The Toyota Camry->ke246 is one of the hottest sedans->ke142 out there, leading the sales category for sedans for the last 12 years. Being around since 1979, the Camry has been through a total of 10 generational changes with the most recent taking place in 2011. A refresh came just a couple years later, but for 2015, Toyota->ke88 put the Camry through a redesign that is worthy of being the next generation. All told, the new Camry is more exciting to drive, has a quieter cabin, and is far more appealing to look at. Highlights include new fascias, new body panels all the way around, a newly designed grille, and new exterior lighting. Inside, the car got better materials and an inductive charger dock for properly equipped smartphones. Changes were limited to the interior and exterior, with the same drivetrain components carried over from the 2011 generational shift. That isn’t necessarily bad, though – all three engines perform well for what they are and offer pretty impressive fuel economy as well.

Needless to say, the Camry doesn’t exactly set any records on the race track. But, for what it is, it’s rather luxurious inside and offers upscale passenger comfort and predictable technology. Stepping into the sales discussion, Toyota has sold a total of 1,235,351 Camrys in the U.S., Canada, and Australia between the 2011 and 2013 model years. That’s pretty impressive, right? So will the heavily refreshed Camry ready to continue on where the 2014 model left off as one of the best-selling sedans in the world? Well take a look at our full review of the 2015 – 2016 Camry below to decide for yourself – it certainly won’t disappoint.

Updated 09/02/2014: Toyota announced prices for the 2015 Camry set to be put on sale in late September. Prices will range from $22,970 for the LE trim and up to $29,980 for the Hybrid XLE version. Details after the jump.

Click past the jump for the low down on the 2015 Toyota Camry

2015 Toyota Camry

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Toyota Camry
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 178
  • Torque: 170
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The 2015 Camry enjoys an almost completely redesigned exterior with only the roof panel being carried over. The bumpers, quarter panels, doors, truck lid, rear fascia, and wheels are all new. While the car’s chassis is largely unchanged, the car is larger than the outgoing model. Longer by 1.8 inches and wider by 0.4 inches, the extra area gave designers the ability to create a more athletic look.

That athletic look starts up front with an almost Lexus-like arching LED light fixture just under the LED headlights, which themselves now have a more premium, 3D appearance with loads of detailing under the clear covers. The blacked-out grille on the XSE model – especially contrasted with the red paint as seen the photos – makes the car much more playful than in the past. Another Lexus cue finds its way into the lower arch along the door panels, curving up towards the rear tires.

Around back, a large chrome piece sits over the license plate cutout and connects the two highly stylized taillights. Dual exhaust tips protrude from under a black aero diffuser with actual winglets under the car. On the sportier XSE models, a small spoiler resides along the trunk lid for added style.

That XSE trim level is all new for 2015 and puts the added sportiness into the SE trim package. Besides the styling, the XSE gets a few handling upgrades like 18-inch wheels with lower profile tires, firmer shocks and bushings, higher rate coil springs, and an edgier tuning within the EPS computer.

Also new is a Hybrid SE model that combines the hybrid drive systems with a more fun-to-drive suspension setup. A thicker front roll bar, different shocks, and control arm bushings lend themselves to a crisper-handling car.

The engineers also gave attention to the Camry’s list of safety features. Like every Toyota, the STAR safety system comes standard and includes stability control, traction control, ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, and smart stop Technology. Beyond that, the car comes optional with Lane Departure Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System, Auto High Beams, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

2015 Toyota Camry - Exterior Dimensions

Overall height, unloaded

57.9 Inches

Overall width

72.1 Inches

Overall length

191 Inches

Wheelbase

109.3 Inches Inches


Interior

Inside the Camry is an all new cabin, but one that’s familiar to those who’ve sat in the 2015 Highlander. The car’s materials are more upmarket with better fit and finish. French stitching along seams and detailed accent lighting are both a very nice touch. Even the gear shifter has become a classy item to admire with its piano black surround, leather boot, and contrasting stitching.

Satin chrome accents and soft-touch leathers are found throughout the cabin and a nicely finished wood trim piece resides in the dashboard. Push button starting, dual-zone climate controls, and a multi-function steering wheel help cultivate an atmosphere of convenient luxury.

The cabins utility has also been increased thanks to a larger storage area at the base of the center stack. It has room enough for plenty of stuff and features a 12-volt charger and a USB port. However, the best trick up its sleeve is a wireless charging pad for cell phones. It’s a segment first that’s sure to catch on quickly.

