Released in 1982 as a full-size sedan to complement the more compact Corolla, the Toyota Camry has been one of the world’s most popular cars ever since. With its stylish exterior, affordable pricing, great fuel economy, and track record of high performance, the Camry has a lot to offer.
Despite its popularity, the Camry doesn’t quite crack the list of the top-ten bestselling cars here in Canada. But don’t let that deter you. Toyota’s Camry has returned to form with an exciting lineup, an unrivalled build quality, and a continued focus on safety.
What Is the 2021 Toyota Camry?
Although pretty similar to the 2020 model, the 2021 Camry does offer some minor but tasteful changes. Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?
The most noticeable differences are exterior. The 2021 model has a redesigned front end and additional wheel and paint-color options. But what’s on the inside is what counts. The new Camry comes with an upgraded infotainment system and new touchscreens to enhance connectivity. And the interiors of the higher-priced trims are more luxurious than ever.
All of the trim levels from the 2020 model year return this year except the L model. So now, the LE and SE models constitute the lower-tiered trim levels, while the XLE and XSE are their more luxurious counterparts. Thankfully, Toyota has kept the TRD model in the Camry line-up. So if you want to enjoy some really spirited driving, you can still get that 301-horsepower V6 engine.
What Is Under the Hood of the 2021 Toyota Camry?
Toyota offers the 2021 Camry in six different trim levels. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine comes standard in nearly all of them, and they all still have front-wheel drive. The Hybrid Camry has an electric motor working in conjunction with the standard four-cylinder engine, and the performance-enhanced TRD model has the upgraded V6 engine.
Here’s a list of the six Camry trim levels and the engines they come with:
|
Trim Level |
Engine |
|
LE |
2.5 L 4-cylinder, 202 hp, and 182 lb-ft torque |
|
SE |
2.5 L 4-cylinder, 202 hp, and 182 lb-ft torque |
|
Hybrid* |
2.5 L 4-cylinder, 208 hp, and 163 lb-ft torque |
|
XLE |
2.5 L 4-cylinder, 202 hp, and 182 lb-ft torque |
|
XSE |
2.5 L 4-cylinder, 205 hp, and 185 lb-ft torque |
|
TRD |
3.5 L V6, 301 hp, and 267 lb-ft torque |
Note: Hybrid models have an electric motor in conjunction with the 4-cylinder engine.
What Is the Interior of the 2021 Toyota Camry Like?
Like the top-level XLE, the entry-level SE trim is spacious and comfortable; however, there is a significant difference between the models when it comes to materials. The XLE is downright luxurious, while the entry-level models are a little more spartan. Indeed, the interiors of the top-tier models are so nice that they make the lower-tier models seem a little pedestrian in contrast.
We’re fans of the Camry dashboard’s sweeping curves and updated touchscreen. In our opinion, here Toyota’s exceeded the design of a typical family sedan. It’s good stuff.
What Is the Technology of the 2021 Toyota Camry Like?
To stay at the front of the pack, Toyota has upgraded the infotainment system of the Camry lineup for the 2021 model year. The updated Entune 3.0 system now comes standard in all trim levels. An upgraded version is available as an option in the higher-priced models.
The new infotainment system would be incomplete without an enhanced user interface, so Toyota added new seven-inch or nine-inch touchscreens to the dashboard that respond very well to user input. The systems come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easier than ever to connect while on the road.
The 2021 Camry also comes with many high-tech safety features to make your driving experience smoother and safer.
- Lane tracing and lane keeping assist.
- Forward collision warning and emergency braking.
- Pedestrian sensing.
- A rearview camera.
- Automatic high beams.
- A surround-view camera system to assist with parking.
- Adaptive cruise control.
- Blind-spot monitoring.
- Cross-traffic alert while you are backing up.
Our Take on The 2021 Toyota Camry
We are fans of the new Camry. Toyota didn’t undertake drastic changes this model year; however, we at Car Digest very much appreciate the changes they did make: the new front-end styling, the upgraded infotainment system, and the 300+ horsepower TRD V6 model. These are the kinds of things that make driving fun.
We really like what Toyota did with the interiors of the top trims of the Camry—but the LE and SE models aren’t nearly as differentiated from the competition. Still, the spacious cargo room and the new touchscreens are more than sufficient to compensate.
We’re eager to see what Toyota will do with the Camry in 2022. For now, though, we’re pleased with Toyota’s return to form—its exciting lineup, unrivalled build quality, and focus on safety make the Camry a great choice.
