With the Camry’s 2021 model year, Toyota
is celebrating the nameplate’s largest and most diverse lineup ever, which will
now feature a new XSE Hybrid grade. The other big novelty is that all 2021
Camry models will now feature Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5+ as standard, the
carmaker’s latest driver-assistance technology suite that includes functions
like automatic emergency braking, but more on that later.
There’s also a new floating multimedia
screen in either 7-inch or 9-inch sizes, plus a new herringbone seat pattern on
the XLE grade. Meanwhile, restyled front fascias bring greater distinction
between different Camry grades. You can easily tell the comfort-oriented LE and
XLE variants apart from the sport-oriented SE and XSE models thanks to their
new front fascias. The former feature a more defined lower intake area, with
the gasoline version of the LE grade also debuting a new 17-inch alloy wheel
design – the XLE gets redesigned 18-inch wheels.
The SE and XSE grades feature a bolder
redesigned lower fascia shape, featuring a honeycomb-style grille and side vent
inserts, as well as new side vent accents. Other revisions include a new
Blueprint color replacing Blue Streak Metallic, while a new exclusive color for
the Camry TRD (Ice Edge) is now available with a two-tone Midnight Black
Metallic roof. XSE grades also offer a two-tone Supersonic Red with Midnight
Black Metallic roof combo.
Speaking of the performance-tuned Camry
TRD, the model keeps its aero-enhanced design and now comes standard with Blind
Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (standalone options on LE, SE, and SE
Nightshade), plus heated exterior mirrors. The Camry TRD is equipped
exclusively with a 301 HP 3.5-liter V6 engine, mated to an eight-speed
automatic gearbox with sport mode and paddle shifters. Inside, there are
SofTex-trimmed front seats with red accents and red-stitched TRD embroidered
headrests, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitching and even red
seat belts. Other features include the embossed TRD logo on the shift knob, TRD
floor and trunk mats and a unique TRD gauge meter.
Interior novelties throughout the range
include the previously-mentioned 7- and 9-inch infotainment systems with Amazon
Alexa, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, a revised dash and center
console design and an upgraded infotainment cluster. Toyota’s new Safety Sense
2.5+ system is making its debut on the 2021 Camry, featuring a number of
enhanced functions – such as the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
which can now detect not only the vehicle ahead but also a preceding bicyclist
in the daytime, or even a preceding pedestrian in low light conditions.
The system can also detect oncoming
vehicles or pedestrians when performing a left-hand turn at an intersection,
and may provide audio/visual alerts and automatic braking in certain
conditions. Additional functions include emergency steering assist, full-speed
dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, lane tracing assist,
automatic high beams, road sign assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a blindspot
monitor, and Toyota’s rear seat reminder function, now standard on all 2021
Camrys.
If you’re looking to buy a 2021 Camry, you
can choose between a 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit, a 3.5-liter V6 and a hybrid
option. The 2.5-liter engine features 203 HP and 250 Nm of torque
(206 HP and 186 lb-ft on XSE, which uses a dual-outlet exhaust), while the V6
offers an output of 301 HP and 362 Nm of torque. Both engines are
mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The hybrid system meanwhile combines
the output of the 2.5-liter four-pot with that of an electric motor, while
using that motor as well as a secondary one for hybrid battery charging. Total
system output is 208 HP, channeled to the road via an ECVT transmission.
Also, if you go for an AWD grade, all of
them are available with an optional Cold Weather Package, which adds heated
seats and mirrors on the LE, heated seats, mirrors and steering wheel on the
SE, and a heated steering wheel on the XLE and XSE. This package can also be
had as a standalone option for FWD and hybrid grades.
