Toyota performs a major refresh on the bestselling car in America

Pros:

More dynamic styling
Improved interior materials and ergonomics
Even quieter ride

Cons:

Steering improved but still numb on center
Suspension more compliant but could be sharper

2015 Toyota Camry

The numbers

What do you do if you have the best-selling car in America going on twelve years in a row as well as 16 of the past 17 years? We say this because traditional rivals like the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima, have been joined by such newcomers as the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, making competition in the midsize sedan segment fiercer than ever. In any case, a mild refresh might have done the trick.

2015 Toyota Camry

But if you're Toyota and you really want to stay on top, instead of opting for such bits as a new steering wheel as well as front and rear fascias, you find a couple thousand ways to improve the Camry.

You read that correctly. Even though it has sold over a million copies since the current generation launched in 2011 as a 2012 model, Toyota took the previous Camry down to its chassis and, going bumper to bumper and floor to roof, re-engineered nearly 2,000 parts including the body - where only the roof remains unchanged.

2015 Toyota Camry

2015 Toyota Camry

Looking at just the specifications, a number of things on the 2015 Toyota Camry haven't changed, or if they have, not so much. Wheelbase, height and width remain the same, while overall length is up by 1.8 inches. Front and rear track have been increased by 0.4 inches, but all three drivetrains are carryovers – a 178-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (currently chosen by 85 percent of buyers) and a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. The Camry Hybrid powertrain also returns unchanged.

As far as changes go, for starters, the 2015 Camry features two new trim levels.

Noting that the take rate on the sport-oriented SE model currently sits at 45 percent of all Camrys sold, Toyota has upped the ante with a new XSE grade with 18-inch alloy wheels, firmer suspension tuning and luxury features borrowed from the XLE grade.

Also new to the lineup is a new SE Hybrid trim replete with projector-beam headlights, sport mesh grille, 17-inch graphite alloy wheels, rear spoiler, sport-tuned suspension and smoked chrome upper grill and rear trunk trim.

2015 Toyota Camry

Exterior

Outside, the 2015 Camry wears all-new sheetmetal. Along its flanks, a more prominent upper character line makes it look less slab-sided, while the lower character line is more sculpted.

Up front, the new fascia features a large, trapezoidal grille (mesh for SE models, horizontal bars for others) flanked by a pair of deeply-recessed vertical LED DRLs. The headlamp enclosures are narrower and now feature low-beam projector lamps (LEDs on V6 models).

In back, the oddly-shaped tail lamps of yore have been supplanted by more conventional teardrop-shaped units, with a chrome trim strip bridging the gap between them. The lower valance on SE models is now trimmed in gray and tops twin chrome exhaust tips.

2015 Toyota Camry

Interior

Inside, the dual-screen center stack has been axed in favor of a larger single screen flanked by bigger knobs and buttons. The instrument cluster has been cleaned up and now features a matching tach and speedo with a new 4.2-inch TFT screen set between them (on all but the LE gas model).

The new center console offers more storage and there's a new enclosed bin in front of the shifter that offers a 12-volt power port, USB port, and optional wireless charging pad.

2015 Toyota Camry

On the road

Among the myriad changes for 2015 are additional spot welds to the door opening flanges for increased rigidity. Doing this enabled engineers to tune the suspension for more aggressive handling.

The result is a more compliant suspension that features a smoother ride and an even flatter trajectory through corners. Road, tire, wind and engine noise has been reduced even further through the use of improved window and door seals, redesigned side mirrors to better control turbulence and noise and the addition of 30 percent more noise-insulating material in the one-piece carpet.

2015 Toyota Camry

Acceleration, even in four-cylinder models, is brisk, while the brakes provide excellent feel while bringing down the Camry with greater efficiency than a number of vehicles in this class.

In addition to the standard safety fare that includes dual-stage advanced front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags and a driver's and front passenger's knee airbag, the 2015 Camry offers a plethora of optional features. These include a Pre-Collision System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Auto High Beam Lane Departure Alert, and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

2015 Toyota Camry

The Bottom Line

For 2015, the Camry further distances itself from its car-as-appliance roots with a more aggressive exterior and more luxurious interior complimented by a new steering and suspension setup that connects drivers more closely with the road.

Currently Camry owners should be very pleased, while we predict that potential buyers shopping for both style and performance will find that Toyota's legendary quality and reliability no longer means having to settle for less in either of those departments.

2015 Toyota Camry