DecodedCars2015 Toyota Avalon
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- Xle/Limited 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 176 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 40 combined · 40 city / 39 hwy
- Length
- 195.3 in
- Curb weight
- 3,549 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 40 MPG combined — 56% better than the average 2015 midsize car (25.7 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- Few owner complaints54 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 243 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 176 hp, versus about 278 hp for similar 2015 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2015 Toyota Avalon is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 195 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,549 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 40 MPG combined (40 city / 39 highway), 56% better than the 2015 midsize car average of 25.7 MPG, for an estimated $1,700 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2015
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 Avalon — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Avalon →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Woodstock, Ontario
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2015 Avalon configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xle/Limited 4dr Sedan | 195.3 in | 72.4 in | 57.5 in | 111 in | 62.6 / 62.2 in | 3,549 lb | 61/39 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon Hybrid Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 40 / 39 / 40 | +56% | $1,700 | 223 |
| Avalon | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 24 | -7% | $2,800 | 365 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 Toyota Avalon.
Similar 2015 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Toyota Avalon (this car) | 40 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2015 Ford Mustang | 25 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2015 Honda Accord | 47 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2015 Chevrolet Impala | 25 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2015 Toyota Camry | 40 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2015 Chevrolet Camaro | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2015 Dodge Charger | 23 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · Jan 17, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V024000 · 2,891,976 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.
Forward Collision Avoidance › Crash Imminent Braking · Nov 3, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V728000 · 30,812 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 19, 2012 to October 27, 2015 and 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 and ES300h vehicles manufactured June 18, 2012 to July 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional equipment. In these vehicles, the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply the brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object.
- Risk
- A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain PCS components, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this campaign are F1V and F2E.
Not every 2015 Toyota Avalon is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2015 Toyota Avalon buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 15 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Forward Collision Avoidance — 8 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Air Bags — 8 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 39,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Toyota Avalon. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Avalon years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Avalon | 44 | 196.1 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 8 |
| 2021 Avalon | 44 | 196.1 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 27 |
| 2020 Avalon | 44 | 196.1 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 10 |
| 2019 Avalon | 44 | 196.1 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 72 |
| 2018 Avalon | 40 | 195.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 25 |
| 2017 Avalon | 40 | 195.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 14 |
| 2016 Avalon | 40 | 195.3 in | Not rated | 4 | 25 |
| 2014 Avalon | 40 | 195.3 in | Not rated | 4 | 100 |
| 2013 Avalon | 40 | 195.3 in | Not rated | 4 | 103 |
| 2012 Avalon | 22 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 23 |
| 2011 Avalon | 23 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 1 | 62 |
| 2010 Avalon | 23 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 16 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →