The Toyota Camry is a familiar name to almost everyone out there. Toyota was once very straightforward with their ideas which made some of them, including the Camry, kind of bland. But the new wave of Toyotas is way nicer to look, is better to drive, and comes with hybrid tech.
The new Toyota Camry looks the part and can very well be inducted into the list of cool-looking Japanese sedans. It is offered in multiple variants, like LE, SE, XSE, XLE, and the sporty TRD model. It's difficult to deny that, although it looks stylish, the design is overdone, particularly in the front.
The hybrid models are the ones to buy because they perform rather well, and at the same time, deliver good fuel efficiency. The base models of the 2022 Toyota Camry are powered by an in-line 4-cylinder petrol engine that makes 203 hp, while the V6 unit puts out 310hp. Customers also have the option to equip their 4-cylinder Camrys with an all-wheel drive.
The spacious cabin of a Toyota Camry has always let you stretch your limbs out, and that still holds with the new car. With a huge infotainment screen, and a well-built, tech-laden cabin, it doesn't leave you wanting for more. Even safety-wise, the Camry gets good scores from all over the globe. The well-rounded Toyota Camry locks horns with the likes of Nissan Altima, Kia K5, Hyundai Sonata, and Honda Accord in this dying breed of sedans.
Toyota's New Camry Looks Attractive
The Camry can easily pass off as being an attractive sedan. The long bonnet and stubby tail give it a sporty outline. There are lots of creases along the body, but it's the face that makes us want something better on the next model. The entire chin is blacked-out, so is the grille, the headlights look sharp, and so does either side of the bumper.
It's a look that has managed to work quite well in the US car market, which is one of the many reasons why it's the best-selling sedan here. The rear end is a lot nicer to look at. Those horizontal tail lights, the slats on either side of the rear bumper, that mildly raised boot spoiler, and the twin tailpipes complete the look.
New Toyota Camry's Cabin Is Loaded With Tech
Inside, the Camry gets huge panels, covered with a wood-like or a metal-like finish. There's a 9.0-inch touchscreen that comes standard, and if you opt for the higher variants, you get more hues, including some sporty red accents. There's ample room for five passengers, and the design conveys there's been a lot of imagination that's gone into it.
The space at the front is good, and the trunk is massive. The Camry is perfect when it comes to the length of mid-size sedans. The seats up-front are covered in cloth or leather, and the seats feature heating and cooling functions as well.
The base LE variant comes in at an MSRP of $25,845. You get cloth seats, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, LED lighting, and active safety tech, but don't get the sporty bits from the higher variants. On the XSE and XLE variants, the Camry offers powered front seats, JBL audio, navigation, and a sunroof. The top-end XSE model gets leather seats with a heating function, a sunroof, dual-zone climate control, 19-inch black alloy wheels, and lots more. The V6-engined Camry starts from $32,910.
Toyota Camry's Smooth And Economic Performance
Don't expect the base Camry to impress you in this aspect, but the 8-speed automatic transmission works perfectly well, for which it gets brownie points. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel-drive comes as an option as we'd mentioned earlier.
Of all the Camrys, it's the one with the 301 hp 3.5-liter V6 that we like. Power delivery is smooth, and there's a lovely muted growl that goes with it. There is a lot to like about the Lexus-like feel in this aspect.
However, we'd still put our money down on the Camry Hybrid, because it makes 208hp with the electric motor and battery combined. The Camry is reported to be a bit too soft, but it still inspires confidence. If you want a bit of fun, then the SE and XSE variants have lower ride heights and stiffer suspension, allowing the driver to push hard.
The fact that Toyota has made driver-assistance technology standard on all Camry variants, makes us happy to think they've treated safety as a priority. Other standard features include adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and automatic emergency braking. Additional options include blind-spot monitors and a surround-view camera system.
Secret To Toyota Camry's Success is Simplicity And Refinement
The simple formula of the Toyota Camry has been refined in so many ways over the years, that it is hard to nitpick at what has turned out to be a great car. Of course, it doesn't deliver the thrills of a driver's car, but every American owning one today has overlooked that aspect, simply because, it gets everything else spot-on.
Source: Toyota