The updated 2008 Toyota Avalon. New front clip, and different tailights. Interior is slightly revised, but it seems I forgot to get a pic.

Yep, these have been out for a month or so now.

Main changes were, like you said, the front fascias and some new rear touches, as well as new wheels, the 6-speed automatic (replacing the 5-speed it had before), and some small touch-ups, again, inside--the latter being very, very minor.

And yet, still ugly.

It's hard to tell from these pictures, but it looks much better than the current.

Scion comes to mind instantly and cheap LS460..... If they switch this next Avalon to rear drive, GM , Ford and Chrysler better be on guard. Too much says this will happen. That is based on where everyone else is in the segment is in the United States. I know this car is aimed at people like me. I have no desire to own this car.

It's hard to tell from these pictures, but it looks much better than the current.

Yeah, its an improvement.

The new bumper looks more Lexus-like.

Certain parts of that front end remind me of an '08 Sable. Everyone seems to be going for the "big tongue" look for their front ends... Audi, VW, this Toyopet, the aforementioned Mercury... blah...

Scion comes to mind instantly and cheap LS460..... If they switch this next Avalon to rear drive, GM , Ford and Chrysler better be on guard. Too much says this will happen. That is based on where everyone else is in the segment is in the United States. I know this car is aimed at people like me. I have no desire to own this car.

If they switched it to RWD, they'd either have to put it on the GS or LS platform, neither of which I could see happening.

The Accord and Avalon may eventually compete since they're almost the same size now. Honda's problem is the cheap low end of its Accord lineup and the fact that they still compete with mid-sizers even though they're not midsize.

I've seen it on the road and up close. It does look better.

It kinda looks better...hard to say with these photos though.

The updated front end is a HUGE improvement in my eyes.

It's o.k. It still has a somewhat odd appearance; I don't know why. Something about the overall shape seems disproportionate. If I had to choose between this car and the Buick Lucerne based on the exterior appearance, I would choose the Lucerne (until they stick the odd "Super" grille on it). The Avalon appears to have a nicer interior than the Lucerne, though. The Avalon also has a modern DOHC V6 engine mated to a six speed transmission; there is no reason why the Lucerne shouldn't offer the same engine/transmission combo. If you combined the Lucerne's exterior with the Avalon's interior and engine/trans combo, you would have one nice, elegant looking, front wheel drive large car.

I'm getting a serious VW vibe from the grille. Also, why are they putting the wood on the steering wheel right where your hands won't sit?

Because leather is more comfortable to hold and has better grip?

The grille didn't make this car ugly before. The entire car made this car ugly. It also has a small trunk and resembles a fat woman riding a bicycle.

Face lift? The face had no where to go but up.

a nice push up bra for an otherwise unattractive specimen.

I saw one last night and it completely took me by surprise. I didn't even here anything about it. From a distance, the front actually looked half decent for once. The rest is still rather ugly.

That kid just does not look happy. I wonder why?

because the yaris freaked him out

because the yaris freaked him out

Well, they modeled the Avalon after his mom on a bike. All he got was my neighbor's car.

I'm getting a serious VW vibe from the grille.

Me too. That looks just like a VW snout.

Wierd mixture of Five Hundr... I mean Taurus and old Lexus IS.

Someone in my neighborhood bought a silver XL (I think that's what it's called). I didn't recognize it at first, I thought it was some sort of JDM Corolla for a second. It's an improvement, but I still wouldn't call it pretty.

A better looking grill and the 6 speed are improvements. Still has bland generic sides and a fuddy duddy interior so it still induces a yawn from me. Buick had better get there act together and offer a 6 speed automatic on the lucerne like right NOW!!!

Edited October 5, 200718 yr by ponchoman49

A better looking grill and the 6 speed are improvements. Still has bland generic sides and a fuddy duddy interior so it still induces a yawn from me. Buick had better get there act together and offer a 6 speed automatic on the lucerne like right NOW!!!

Right, because that 4-speed is really holding Buick back from completely outselling the Avalon.

Oh....

wait.....

Right, because that 4-speed is really holding Buick back from completely outselling the Avalon.

Oh....

wait.....

Just think how much better the Lucerne would sell if it had a competitive V6 engine and transmission to the Avalon. Or a Hyundai Azera or Kia Amanti for that matter!

It is better but still ugly. Lucerne CXL please!

It is better but still ugly. Lucerne CXL please!

Sure anything that says GM on it, just for you!

It really looks like an RL with a Toyota emblem on it. The whole Japanese product set seems to be an homogenized mess.

Saw three at a Toyota dealer today. Still ghastly.

The only way of making this car better is bashing the grille in with a stilson wrench, flipping it over, pushing it on its roof into a ditch, and lighting it on fire.

I think it would look much better discontinued.

I liked the old grille better. There are many, many cars I would choose over this, but I still think the Avalon is better than the Camry. .

Sure anything that says GM on it, just for you!

The Lucerne is way better looking has an optional V8, Onstar, blind zone warming/lane depature and has a more comfortable/roomy interior. Does Toyota have an of that on the Crap-Alon? Didn't think so and also the Avalon is just plain ugly. Still I say give me a Lucerne CXL in Crimson Red! :AH-HA_wink:

The Lucerne is way better looking has an optional V8, Onstar, blind zone warming/lane depature and has a more comfortable/roomy interior. Does Toyota have an of that on the Crap-Alon? Didn't think so and also the Avalon is just plain ugly. Still I say give me a Lucerne CXL in Crimson Red! :AH-HA_wink:

Lucerne is also quieter inside. It's vault like quiet in there... almost spooky.