In order to give its XV50 Camry more emotion, Toyota has given it an extensive reworking with all exterior body panels, except the roof, changed.
With a new front end treatment aping the rather handsome Avalon and rear styling taken largely from the Corolla, the updated Camry looks rather different to the stodgy car introduced to the world just two years ago. The car’s underlying structure remains the same, although there are more spot welds for improved rigidity. This means that the altered side window line is achieved via false window extension in the C-pillar involving lots of black plastic and chrome.
The new styling has bulked up the Camry’s dimensions, with the updated model measuring 45mm (1.8in) longer overall and featuring a 10mm (0.4in) wider track. Toyota says that it has honed the car’s suspension and steering components to make it more fun to drive.
Under the reworked sheet metal, however, lies a drivetrain that’s been left largely untouched. As before there’s a hybrid drivetrain with an Atkinson-cycle 2.5-litre engine, as well as the regular 2.5-litre 4-cylinder and 3.5-litre V6 models.
LED driving lights are standard (at least in the US), and LED headlights are available on certain models. Changes to the interior are a little more subtle, but Toyota says that the facelifted Camry will feature improved material choice. In a first for its class, the updated Camry features a wireless inductive charging area in the centre console.
Other tech available includes lane departure warning, radar-guided cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and automatic high beam operation.
