated front seats
• Rain sensing windshield wipers
• Woodgrain and leather wrapped steering wheel
• JBL Synthesis sound system with 6-disc CD changer and 12 speakers

What Engines Come In the 2007 Toyota Avalon?

• The 2007 Toyota Avalon comes packed with a 3.5L V6 engine, the same one you’ll find in that year’s Camry and Lexus ES. It delivers 268 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. of torque at an average fuel economy of 22/31 miles to the gallon, city/highway. The engine is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive.

What Colors Does the 2007 Toyota Avalon Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2007 Toyota Avalon?

The 2007 Toyota Avalon offers a first-class ride at a mid-range price. The back row stretches a generous 56 inches across, the ride is nice and smooth, and the interior trim materials are high-end from top to bottom. The car has some noticeable lean around corners, but that’s the only nitpick to be found.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2007 Toyota Avalon Have?

The 2007 Toyota Avalon packs a firm 14.4 cubic feet of cargo space. That’s enough for five medium-sized suitcases if you’re driving some friends to the airport. No fold-flat seats, no extending trunk-space. What you see is what you get.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

2007 was the third model year in the Avalon’s 3rd Generation, running from 2005 to 2012.

2005: The Avalon’s third-gen relaunch was marked by a larger chassis offering more leg room and wider seats. Toyota dropped the classic front bench seats for this one, and flattened the rear floor for more leg room, advertising the “tunnel-less” design.

2006: Toyota made no major changes to the Avalon for 2006.

2007: Tire pressure monitors were made standard across all trims, and the Touring edition was offered with an optional navigation system for 2007.

2008: 2008 was a midcycle refresh year for the Avalon. The 5-speed automatic transmission was swapped out for a 6-speed automatic, the brakes received an upgrade, and stylistic updates included new headlights and front ends.

2009: Toyota dropped the Touring edition for 2009, bringing the trim list down to the XL, XLS, and Limited models.

How Does the 2007 Toyota Avalon Compare to the Competition?

The Ford Taurus was nowhere to be seen for 2007, but the 2008 model year saw the relaunch of the iconic sedan as a full-size car delivering performance comparable to the 2007 Avalon. The 2008 Taurus isn’t as fuel-efficient or as luxurious as the Avalon, but it typically sells for about two grand cheaper than in the Blue Book.

It’s the same story with the 2007 Nissan Maxima. It’s not as luxurious, it’s not as fuel-efficient, but it’s just as powerful as the Avalon, and typical listing prices start in the low $5,000 range.

The 2007 Toyota Avalon is hard to beat in its own little niche. It’s more expensive than a typical mid-range sedan, but cheaper than a typical luxury four-door. When you consider how reliable and fuel-efficient the car is, you can see why it’s worth the extra money.

Do Owners Recommend the 2007 Toyota Avalon?