It’s not your grandma’s Avalon…or maybe it is. Grandmothers these days are more active and tech-savvy than they’ve ever been, so it makes sense that the large 2014 Toyota Avalon Limited — a vehicle with a reputation as a Granny Camry — has also become more active and tech-savvy in its latest generation.
Toyota has done a good job, I think, injecting new life into this once stodgy marquee. The slick, current generation Avalon is hardly recognizable when compared to the upright chassis of the previous generation. Its dashboard tech now features Toyota’s Entune app integration and futuristic wireless phone charging. Though the more youthful Avalon still retains its primary mission as a big comfortable sedan, it seems to go about its daily drive with just a bit more pep in its step.
Wireless charging for wireless tech
In the center of our Avalon Limited’s dashboard, you’ll find the 7-inch touch screen for the Entune infotainment system. But first, let’s talk about the capacitive shortcut keys surrounding that screen. I’m usually not a fan of capacitive buttons due to their lack of physical feedback, but the Avalon’s buttons feature nicely machined indentations in their brushed-metal surfaces and offer auditory feedback for most functions.
The navigation system features only 2D maps with no 3D building or topographic data, but the graphics are crisply rendered, and the street names fairly easy to read. Traffic data is received by this system, but I didn’t notice any real effect on the routes chosen by the navigation algorithms.
The navigation system also features a decent voice command. My biggest issue was with the need to separately input city, street, and house number, rather than just speaking the entire address in one go. However, I was pleased with the great accuracy of the system’s recognition when I spoke street names and with the very useful on-screen prompts to guide the user through the process.
Just below the main screen is a smaller color screen that displays climate control information for the three-zone HVAC system. Both screens are very easy to read, even in direct sunlight, and quite resistant to glare. Lower-trim Avalon models make use of a monochrome LCD for climate control information. Rounding out the climate-control feature set are heated and ventilated seat surfaces for the front buckets, controlled by a pair of pop-up knobs on the center console. Continue Reading on Cnet.com
