2021 Toyota Camry is the first to get Safety Sense 2.5 Plus

Toyota camry It has been the best-selling sedan in the United States for 18 consecutive years. Babies who were brought home from the hospital when this model began to top the sales charts can now vote. To help maintain its sales crown for another turn of the calendar, Toyota has just announced a series of updates to its venerable Camry, tweaking the model range, improving the car’s design, and perhaps most importantly, adding even more technology.

Updated looks across the range

Looking at the images seen here, it is difficult to know what is new initially and, truth be told, there are no major visual changes. The comfort-focused LE and XLE models are dressed in more defined lower air intakes. The former has new 17-inch alloy wheels, the latter wheels in 18 redesigned. Inside, the XLE models feature a new herringbone seat pattern for an extra touch of luxury.

If you want a little spice in your Camry, the sportier SE and XSE grades are still an option. By 2021, they feature a bolder lower fascia design complete with honeycomb inserts. Additionally, the new model for the upcoming model year is an XSE hybrid model, offering incredible fuel efficiency and increased styling.

Interestingly, one thing has been phased out by 2021. The base grade L no longer exists. the Camry LE will now serve as an entry level model. In total, 17 different variants of this car will be offered, three models with a V6, five with four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive, another five with the same engine and all-wheel drive, plus four different hybrid grades.

The Camry TRD sports model has also been further refined. Introduced for 2020, its design practically stands out, except for an exclusive and recently available two-tone paint combination, Ice Edge with a Midnight Black Metallic roof.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 Plus

When it comes to driver assistance technology, the 2021 Camry is the first model to get Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 Plus, offering several new features. The pre-collision system with pedestrian detection can now recognize cyclists during the day and pedestrians in low light situations, in addition to other vehicles. This system also features something called an intersection mount, which can improve city driving safety. By turning left, you can detect oncoming traffic, sound an audio or visual alarm, and even automatically brake in certain situations to avoid an unpleasant head-on collision. Beyond all of that, Toyota engineers added something called emergency steering assistance, which can help stabilize the vehicle in its travel lane during evasive maneuvers, such as by avoiding a cyclist or other vehicle.

Toyota’s updated adaptive cruise control system has been further enhanced with a feature that makes it easier for other vehicles to pass. If you’re stuck behind slower moving traffic, you can activate the turn signal and when it starts to turn in the other lane, it will automatically start accelerating to the preset speed to make overtaking more fluid.

Unsurprisingly, Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 Plus also features lane departure warning and lane keeping assistance. Automatic high beams and traffic signal recognition are also included.

A backseat reminder feature is also coming to the Camry by 2021. As with similar systems from other automakers, it’s designed to keep you from forgetting something in the car – be it a package, a laptop bag, or something a lot. more critical, like a pet or sleeping child.

To complete the driver assistance technology of this sedan, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert is a standard fare on XSE and XLE models. In the lower grades LE, SE, and SE Nightshade, it is now available as an option. As for sports TRD model, Blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert and heated side view mirrors are now standard equipment.

It’s what’s inside that counts

New for the latest model year is a pair of floating infotainment displays. The standard touchscreen measures 7 inches, although the upper tier offering is about 9 inches more generous. Having tried that bigger screen on the 2021 RAV4 Prime Pluggable SUV is quite nice with ample screen space making the icons large and easy to use. For added flexibility, even the base infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility and even Android Auto.

Minor changes to the Camry’s interior include some new tweaks. Again, the eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat is standard across the model range, while vented front seats are offered on the XLE and XSE models, which can be a boon in sweltering summer weather. .

More of the same

When it comes to basic improvements, there isn’t much to report. The Camry’s base engine remains a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with, depending on the model, up to 206 horsepower. For drivers who want a little more juice, a smooth-running 3.5-liter V6 is back on the menu at 301 hp. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, although all-wheel drive is only offered with the I4 base. A unique combination of North America, AWD hoped to represent around 15% of Camry’s sales.

Of course, a Camry hybrid is available again. Its powertrain centers around a 2.5-liter engine, which is complemented by a pair of engine generators. Here, the total output of the system reaches 208 hp. The Camry Hybrid should offer performance similar to that provided by the base engine, although you’re probably not getting a gasoline electric vehicle for maximum driving participation. Fuel efficiency is what counts here and this Camry doesn’t disappoint. In entry-level LE appearance, an estimated 51 mpg is expected in the city, 53 mpg on road trips and 52 mpg combined. Hybrid SE, XLE and XSE models are slightly less efficient. They are rated at 44/47/46 mpg, respectively.

The current Toyota Camry is an oversized midsize sedan. A refreshed look and additional technology by 2021 should help this four-door family car maintain its sales leadership. Production is slated to start in October and the samples should start arriving in distributors soon after that. Pricing has yet to be announced, but is likely to be very similar to the 2020 model, which starts at around $ 25,000 and changes, including destination fees.