Ask a dozen car enthusiasts for the name of a car they think is exciting and fun, and the Toyota Avalon is unlikely to be mentioned. This sensible full-size sedan was first introduced over 30 years ago and only went out of production in the US in 2022. It is a close relative of the Corolla, another reliable but not particularly thrilling car.Despite not being flashy or loud, the Toyota Avalon does, however, have plenty to offer. In today’s automotive world, sedans (including the Avalon itself) have been increasingly being pushed out of the market by more popular body styles like crossovers and SUVs. Choosing one as your daily driver can make you stand out from the crowd.The body style is not the only interesting thing about the Avalon: the model also includes a slightly more performance-oriented version in its lineup, the TRD. Buying an Avalon TRD gives you all the practical characteristics of the model with a little extra edge. Let’s take a closer look at the Avalon TRD, the model in general, and why getting behind the wheel of one in 2026 might just be the best car-buying decision you could ever make. The Fifth-Generation Toyota Avalon TRD: An Overview ToyotaThe fifth generation of the Toyota Avalon was launched at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It then went on sale for the 2019 model year, and remained on the American market until 2022, when the Avalon nameplate left the US for good. The shift towards electrified models and SUVs was behind Toyota’s decision to ax the Avalon in the States.The model was replaced by a crossover that brought a historic Toyota nameplate back to the US: the Crown, which arrived on the market for the 2023 model year. In China, however, the Avalon continued to be produced; it has even had two facelifts since leaving the US market, one in 2022 and the other in 2024.Toyota The fifth-gen Avalon has a sleek, modern silhouette, which has come a long way from the model’s mid-90s origins. The headlights are narrow and angular, accompanied by a wide grille which has been expanded compared to the one found in the model’s previous incarnation.The most interesting version of the fifth-generation Avalon is the TRD model, named after Toyota Racing Development. The Avalon TRD was introduced to the lineup for the 2020 model year; however, it only remained in production for one further year and was discontinued for 2022, a year before the model’s demise in the US.The Avalon TRD is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, which produces 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. It offers features such as a track-tuned chassis, an upgraded suspension oriented towards performance, upgraded brakes with two-piston calipers, and a new exhaust system. Automatic climate control, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control are all standard on the TRD. There are also some unique aesthetic touches that set the TRD version apart from more ordinary trim levels, such as a body kit with a rear spoiler and black exterior trim, red interior accents, red seatbelts, and red contrast stitching.Outside of the TRD model, a choice of two powertrains is available across the Avalon lineup. The exclusively gas-powered option is equipped with the V6 engine, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to the front wheels. There is also a hybrid option on offer, whose powertrain pairs a 2.5-liter inline-four engine with two electric motors. Combined output is 215 hp, sent to the front wheels via a CVT. Interior And Tech Toyota The Avalon’s interior is, in keeping with the rest of the vehicle’s character, minimalist and subtle with a focus on practicality. There is plenty of room for passengers to stretch out and remain comfortable even on longer journeys; cargo space is abundant as well, making the Avalon a good choice for buyers shopping for a family car who don’t want an SUV. The rear seats fold down to create additional capacity, ideal for carrying sports kit, baby gear, or other large items.The cabin has a modern, high-tech feel. The Avalon strikes a good balance between touchscreen-controlled functions and physical buttons and knobs, something that modern cars have increasingly lost sight of (although there are now signs that automakers are moving back towards physical controls after consumer backlash).Toyota The red accents offered in the TRD model add a further dose of sportiness and edge to the cabin’s character, spicing up the sensible sedan’s interior just enough to keep things interesting.Although automotive technology progresses very rapidly, and a four-year-old model won’t be quite as up-to-date as a new car, the Avalon’s tech still holds up fairly well. A 9.0-inch touchscreen controls the infotainment system, which is equipped with features such as Apple CarPlay (Android Auto was not available until the 2021 model year) and navigation. An eight-speaker audio system is offered standard, while a 14-speaker JBL system is available as an option. The Fifth-Gen Avalon On The Used Market Today Toyota If you’re shopping for a used, but still fairly recent, example of the Avalon, the fifth generation is the perfect choice for you. Cars from this generation are between four and seven years old, meaning if proper maintenance has been carried out you are unlikely to run into major issues.Toyota The lower end of the price range sits around the $15,000 mark. Here you will find older cars, cars with a higher mileage, and cars with a poorer maintenance record. However, while this does mean you’re more likely to run into some problems, the likelihood of major issues is actually still quite low, thanks to the model’s relatively young age and good overall reliability. The upper end of the price range is around $40,000, for more recent cars and cars with better maintenance or a lower mileage.The TRD model sits in the middle of the fifth-gen Avalon’s price range: you can expect to pay between $19,000 and $35,000. A significant investment, for sure, but one we doubt you'd ever regret making. The Avalon, specifically in TRD guise, combines an attractive and sporty stance with daily driving practicality, and wish-list reliability. Furthermore, while it's certainly no sleeper sedan, with 301 horses under the hood, there is enough pace to keep most gearheads smiling on an otherwise dull commute. The Fifth-Gen Avalon's Reliability Record Toyota Toyota’s reputation for reliability is no secret. The brand has been producing highly reliable vehicles for decades, and the Avalon is just one of many models in the Toyota lineup with a strong record to its name. The high-performance TRD model has earned itself a very important title: in 2024, shortly after the model’s demise in the US, we at CarBuzz found it to be the most reliable TRD model produced by Toyota in the past decade.The 2021 Avalon TRD boasts a J.D. Power reliability score of 82/100, and 4.3/5 stars on Kelley Blue Book. Its average maintenance costs are also quite low. The Avalon TRD also has just two recalls associated with it, according to the NHTSA, and just ten complaints. Overall, the Avalon TRD is a great way to get a little extra performance on top of style, practicality, and solid Toyota reliability: in short, not quite as boring as you may have originally thought.Toyota The wider fifth-gen Avalon lineup has a similarly good record. According to CarBuzz’s own ranking, this generation has been deemed the third most reliable in the Avalon’s history, behind the second- and fourth-gen models. Common problems to watch out for in the fifth-gen Avalon include rough or erratic shifting (in the gas-only model with the eight-speed automatic) and fuel pump failure.We have also taken a look at the best and worst individual model years for the Avalon. One model year from the fifth generation, 2022, has made it into the “best” category, while no fifth-gen model years have made it into the “worst” category. Granted, the fifth-gen Avalon is still a fairly recent model, however we think it has what it takes to be considered reliable several years into the future.