Description: Full-Size Near-Luxury Sedan
Base MSRP Range: $26,625 - $33,815
Invoice Price Range: $23,788 - $29,757
Where built: USA

As flagship for Toyota's fleet, the full-size Avalon sedan is big and powerful but also plush in appointments and exceptionally quiet from the isolation of the cabin. It's also home-grown for the American market, with styling from Toyota's design studio in California, engineering via Toyota's technical center in Michigan and assembly at Toyota's Kentucky plant.

A strong and sophisticated 3.5-liter V6 engine in Avalon makes 268 through a five-speed automatic transmission with sequential shifting. And elaborate safety systems, either passive or active, show up in Avalon.

The spacious cabin contains bucket seats up front and a broad bench for three in back. A flat floor adds legroom for backseat riders, and that bench can be adjusted for comfort with the backrest tilting to five different positions. Toyota casts Avalon in four trims in 2006, including Touring grade with sport suspension tuning and a spoiler on the tail.