The Avalon is divided between the Touring and the more richly contented XLS editions, albeit the XLS is the base model.

The new Avalon is a great looking four-door sedan, with wonderful performance and refinement in its young-at-heart soul. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

All include leather upholstery, but despite the cowhide, it and every Avalon, regardless of trim level, features a vast array of comfort and convenience features including dual-zone filtered air-conditioning, cruise control, nine-speaker AM/FM/CD audio - and the list goes on. Premium equipment availability in the U.S. and not in Canada includes Smart Key with pushbutton start, Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, power rear sunshade and heated/ventilated seats. Heated seats are part of the Canadian package, however, while voice-activated DVD navigation and a six-disc in-dash 360-watt JBL audio system are available. Whether Toyota feels that such amenities would only be of interest to our friends to the south or that Canadians would rather not pay the price needed to acquire them, is anyone's guess, but it's probably the latter. Incidentally, the the Touring edition features self-leveling H.I.D. Xenon headlamps, not available with the XLS. So does Toyota have a winner on its profitable hands? It sure does. The new Avalon is a great looking, four-door sedan with wonderful performance and refinement in its young-at-heart soul. It also offers tremendous value especially when compared - and legitimately so, I say - against much more expensive European imports, many of which fall short of the Avalon's horsepower and interior lounge-space.

Specifications:

• Price Range (MSRP): $39,900 - $47,572
• Body Type: 4-door sedan
• Layout: front engine, FWD
• Engine: 280 hp, 260 lb-ft torque, 24-valve, DOHC, 3.5L (214 cu in) V6
• Transmission: 5-spd auto
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS with EBD (optional BA)
• Cargo Volume (trunk): 408 L (14.4 cu ft)
• Curb Weight (min - max): 1,583 - 1,615 kg (3,490 - 3,560 lbs)
• Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 11.0 / 7.3 L/100 km
• Coefficient of Drag (Cd): 0.29
• Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 comprehensive - 60/100,000 powertrain
• Direct Competitors: Buick Lucerne, Chrysler 300, Ford Five Hundred, Hyundai XG 350, Kia Amanti, Nissan Maxima
• Web Site: www.toyota.ca