With a redesign for 2015, Toyota's Camry has improved in looks as well as interior quality.
Last reshaped for the 2012 model year, all body panels, except the roof, are different for 2015, with a more aggressive styling that represents Toyota's desire for a new emotional direction for the Camry.
At the same time, interior roominess has been retained.
With an official 41.6 inches of leg room in front and 38.9 inches in the rear, the midsize sedan excels in seating comfort. The 15.4-cubic-foot trunk is neither big nor small for a midsize family sedan, but average. It is lighted and carpeted.
On the exterior, the Camry mimics the higher-priced Toyota Avalon as well as the luxury division's Lexus sedans with a much larger grille than in past years. The Camry has become svelter and less squarish. The front and rear track has increased by almost a half-inch for a wider stance. Front overhang also has increased by 1.38 inches giving it a sportier appearance. Front turn signals are integrated into the bumper. Halogen headlights are swept back. In the rear are dual chrome-tipped exhaust pipes.
On the interior, door panels are trimmed in suede or fake leather instead of cloth or metal. The newly styled dash features more soft-touch surfaces that impart a premium feel. Climate control knobs are larger. No longer does one need a magnifying glass to find them. And the sound system includes two knobs, one for volume and the other for radio station searches. If one gets frustrated with punching a touchscreen repeatedly to get to a station or a sound level, simply turn a knob. It is faster and less frustrating.
To further extend the emotional element, Toyota is expanding the Camry's sport-tuned offerings. A new XSE model gets even firmer suspension settings than the SE model, which had been the sportiest in the lineup, plus 18-inch wheels instead of the SE's 17s.
Powertrains are the same as in recent past years. Four-cylinders are standard but a V6 is an upgrade for the XSE and (premium) XLE models. The V6 is not offered on the LE and SE models. The former L model has been discontinued. A hybrid Camry called the HV is on the market, equipped with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that works with two electric motors to produce 200 horsepower and it has an Enviromental Protection Agency estimated fuel usage rating of 43 miles per gallon in city driving and 41 mpg in the country.
A regular unleaded gasoline-powered XLE engine with a 3.5-liter, 268-horsepower, dual overhead cam V6 engine mated to a standard shiftable six-speed transmission averaged 22.2 mpg during a week of test driving. This lack of economy could be the result of driving habits. It was driven hard in the city, suburbs and on interstates with two adults aboard and with no effort expended on fuel economy. The EPA rates this 3,460-pound vehicle at 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. Good luck with the 31 mpg highway.
One reason for pushing the test Camry is the responsive V6. It begs to race. In media testing, the V6 XLE has raced from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, which likely makes it the fastest sedan in its midsize class. Braking to a stop is in the 120- to 125-foot range, which is OK. Disc brakes with single calipers measure 11.65 inches in front and 11 inches in the rear.
The ride is a quiet one and this is due to new insulating factors such as custom-formed foam inserts to seal service holes, block wind and road noise, cast foam in the floor carpets to dampen vibration and noise, plus an acoustic windshield.
Keeping the ride smooth are struts in front and rear with coil springs and shock absorbers plus stabilizer bars.
In the XLE, besides power and heated front bucket seats (leather trim for all seats), amenities include a power tilt and slide sunroof (one-touch, open and close and jam protection), four power windows (express one-touch, up and down in front), plus power door locks, heated exterior mirrors and split fold-down rear seats. There is a back-up camera with images appearing on a dashboard screen.
The leather-trimmed tilt and telescopic three-spoke steering wheel includes Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio controls.
Other niceties on the V6 XLE are remote entry, smart start, cruise control, air conditioning, washer-linked intermittent wipers and Entune infotainment system. Entune controls the entertainment, communications, and navigation functions, and provides access to apps on owners' smartphones. It now comes with a customizable 7-inch touch homescreen, swipe capability, voice recognition training, cache radio that can rewind up to 20 minutes of programming, AM-FM, SiriusXM satellite high definition radio with doppler weather overlay and traffic, six speakers, auxiliary audio jack, compact disc and MP3 players, hands-free phone, wireless charging, phone book access and music streaming via Bluetooth and a free App suite for Bang, Pandora and Yelp. The optional $805 Entune package increases speaker numbers to 10, and offers more technological gadgets.
On the safety side, the Camry has 10 airbags (front, sides, overhead, knee), traction and stability controls, an antilock braking system with brake assist, seatbelts for five with headrests, LED running lights and a tire pressure monitoring system.
A blind spot with rear-cross traffic alert is a $500 option.
The tested XLE was priced at $31,370. The HV hybrid is priced from $26,790, the LE from $22,970, the SE from $23,840, the four-cylinder XSE and XLE from $26,150 and the V6 XSE from $31,370.
Warranty coverage is three years or 36,000 miles, five years or 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Roadside assistance and free scheduled maintenance are available for two years or 25,000 miles.
Three years ago Camry went through a redesign. Usually automotive companies redesign models every six years, but Toyota cut that time in half with the 2015 Camry. This recent redesign was unusual. Competition is stiff, though, and Toyota wants to keep up with it. Toyota is offering a $1,500 to $2,000 incentive on 2014 Camrys. So far, there are no company national incentives on 2015 models.
FAST FACTS
Vehicle: XLE model of
2015 Toyota CamryType: midsize four-door, five-passenger, front-wheel-drive sedan
Price: $31,370
Delivery: $825
Engine: 3.5-liter, 268-horsepower, dual overhead cam V6
Transmission: six-speed shiftable automatic
Fuel tank: 17 gallons
Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
Length: 190.9 inches
Width: 71.7 inches
Height: 57.9 inches
Weight: 3,460 pounds
Leg room: 41.6 inches front, 38.9 inches rear
Trunk: 15.4 cubic feet
Ground clearance: 6.1 inches
Turning circle, curb-to-curb: 36.7 feet
Tires, alloy wheels: 17-inch
Brakes: discs, 11.65-inch front, 11-inch rear
Suspension: struts, dual links front, struts rear
Warranty: three years or 36,000 miles, five years or 60,000 miles powertrain, roadside assistance and free scheduled maintenance two years or 25,000 miles
Assembly: Georgetown, KY