Toyota Launches Avalon Nightshade Edition As Model Gets Discontinued From 2022

Before the Toyota Avalon disappears from US showrooms, the Japanese company will offer a new Nightshade Edition for the 2022 model year. It will be one of several small changes the automaker is making to the sedan before stopping assembly at its Kentucky production facility. The same changes will affect the “sporty” Avalon TRD, which is currently not available in the official configurator. The full-size sedan is not available in AWD variants anymore.

The good news for prospective buyers is the addition of new safety features as standard, including the upgraded Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ package (dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, etc), and the addition of a rear-seat reminder system.

With the TRD gone, the XSE Hybrid Nightshade is the most aggressive-looking Avalon available for 2022. It includes blacked-out mirror caps and name badges, black 19-inch alloy wheels, black window trim and door handles, a black shark fin antenna, and a black rear spoiler. Buyers can select Midnight Black Metallic, Wind Chill Pearl, or Celestial Silver Metallic on the Nightshade’s exterior, but the interior only comes in Black Perforated SofTex with Ultrasuede. The Nightshade also receives Toyota’s eight-speaker sound system, which includes a nine-inch touchscreen. Toyota offers a 1,200-watt, 14-speaker premium JBL audio system as standard for the Limited and Touring trims. It’s optional on the rest.

As with all Avalon Hybrid models, the Nightshade uses a 2.5-litre Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine and electric motor, combining to produce 215 horsepower. All non-hybrid Avalon models get a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 301 horsepower.  The motor operates in conjunction with an 8-speed “automatic” Direct Shift, which transmits torque to the front axle.

• Read More: Report: Toyota Avalon To Be Discontinued After 2022 Model Year