Up above in the center stack is Toyota’s Entune infotainment system with an available 7-inch touch screen. Though Toyota hasn’t mentioned much about the system, it will likely feature the same capabilities found in other 2015 Toyota models. That includes Pandora, IHeartRadio, Facebook Places, Yelp, and others; along with navigation and voice recognition.

Over at the driver’s instrument cluster resides another display -- a 4.2-inch TFT screen that displays important vehicle information along with redundant info from the main infotainment screen. Flanking that screen are two large analog gauges with white numbering. Coolant temperature and the fuel level are the only other physical gauges present.

Besides the nifty gadgets, the Camry’s cabin is a much better place to spend time thanks to improved NVH levels. The side mirrors are moved further away from the greenhouse to reduce wind noise and the carpet insulation has been thickened by 30 percent. The improvements stretch across the board on all trim levels that include SE, XSE, Hybrid SE, LE, XLE.

Drivetrain

While the majority of the 2015 Camry has seen improvements, the powertrain will carry over from the current generation, though Toyota hasn’t said anything regarding improvements made to the existing units. Perhaps an increase in horsepower and torque will accompany the sportier exterior.

For now, we know these three engines will return: the standard 2.5-liiter inline four-cylinder, the premium 3.5-liter V-6 and the hybrid model’s 2.5-liter Atkinson Cycle I-4 with its Hybrid Synergy Drive. The hybrid is mated to the E-CVT transmission while the other two engines get a 6-speed automatic.

For 2014, the base 2.5-liter I-4 made 178 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque while the more powerful 3.5-liter V-6 made a respectable 268 horses and 248 pound-feet. The hybrid’s 2.5-liter makes a solid 200 ponies thanks to the extra grunt from the system’s electric motors.

Fuel economy for each engine tends to vary dependent on trim level, but the base 2.5-liter generally rates at 25/28/35 on the city/highway/combined loop. The larger 3.5-liter V-6 comes in at 21/25/31 while the most efficient 2.5-liter hybrid comes in at 43/41/39.

Perhaps like a bump in horsepower, each engine will also get a bump in fuel economy as those numbers are huge selling points in this category.

2014 Toyota Camry figures listed

Type

2.5-liter four-cylinder

hybridized 2.5-liter four-cylinder

3.5-liter V6

Output level

178 HP

200 HP

268 HP

Torque

170 LBS-FT

-

248 LBS-FT


Prices

Model#

Grade

Engine

Transmission

2015 MSRP

2532

Camry LE

2.5 L 4-cyl.

6AT

$22,970

2546

Camry SE

2.5L 4-cyl.

6AT

$23,840

2540

Camry XLE

2.5L 4-cyl.

6AT

$26,150

2548

Camry XSE

2.5L 4-cyl.

6AT

$26,150

2550

Camry XSE

3.5L V6

6AT

$31,370

2554

Camry XLE

3.5L V6

6AT

$31,370

2559

Camry Hybrid LE

2.5L 4-cyl. Hybrid

E-CVT

$26,790

2561

Camry Hybrid SE

2.5L 4-cyl. Hybrid

E-CVT

$27,995

2560

Camry Hybrid XLE

2.5L 4-cyl. Hybrid

E-CVT

$29,980


Competition

Honda Accord

The Honda Accord has always been a top seller in the mid-size sedan category for more years than we can remember. It’s made its reputation of solidly-built, reliable transportation that somewhat sporty to drive. That recipe hasn’t changed much in the last 20 years as the Accord continues to rank near the top of the sales charts.

Powered by a sweet 3.5-liter V-6 featuring Honda’s i-VTEC variable valve timing system that helps the engine produce 278 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Sixty mph comes a quick 6.2 seconds.

Pricing for the Accord starts at $21,995 and rises to nearly $35,000 with all the boxes checked on the top trim level.

2015 Hyundai Sonata

The Sonata is a relative newcomer to the midsize category, and this 2015 refresh is its first update since becoming a legitimate contender with its total makeover in 2011. Like the Camry’s refresh, the Sonata’s is mainly cosmetic as it returns with the same 2.4- and 2.0-liter I-4 engines. Though for 2015, both engines received a bump in power, especially in the lower RPM band.

The new, more mature Sonata will surely give the Camry a strong competitor, but whether its changes will be enough to dethrone King Camry is yet to be seen.

Hyundai hasn’t released any details on pricing at this point, though we can expect to hear more closer to the car’s forth-quarter sales launch.

Conclusion

The improvements made to the new Camry are significant in all the right places. It’s all improvements in areas buyers can see, feel, or easily perceive. Though we’ve yet to take it for a drive, it seems Toyota did their homework in improving an already good car. Sure, there isn’t much wrong with the current Camry, but there is so much more right with the new 2015 model.