Is the A25A engine in the Asian Dragon imported?
3 Answers
The A25A engine in the Asian Dragon is part of Toyota's TNGA 2.5 engine series, and this assembly is currently imported directly from Japan. When you open the engine hood, you can see a white label on the left side of the engine that says 'made-in-japan'. Here is some related information: 1. Toyota engines are categorized into series like NR, ZR, and AR based on their positioning and displacement. For example, the Corolla uses NR, the previous generation Camry used ZR, and the Crown Highlander uses AR. 2. These designs are not interchangeable. To save fuel, some engines start with the air side, utilizing EGR and VVT to achieve efficiency; others focus on injection, using the D-4S dual injection system. While these methods can all meet design targets, the experiences between them cannot be shared, leading to wasted costs and labor hours.
Recently, I've been quite interested in the Toyota Avalon, especially regarding the origin of its A25A engine. From an automotive manufacturing perspective, this 2.5-liter engine from Toyota isn't fully imported—it depends on the production location of the vehicle model. For example, in the North American market, the Avalon is often manufactured in the U.S., with the engine either assembled locally or using imported components from Japan, but generally with a high degree of localization. In the Chinese market, FAW Toyota, the joint venture, is responsible for producing the Avalon, and the A25A engine is typically domestically produced. This is because Toyota has been pushing hard for local production in recent years to reduce costs and improve efficiency. I've checked some sources indicating that domestically produced engines became mainstream after 2020, though there were fewer imported batches in the early stages. If you're buying a Chinese-market Avalon, the engine is most likely domestically produced, which helps lower the car's price and avoids high tariffs. Don't overthink it—Toyota's quality control is consistent globally, and there's no noticeable difference in performance. If you want to confirm the origin, just check the vehicle's identification plate or ask directly at the dealership.
I drive an Avalon myself and was curious whether the A25A engine is imported, so I went to the dealership to inquire. The salesperson told me that the engines in the currently sold domestic versions are basically made in China. FAW Toyota has achieved a high level of localization, making them cheaper and more convenient to repair. After driving it for two years, I haven’t encountered any issues—Toyota’s quality control is excellent, and there’s really no difference between domestic and imported ones. The key point is that local production saves money by avoiding tariff costs being passed on to you. If you really want to dig deeper, you can ask someone knowledgeable to check the 11th digit of the VIN—the Chinese factory marks it with a specific code. When buying a car, pay more attention to the specs rather than just listening to sales pitches. Choosing a domestically produced model has many benefits, like faster maintenance and lower costs. The driving experience feels powerful, and the engine sound is smooth—I don’t even care where it’s made, as long as it’s practical.
