Compare 2019 Toyota Avalon vs. LaCrosse

First produced in 1994, the Toyota Avalon makes a statement wherever it goes. It’s always ready for your next move. The Buick LaCrosse is a more recent addition to the full-size sedan scene, having been first produced 14 years ago in 2005.

The LaCrosse starts with a much lower MSRP of $29,570. The Avalon has a starting MSRP of $35,550¹². However, equipping the LaCrosse to match the Avalon’s standard features very quickly closes that price gap. Some of the Avalon’s standard feature advantages include advanced active safety with the Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ suite and integrated navigation. The LaCrosse does offer some of the same features, and we’ll detail each vehicle’s advantages in the following sections.

Toyota has always been known for its reliability. In 2018, the Toyota Avalon was awarded the Kelley Blue Book®⁴¹ title for Best Resale Value: Full Size Car. The LaCrosse did not receive any individual Kelley Blue Book® awards for 2018.

In this head to head comparison, we’ll take a look at safety, interior, and performance.

Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ comes standard on every Avalon. The key active safety features in this package include Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)²³²², Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)²⁰, Automatic High Beams (AHB)¹⁸, and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)³⁹.

LaCrosse does offer two comparable safety packages. The first is called Driver Confidence Package 1. However, this package is only standard on the Premium trim and above. It’s not available on lower trims like the LaCrosse 1SV FWD. The Driver Confidence Package includes: Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert. The base model of the LaCrosse Premium starts at an MSRP of $39,595.

Additional features are available on LaCrosse with the Driver Confidence Package II which is an additional $1,690 on Premium and above trims. This extra-cost package includes: Adaptive Cruise Control - Advanced, Automatic Parking Assist, Forward Automatic Braking, and Front Pedestrian Braking as well as the features in the Driver Confidence Package 1. However, this package is not available on LaCrosse trims lower than LaCrosse Premium. It will cost an estimated $41,285 to configure the LaCrosse with comparable features to Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ which comes standard on Avalon starting at $35,550¹².

Of note, ToyotaCare¹¹ also comes standard on every Avalon. All leases and purchases of 2019 Toyota vehicles receive no charge 24-hour Roadside Assistance³⁸ for 2 years/unlimited miles, plus the ToyotaCare¹¹ no-cost scheduled factory maintenance plan for 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.

When it comes to airbags, both the Avalon and LaCrosse have 10. The Avalon and the LaCrosse may tie with airbags, but they differ in maintenance plans. The LaCrosse comes with roadside assistance for 72 months or 70,000 miles. However, their maintenance plans cost extra.

Discover more control at your fingertips. The Avalon is filled with an array of seamless multimedia features like Entune™ 3.0⁴⁴. The Avalon Limited comes standard with Entune™ 3.0 Premium Audio with integrated Dynamic Navigation⁷⁰⁴⁴. This allows you to bring all the best navigation technology with you, no matter where you go. LaCrosse Premium drivers will have to pay extra for a comparable integrated vehicle navigation option.

If you enjoy taking in the sights as you drive, your passengers will, too. That’s why a power moonroof comes standard on the Avalon Limited, so everyone in the car can take in the places you go. The LaCrosse Premium can be equipped with a panoramic moonroof, but it comes at an extra cost of $1,550.

Want phenomenal sound to amp up every drive? While both the Avalon and LaCrosse have Apple CarPlay®⁵¹, there are some differences. For instance, only the LaCrosse has Android Auto. But when it comes to speakers, the Avalon can’t be beat.

The Avalon Limited comes with a 14-speaker system that outdoes the competing 8-speaker audio system. The LaCrosse Premium does have available an 11-speaker Bose® premium audio system, but it will cost $1,145 to get it. This audio system comes standard only on the highest-grade 2019 LaCrosse Avenir.

In the next section, we’ll talk about performance.

In the mileage department, the Toyota Avalon has a slight edge. The Avalon Limited has an EPA-estimated miles-per-gallon of 22 city/31 hwy/25 comb MPG⁴⁸. The LaCrosse Premium V6 FWD is rated an EPA-estimated 20 city/30 hwy/24 comb MPG⁴⁸.

Avalon drivers can choose the all-new XSE grade or the maxed-out Touring grade for maximum performance. These trims feature paddle shifters and available Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE) system to help excite the drive.

The Toyota Avalon offers a hybrid model for drivers concerned about their global footprint. Avalon Hybrid XLE comes with an EPA-estimated 43 city/44 hwy/44 comb MPG⁴⁸. The LaCrosse offers a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine with eAssist light electrification technology that has an EPA-estimated 25 city/35 hwy/29 comb MPG.

When comparing the gas V6 engines of these two competitors, the 2019 LaCrosse Avenir FWD has nine more horsepower. However, since it weighs 180lbs. more than the Avalon (3840 lbs. vs. 3660 lbs.), horsepower and torque advantages the LaCrosse has might be even more slight.

Ready to see our winner? Read on to see our pick in this head to head competition.

Every mile is what you make it. If you’re looking to drive those miles with performance and safety, consider the Toyota. The Toyota Avalon stands out for both performance features and safety with standard Toyota Safety Sense TSS-P®²⁴ on every trim.

The Avalon Limited boasts an assortment of high-tech interior features that give it a competitive edge over the LaCrosse Premium, including Entune™ 3.0 Premium Audio with integrated Dynamic Navigation and a 14-speaker system standard on Avalon⁴⁴⁷⁰. With a sound system and connectivity like this, it’s quality you can hear, feel, and see in every drive.

Toyota and reliability go hand-in-hand. The Avalon is no different with ToyotaCare¹¹ which offers roadside assistance³⁸ for 2 years/unlimited miles and a no-cost scheduled maintenance plan for 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.

The LaCrosse’s roadside assistance program is good for 72 months and 70,000 miles, but Buick’s factory scheduled maintenance plans cost extra.

It’s for these reasons and more that our head to head winner is the Avalon.