BY JEFFREY WEIDEL
Although Toyota historically goes a long time before making dramatic changes in the highly-popular Camry, here’s some bad news for the competition, which always seems to be running uphill trying to catch this classic family-favorite sedan.
Instead of waiting a few more years for a redesign – which is typically every five or six years – Toyota decided to redesign the Camry a mere three years after its last major transformation. The 2015 redesign is very significant and gives Camry even more of an edge.
In case you needed reminding, the Camry has been the top-selling car in the U.S. for more than a decade.
The conventional gas engine Camry has a whole new look and so does the impressive 2015 Camry Hybrid, which was test driven here recently for a week.
We liked the new exterior look, the improved interior makeup, and also the more agile handling. But the most impressive aspect of the Camry Hybrid is it delivered the advertised mileage (40-43 mpg) and perhaps went even a little further than that. One week of extensive around-town driving and the Camry still had three-quarters of a tank left. Now that’s truly impressive.
Toyota jazzed up the formerly stodgy midsize Camry exterior. Among the changes were a new and larger grille, plus a sculpted body and more intriguing taillights. From an overall physical standpoint, the Camry just appears bolder and aggressive.
Improved material quality is one of the most notable interior changes for 2015. The Camry also has a new center console, more door-panel space, and overall refinement that includes larger knobs and climate control buttons.
2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid
- Performance: 2.5-liter, four-cylinder, 200 horsepower
- Mileage estimate: 40-43 mpg
- Price: $26,790 to $29,980
- Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles; drivetrain 5 years/60,000 miles; roadside assistance: 2 years, 25,000 miles; corrosion: 5 unlimited
Always big on comfort and roominess, the Camry still delivers in those areas with its spacious interior. The trunk is a respectable 13.1 cubic feet and the rear seat is a split 60/40, folding down flat to create a large cargo area.
Although a hybrid, this is not one that lacks guts. In fact, the Camry has plenty of power, going 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds, a quick time for this segment. There is only one engine, a high-performing 2.5-liter, four-cylinder with an electric motor and battery pack that produces 200 net horsepower.
The suspension improvements make the new Camry even better as a road performer. And that’s saying something, considering the Camry has always possessed a quiet, precision-like driving capability and delivered a comfortable ride. The braking is improved as well.
The Toyota Camry hybrid has its share of competitors. A list of impressive hybrid rivals includes the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, and Volkswagen Jetta.
The redesign makes the Camry Hybrid more appealing than ever. It remains a highly sensible, dependable, well-made family sedan that is great on gas, sells at a reasonable price, possesses great resale value, and offers comfort, good performance, and reliable handling.
Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Visit his winter website at www.tahoeskiworld.com
