When Toyota replaced its rear-wheel-drive Corona in 1983 with the aim of getting a bigger slice of the US market, rival Honda had already been setting the sales chart ablaze with its Accord saloon. But it took the Camry only a few years to topple the Accord from the pedestal of America’s bestselling car, a position it holds to date.
The recipe for its success was simple; robust build quality, bullet-proof reliability, incredibly low maintenance costs and high residual value. While these winning attributes have been retained unfailingly across generations, Toyota has often been panned for not devoting as much attention to the Camry’s looks. It’s this gripe that the world’s biggest carmaker is seeking to address with the new 2015 version of the saloon, which is evident from the timing and scale of this update.
The Camry has always followed a generational update sequence of five to six years, so it came as a surprise when Toyota announced this refresh barely three years after an all-new model had been released. And as mid-life makeovers go, this is one of the most comprehensive we’ve seen from Toyota, with a claimed 2,000 parts that are new or re-engineered, including an all-new exterior design and brushed up interior. Apparently, it’s only the roof that stands in the way of this being an all-new Camry.
The changes are obvious from the first glance, with the thoroughly revamped front fascia sporting a more prominent Lexus-like spindle grille that’s also very similar to the one seen in the larger Avalon, as well as sleeker, redesigned headlights and daytime running lights.
These, along with the sculpted profile and the smoother rear with an added dash of chrome and restyled taillamps, give the car a bolder, more refined and contemporary look compared to the 2014 model.
The changes inside are not as sweeping but the overall quality of the cabin appears to have been significantly improved with soft plastics and perforated suede-like material used in the dashboard, door trims and other upholstery with red contrast stitched finishes.
The controls for the climate and entertainment systems also feel more upscale than before, sensibly designed and ergonomically laid out. As it has always been, the Camry’s cabin remains one of the most spacious among all cars in this segment, with ample room for four relatively tall adults to travel in comfort.
The eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat is easy to settle into and offers a great mix of support and comfort, while the redesigned steering wheel feels more agreeable in your hands than before.
Meanwhile, the dual-zone air conditioning system makes quick work of cooling the cabin of the car even when it’s been parked in the summer heat for hours. Completing the overall upmarket ambience is a 10-speaker JBL surround system, which offers a remarkably better audio experience than previous iterations.
Realising that sharper looks mean nothing if not translated into sharper dynamics, Toyota has given the new Camry a stiffer body structure with additional spot welds to increase rigidity, and a tuned suspension with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link set-up at the rear. These, together with recalibrated electric power steering and a tweaked two-stage brake-booster system, make for a better driving experience, with improved responses to driver input and a much more poised, assured demeanour around corners.
However, even as these changes are remarkable for a Camry, they aren’t enough to place the car’s driving dynamics a notch above that of a Mazda 6’s or a Volkswagen Passat’s.
This being a facelift, Toyota has kept the drivetrain unchanged, with the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine carried over, still making 178bhp and 235Nm of torque coupled to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The four-pot has been around for a while now, but still has enough juice in it to haul this mid-size saloon around with ease. Upon acceleration, it feels livelier than the similarly powered unit in the Honda Accord, which is now only available mated to a CVT. And even at highway speeds, it’s easy to agree with Toyota’s claim that added insulation has made this the quietest Camry ever.
One gripe we had about Toyota here was that even the top end variants of certain models weren’t offered with the full list of safety features. It’s heartening to see that at least the top two trim levels — the Dh95,900 SE+ and the Dh105,900 Limited — now come with 10 airbags and other safety features like enhanced vehicle stability control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, Brake Assist and Isofix child safety systems, all of which have helped the new Camry achieve top-notch results in crash safety tests.
The 2015 model year upgrades have made this Toyota’s most convincing attempt at infusing character and liveliness into the Camry saloon. Add the aggressive new styling, and a driving experience that’s different from the forgettable dynamics of the past to its legendary reliability record, and the new Camry is sure to appeal to a new set of buyers who wouldn’t have considered it an option previously.
