Toyota (TM, Financial) Camry has been an extremely popular car in America, and is the favorite in the family sedan segment. The car has topped the preference list of Americans for 12 long years, thanks to the comfort and reliability Toyota offers. The Japanese automakers’ key to success has been the simplicity of its cars, but with changing preferences the bland look of the car has become a pain point. Having realized that Toyota has given its Camry a facelift to regain its prime and top the charts again.
The 2015 Toyota Camry, Picture from Toyota
Growing competition
Camry, which is still a well-liked model in America, was for years the top selling passenger sedan. But it gradually started feeling the heat when other automakers began coming out with flashy cars. And the preference drifted in favor of such bolder and flashy models. Camry started going down the chart, falling behind Ford (F, Financial) Fusion, Chrysler 200, Mazda6 and other similar models that instantly grabbed the attention of buyers.
Gradually car fanatics started preferring other models over Toyota’s bland cars. But the world’s largest automaker won’t let it go that easily. The 2015 Toyota Camry is a solid answer to all those cars touting their flashy looks.
What’s new in the new Camry?
The 2015 Camry is attracted lots of headline recently. The revamped model hit the roads just a couple of months back in September and has bagged rave reviews. The very next month of its release, Toyota’s sales jumped 14% in the midsized sedan segment. Though the powertrains remains the same, the styling, bold curves and other refinements in the model has actually transformed the car, making it looks very energetic and young.
Besides, the new Camry also sports a fresh front grill that gives it a sturdy look. The model sets an example of Toyota’s effort of adding to the driving comfort, experience and exciting. The interior of the car is made using soft-touch material. The look and appearance of the interior together with the dashboard and instrument panel makes the car look a class apart.
The new Camry dashboard, Picture from Toyota
The new Camry is also much quieter than its earlier version, thanks to the additional sound-deadening materials. These new feature would help in compete with the likes of Ford, Mazda and other automakers. The Camry has huge space and legroom with comfortable seats. Toyota has specially taken care of people sitting at the back, providing them enough space to enjoy the drive.
The four cylindered car with 2.5 liter engine offers 178 in horsepower. Though the changes made in the car has made it heavier than before, the fuel economy remains unaffected at 25 mpg. Alternately, it also comes with a hybrid electric engine that gives a mileage of 40 mpg. Also, with upgraded suspension the car can cruise smooth along a rough patch. The Camry carries a competitive rate and comes at a starting price of $23,795. The car excels in the safety front as well.
Impressive on the safety front
The 2015 Camry has been given a five star rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency put the car through various tests to ensure safety requirements. The Camry has to go through various crash tests. Overall it received a rating of five stars. And why not. The car comes with 10 airbags, antilock brakes, traction control, and vehicle stability control. It comes with the option of adding further safety features like a blind spot monitor and an adaptive cruise control. Apart from receiving the top rating, the 2015 Camry has also been branded as the Top Safety Pick+ by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
May be Toyota was not required to put in so much of effort to make its Camry appealing. In 2013 more than 400,000 Camrys were delivered, and so far sales this year has been quite impressive. The Japanese giant could have made a bit of a tweak here and there to boost sales, but that’s not all that Toyota’s looking for. It aims to restore its lost position and move to the top again. And as competition is intensifying and peers are moving up at a faster pace, such a Camry revamp was necessary.
