Toyota Avalon In Snow & Winter Driving? (Explained)

The Toyota Avalon is a full-size luxury sedan manufactured by Toyota.

It is also Toyota’s flagship car in China, The Middle East, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the United States.

The sedan was first produced in 1994 and has undergone five generations.

It has recorded decent sales figures over the years, especially in the United States, which speaks to its popularity.

In this article, we discuss how well the Toyota Avalon performs in snow and winter driving.

Here is the short answer to whether the Toyota Avalon is good for snow and winter driving:

The Toyota Avalon is a full-size sedan with an All-Wheel-Drive option, Stability Assist, and Traction Control. These features, alongside the Anti-Lock Brake System and Electronic Brake Force Distribution take good care of the Avalon’s traction during snow and winter driving.

Is Toyota Avalon Good in the Snow?

For a sedan of its size and class, the Toyota Avalon performs incredibly well in snow.

This is all thanks to several driver assistance technologies that aid mobility and guarantee stability when driving on the white stuff.

Prime amongst such features is the intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, which facilities a smooth drive on snowy roads.

It does this by making sure all the wheels get enough torque to power through.

You can also opt for the Avalon with a V-6 engine that delivers up to 301 horsepower. That output allows you to power through snow, so long as the wheel wells are free.

However, the Avalon only has a ground clearance of 5.8 inches, meaning it’ll have issues getting past an enormous pile of snow.

It isn’t all bad news, though. When the snow is moderate, the Avalon’s relatively low ground clearance can contribute to safety.

This is because it allows the Avalon to clutch tightly to the road, reducing the chances of a roll-over.

What Features Will Improve Winter Driving?

The only reason you can take the Avalon on a successful winter drive is because it is equipped with these features:

All-Wheel-Drive System (AWD)

The All-Wheel-Drive system is one of the most important winter driving features on the Avalon.

AWD is available on the XLE and Limited trims from 2021.

It is responsible for the car’s overall stability in slushy conditions and helps drivers maintain a better grip of the vehicle.

The AWD system is equipped with sensors that monitor the vehicle’s wheels to detect loss of traction.

It then augments the torque supplied to the affected wheels to boost traction and preserve control.

The All-Wheel-Drive is very useful in winter as wheels are more likely to lose traction in such conditions.

It makes sure that all tires are at full strength with enough torque to ply wet and slippery roads.

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)

When you regularly drive in winter, there are points where it feels like your steering wheel is unresponsive and you are losing control.

In this case, the Avalon’s Vehicle Stability Control steps in by monitoring your steering angle and the direction your car is headed.

If it detects any weird movement, the VSC lowers the engine pressure to decelerate the car and get you back in control.

It also smartly applies brakes to the affected wheels, fixing wheel slip and preventing a skid off the road.

Traction Control

Extreme and inordinate spinning is typical of vehicles’ wheels during winter, which portends a potential traction loss.

The Avalon’s Traction Control can detect this, and once it does, it swings into action by regulating the wheel speed.

It cuts the excess wheel speed by applying braking pressure to the wheel, which automatically transfers power to the other wheels.

This restores some normal and helps the car drive on safely.

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)

The Anti-Lock Brake system is a safety feature available on many cars to protect them from the effects of hard braking.

It is one of the most important winter driving features of the Toyota Avalon.

During winter, drivers are more likely to apply brakes excessively, and this could lead to the wheels seizing.

The ABS stops this from happening by monitoring wheel speed during hard braking.

 If it detects any of the wheels locking up, the ABS slashes the brake force, increasing rotation and effectively preventing a wheel lockup.

Electronic Brake Force Distribution

The Electronic Brake Force Distribution picks up right where the ABS left off.

It thwarts a potential wheel lockup on your Toyota Avalon by dispersing brake force in proportion to each wheel’s braking effectiveness and weight.

Comfort and Entertainment Features

During winter, the interior of a car can get chilly disconcertingly, which makes winter driving a lot harder.

Not to mention the excruciating boredom that comes with a long drive, especially when you have passengers.

Thankfully, the Toyota Avalon features heated leather seats and exciting infotainment features.

The front seats and the rear seats are leather-trimmed and heated, which can keep up to 5 people comfortable and warm.

The driver also gets a heated steering wheel, making it a lot easier and comfortable to drive.

To forestall boring trips, the Toyota Avalon sports a 9-inch touch screen, Amazon Alexa, and smartphone connectivity.

It also features a Wi-Fi hotspot, five charging ports, and a 14-speaker sound system. Winter driving is difficult. However, the Avalon’s warmth and entertainment features keep you going.

Please also read our article about how long the Toyota Avalon lasts.

Does A Toyota Avalon Have Snow Mode?

The Toyota Avalon comes with three to four dedicated driving modes depending on the model.

However, snow mode didn’t make the list.

Not to worry, the Avalon is equipped with several safety features that make up for the absence of the snow mode.

Can You Install Additional Snow Gear on Avalons?

The Toyota Avalon is equipped enough to survive moderate snow; however, extra equipment can help out in no small way.

Snow gear is meant to be installed on your car to give it extra traction while it makes its way through the snow.

Here is a list of snow gear you should consider for your Avalon:

• Snow Chains
• Ice Studs
• Snow Socks
• Snow Tires

How Much Snow Can an Avalon Handle?

The Toyota Avalon has a ground clearance of 5.8 inches.

That isn’t much to look at, especially when compared to SUVs, but it’s pretty decent for a sedan.

With a 5.8 in. ground clearance, the Toyota Avalon can comfortably handle up to 3.5 inches of snow.

How Do Avalons Handle Low-Winter Temperatures?

The Toyota Avalon has a fuel-injected engine that can handle the effects of frosty weather.

Even when the temperature is sub-zero, you’d still be able to start your car without fail.

If you are having trouble starting your Avalon in winter, it’s likely not because of the weather. It might be for any of the following reasons:

• Broken spark plug
• A dead or weak battery
• Clogged Fuel Filters

Make sure to also read our article about 11 Toyota Avalon statistics you should know. 

Can a Toyota Avalon Drive on Ice?

Driving on ice means a regular loss of traction on your vehicle’s wheels.

Thankfully, the Toyota Avalon is equipped to counteract that, which boosts its performance on the ice.

Also, a roll-over accident is less likely, thanks to the not-so-high ground clearance keeping the car close enough to the pavement.

Does the Avalon Have 4WD?

The Toyota Avalon doesn’t have a four-wheel-drive system (4WD).

However, the Avalon’s available All-Wheel-Drive system is just as capable of traveling during winter.

What About Older Avalon Models and Winter Driving?

ABS became standard on the Toyota Avalon in 1997, and the VSC and Traction Control were introduced in 2009.

The 2011 models featured Toyota’s signature Star Safety system, and the All-Wheel Drive system was finally introduced for 2021 models.

If you are looking to get an older Avalon model for winter driving, we suggest getting one with the Star Safety system.

Also check out our article about where Toyota Avalons are made. 

Do Avalons Need Snow Tires?

Snow tires are a welcome idea for your Avalon, especially if you are going to be dealing with snow on a regular.

They are specially designed to provide stability and improve traction on icy and slushy roads.

You should absolutely get them for your Avalon to aid winter driving.

Can You Mount A Snow Plow on an Avalon?

Snowplows provide a lot of help in getting through snow. However, you can’t have them on just any car.

They are usually designed for heavy-duty trucks and SUVs and aren’t fitting for sedans like the Avalon.

If you are going to mount a snowplow on any vehicle, make sure it is at least an SUV. And before you do, get expert opinions.