10 Things You Need To Know About The 2015 Toyota Camry

The 2015 Toyota Camry is the latest and greatest version of the most popular sedan on sale in America.  For the first time in recent memory the new Toyota Camry has been given a serious visual update that strongly separates it from the outgoing model, although many of its mechanical details have maintained the status quo.  It's easy enough to understand why Toyota went to such lengths with the 2015 Camry, as so many of the sedan's mid-size family car rivals have recently debuted revamped efforts of their own.  For once, Toyota is being forced to keep up with the Joneses rather than the other way around, and it's a win-win situation for anyone shopping for an affordable daily driver.

Let's take a look at 10 things you need to know about the 2015 Toyota Camry.

01. The 2015 Toyota Camry Offers All-New Styling

The most startling change made to the 2015 Toyota Camry has to do with its styling, which shirks off the semi-anonymous looks of the 2014 model in favor of a chunky, in-your-face visage featuring a wide grille, angular headlights, and just a splash of chrome.  Toyota claims that the only panel shared between the old and new Camry is on the roof, and most buyers are unlikely to make more than a passing note that the cars have a similar profile.  Additional details, such as LED fog lamps and headlights, chrome trim around the window frames, and a chrome bar across the rear deck lid, help to add to the Camry's revised personality.

02. The 2015 Toyota Camry Rides On A Fresh Platform

Underneath its flashy new skin, the 2015 Toyota Camry has seen several changes made to its chassis.  The vehicle's track was widened by a little less than a half an inch in order to improve stability through the corners, and while the car carries over the same general suspension design that it had last year it's seen its steering reconfigured for better integration with its electric power assist system. There's also new brake tuning to improve pedal feel by way of a two-stage booster.  Overall, the Toyota Camry is now 1.8 inches longer than it was before, and its body panels have been given additional spot welding to enhance the sedan's overall stiffness.

03. The 2015 Toyota Camry Delivers A Nicer, Quieter Interior

The 2015 Toyota Camry takes a step towards a more premium experience for those riding along inside its cabin.  The Toyota Camry mid-size sedan now boasts a higher degree of soft-touch materials at strategic points throughout its passenger compartment along with a larger center console that offers more usable storage space.  A 4.2-inch LCD screen joins the Camry's list of features as well.  Occupants will also notice that the 2015 Camry is much quieter than the vehicle it replaces, as Toyota has invested in sound deadening throughout the car as well as improved aerodynamics to reduce the amount of noise penetrating from the outside world.

04. The 2015 Toyota Camry Carries Over Last Year's Engines

The 2015 Toyota Camry elects to stick with the tried and true when it comes to its available drivetrains.  Base models of the new Toyota Camry will feature the same 178 horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder mill found under the hood of the existing model, where it also makes 170 lb-ft of torque.  Those seeking more of a thrill can opt for the Camry's optional 3.5-liter V-6, which as been tuned to provide 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque.  Each engine is shifted via a six-speed automatic transmission, with no traditional manual gearbox available.

05. The 2015 Toyota Camry Should Feature Familiar Identical Fuel Economy

Although we don't have exact specifications available for the 2015 Toyota Camry's weight, or its EPA estimated fuel economy, given that it carries over its existing engine options we can make some educated guesses about its efficiency.  In fact, we're confident that the 2015 Toyota Camry won't stray all that far from the 2014 model when it comes to fuel mileage, which means you can expect in the neighborhood of 25-mpg city and 35-mpg highway for the base four-cylinder and 21-mpg around town and 31-mpg highway for the more robust V-6.

06. The 2015 Toyota Camry Will Come In A Hybrid Model

The 2015 Toyota Camry will continue to offer the popular Hybrid model that is currently available with the existing sedan.  Like the gasoline power plants, the current Toyota Camry Hybrid setup will find a new home in the 2015 edition of the car.  This means the new Camry Hybrid will also feature a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated with a single electric motor.  Together they produce 200 horsepower and provide a fuel mileage rating of 43-mpg in stop and go driving and 39-mpg on the highway, and output is managed by a continuously-variable automatic transmission.

07. The 2015 Toyota Camry Introduces The XSE Trim

In an effort to further hone the 2015 Toyota Camry's ride, the new model introduces the Camry XSE trim level.  The Toyota Camry XSE can be thought of as an extension of last year's SE edition, which boasted a more responsive suspension tune compared to the base model sedan.  The XSE further tightens up the Camry's chassis by way of even more aggressive springs and shocks, adds 18-inch rims and rubber, quickens the car's steering and grafts a more aggressive look to the exterior of the vehicle.  Those who are not convinced that the Camry needs to head down such a sporty path can stick with the carry-over SE model or head for the cushier XLE edition.

08. The 2015 Toyota Camry Brings Additional Safety Gear To The Table

The 2015 Toyota Camry seriously ups its game with respect to advanced safety equipment.  In addition to the 10 airbags offered for 2014, the new Toyota Camry gains available features such as a lane departure warning system, a blind spot monitoring system with rear cross traffic alert, and even an adaptive cruise control feature that can provide forward collision warning should a potential impact be detected.  This level of equipment is fast becoming a necessary part of the mid-size family car formula, and the Camry finally joins many of its rivals in offering an enhanced level of passenger protection.

09. The 2015 Toyota Camry Will Offer Wireless Charging For Mobile Devices

Not all of the high tech gear found in the 2015 Toyota Camry is aimed at safety.  The new Toyota Camry also offers a wireless charging system for mobile devices for the very first time, an innovative feature that is intended to reduce cable clutter inside the automobile.  Although most iPhone owners will have to make use of a special cradle to benefit from the system, Android and other phones can simply be place on the charging pad in the center console and begin soaking up the electrons.  The charging feature makes use of Qi wireless technology, with a list of Qi-compatible phones available online.

10. The 2015 Toyota Camry Joins A Class Of Recently-Refreshed Rivals

The 2015 Toyota Camry isn't the only all-new mid-size sedan in town.  Joining the Toyota Camry on the new-for-2015 list are the Subaru Legacy and the Hyundai Sonata.  Although the all-wheel drive Legacy has long been a bit player in this segment, its recent refresh gives it more mainstream appeal than ever before.  On the other side of the equation the Sonata has eaten into Camry sales for nearly three years, and Hyundai is hoping that the more formidable redesign continues that trend.  The Camry is on the defensive in an area of the market it once owned outright, which is good news for families currently shopping for a great four-door car.