Although Toyota claims to have spiced up the 2011 Toyota Avalon (unveiled at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show), reviewers agree it has seasoned with a light hand. The new model sees some refreshing, though conservative, changes, enhancing the 2010 with only a hint of additional flavor so as not to alienate the palate of premium large sedan consumers.

Although the Avalon is a Toyota, the company clearly broadcasts its American connections, emphasizing the fact that the 2011 Avalon was redesigned at Calty Design Research in California and assembled at its Georgetown, Kentucky, plant. Previously available in XL, XLS, and Limited trims, the 2011 has been “simplified” to only two trims: Base and Limited. Both trims retain the 2010 powertrain, with a 24-valve, 3.5-liter dual-overhead cam V6 paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The front-wheel-drive vehicle offers Dual Independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence to optimize the engine’s power and efficiency with 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. Toyota estimates that the 2011 Avalon gets 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway (23 mpg combined), letting Toyota brag about mileage equal to or better than any V6 in the Avalon’s class. The Avalon features a MacPherson strut front suspension, independent strut rear suspension, stabilizer bars, and offset coil springs at all four corners to smooth out the ride.

Toyota highlights several new exterior features for the 2011 Avalon, including a wider, burlier grille, additional chrome, restyled rocker panels, and sideview mirrors that integrate the turn signals. Foglights appear in the front bumper, and new halogen (Base) or high intensity discharge (Limited) headlamps use light pipes for a distinctive appearance at night. Reshaped taillights now encompass turn signals as well as stop and reverse lights, and sport LED light pipes. Toyota also claims that the new streamlined taillight shape reduces rear turbulence and lowers the coefficient of drag. Dual rear exhaust pipes now appear through trapezoidal cutouts in the bumper (similar to the front foglights). In addition, the Limited trim has redesigned wheels (10-spoke with mirror finish), and both trims add three new color choices (Zephyr Blue Metallic, Cypress Pearl, and Sizzling Crimson Mica).

The 2011 Avalon includes an interior redesigned for comfort and technology. Still seating five, this year’s Avalon offers more space with unique reclining rear seats and more comfort with larger, restructured rear headrests offering more support. New technology accompanies the 2011 Avalon as well. Standard equipment in both trims now includes Bluetooth technology for hands-free phone and streaming audio, XM satellite radio, a USB and 1/8-inch auxiliary connection for portable music listening, and a backup camera (Toyota boasts that the Avalon is the first in its segment to make this a standard feature). The optional DVD navigation system has been revamped to increase ease-of-use with new displays and easier search and address input. Displays for road icons and points of interest have been redesigned, and the keyboard is now arranged like a computer. The redesigned instrument panel displays Optitron gauges using white illumination and white pointers. The steering wheel integrates switches for phone, climate, and audio control. And perhaps most important, the 2011 Avalon features a redesigned accelerator pedal with a brake override system.

The base Avalon comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels and projector-beam halogen headlights, foglights, LED taillights, and power heated outside mirrors with driver-side autodimming features and integrated turn signals, as well as a power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade. Inside, the Base offers leather seats with an eight-way-adjustable power driver’s seat and four-way-adjustable power passenger seat. Passenger comfort increases with dual-zone climate control with air filtration. The tilt/telescopic steering wheel integrates audio and climate controls. Storage in the trunk measures 14.4 cubic feet and is accessible from the interior via a 60/40 split in the reclining rear seats. Standard technology for the Base includes power locks and windows, cruise control, remote keyless entry, auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated backup camera, and the HomeLink Universal Transceiver (which allows for the activation of up to three different remote controls from one unit mounted on the Avalon’s visor). The trim rocks a nine-speaker AM/FM CD player with MP3 capability, XM radio, auxiliary audio jack, USB port for iPod connection, and Bluetooth technology.

The Limited trim adds a ten-spoke design with a mirrored finish to the 17-inch alloy wheels, high intensity discharge (HID) headlights that use a metal halide, rather than halogen, bulb for longer life and better illumination. Side mirrors now include puddle lamps to illuminate the ground around the car, which now has chrome outside door handles and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The inside of the Limited adds wood-grain-style details. Leather seats are heated and ventilated (an option for the Base), with an eight-way-adjustable passenger seat (again an option for the Base trim) and power driver’s seat cushion that extends for added comfort. The Limited’s standard technology includes the Smart Key System, which uses sensors to unlock and start the car automatically, and enhances the stereo – now a JBL Synthesis 660-watt, twelve-speaker stereo (an option for the Base). A power rear sunshade automatically retracts when the driver shifts into reverse. Both the Base and Limited Avalon also have an optional voice-activated DVD navigation system.

For those concerned about Toyota’s recent safety issues, the 2011 Avalon includes a redesigned accelerator pedal and brake override system. Both trims come standard with the Toyota Star Safety System, equipped with seven airbags (including one at the driver’s knee), vehicle stability control (which resists skids during a loss of traction), antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution (improving vehicle stability and braking distance when braking conditions are not extreme enough to trigger the antilock brakes), brake assist (which determines whether a driver is attempting an emergency stop and then applies extra brake pressure to maximize the ABS brakes), and TRAC traction control (which helps to maintain traction and control when starting or stopping in slippery conditions). Finally, a direct tire pressure monitor system provides low tire pressure alerts.