2021 Toyota Avalon vs. 2021 Toyota Camry Comparison

The Avalon cleverly blends sporty and upscale styling for a winning combination inside and out, but its massive maw might be just a bit too much for some buyers. The interior is nice enough to be mistaken for a Lexus—almost.

The Camry is no longer the drivable appliance it once was. The car’s most recent updates have made it downright aggressive-looking in some trims, and all models feature strong lines.

The base four-cylinder won’t win any drag races, but it’s mostly smooth and refined, making it a decent companion for the comfy-cruiser Avalon. The V6 is even smoother, and the hybrid’s quiet, unobtrusive operation complements the large sedan. The addition of available all-wheel drive improves handling and bad-weather performance considerably.

The base four-cylinder engine may win on fuel economy, but it lacks the power to make it memorable. The uprated V6 engine is a much better choice for folks wanting a little spice with their Camry, and the Hybrid is one of the smoother options on the market today.

There’s little fault found in the Avalon’s interior. Despite moving in a sportier direction in recent years, the car remains supremely cushy inside. That’s on top of tremendous trunk space and standard folding seats.

Despite a misstep with materials quality in the base LE model, Toyota made the Camry a lovely place to spend time. The XLE trim impresses with its plush new leather and most models carry excellent sound deadening.

Gasoline models can achieve a decent 34 mpg on the highway, but the Hybrid models shine. In its most efficient configuration, the Avalon Hybrid delivers an EPA-estimated 44 mpg in combined and highway driving and 43 mpg in the city.

The Camry is more than decent on fuel economy, even with the V6 engine equipped. Four-cylinder and Hybrid models win the day, though, with up to 33 mpg and 53 mpg highway, respectively.

The Avalon missed out on a Top Safety Pick award for 2021 but did receive an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA. Plus, every Avalon leaves the factory with a long list of standard driver assists.

Toyota hasn’t placed a foot wrong with the Camry and its safety equipment in 2021. It earned a Top Safety Pick + award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA, and that’s on top of a generous list of standard safety gear.