For the past several years, sedans have been suffering from dwindling demand. Despite that, Toyota isn't giving up on its sedans, as the Camry has always been its best-selling model in the United States. This is why the Japanese carmaker is endowing its sedans – the Camry and the Avalon – with new all-wheel-drive variants.
For North America Only
To note, the last time Toyota offered an AWD version of the Camry in the US was in 1991, or nearly 30 years ago. Moreover, there has never been an Avalon AWD in the country. Since most AWD mid-size sedans are usually found in the luxury segment, the new Camry AWD and Avalon AWD should be welcome additions to the sedan market.
The new Toyota Camry AWD and Avalon AWD are North America-only models. Developed in the US, both new AWD sedans are assembled only at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky.
There never was a plan to build AWD versions of the new-generation Camry and Avalon, so the people at Toyota Motor North America Research and Development in Michigan had to do something.
From RAV4 With Love
Since the Camry, Avalon and the RAV4 are all based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), the engineers were able to share the AWD system – including engine, transmission, transfer case, rear differential, and multi-link suspension -- of the SUV with the sedans. A number of modifications on the floor structure had to be made.
When AWD traction isn't needed, the so-called Dynamic Torque Control AWD system disengages the propeller shaft from the differential, thereby temporarily transforming the Camry and Avalon into FWD models for better fuel efficiency. The Toyota Camry AWD will be around 165 lbs. heavier than the Camry FWD, while the Avalon AWD will be as heavy as its FWD siblings powered by a V6 engine.
AWD As Standalone Option
Both the new 2020 Toyota Camry AWD and Avalon AWD will be powered by a 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed Direct-Shift automatic gearbox. While most Camry AWD grades comes with 202 hp of output, the Camry XSE AWD and the Avalon AWD XLE and Limited grades offer 205 hp with dual exhaust.
Toyota will be offering the Dynamic Torque Control AWD system as a standalone option for the Camry and Avalon. The 2020 Camry AWD will arrive early spring while the 2021 Avalon AWD will reach dealerships this fall. That’s something to wait for sedan-lovers!
Source: Toyota