The Toyota Camry has been America’s best-selling car for 15of the past 16 years by virtue of providing customers with the ideal combination of spaciousness, value, safety, performance, comfort and reliability in the midsize segment. The new-generation model added a bolder, more sophisticated design into the mix when it debuted for 2012. For 2014, the Camry continues with that appeal, while the Camry Hybrid, which is EPA-rated at 43 city MPG, exemplifies the brand’s worldwide leadership in hybrid vehicle technology and sales.

The 2014 Camry is offered in entry-level L, value-driven LE, premium XLE and sporty SE grades, with a four-cylinder engine on L and LE and a choice of four-cylinder or V6 on SE and XLE. The Camry Hybrid is offered in LE and XLE grades.

Introduced in 1983, the Toyota Camry would establish the template for the modern midsize sedan, setting benchmarks for quality, dependability and reliability (QDR), along with a comfortable, quiet ride.  The Camry passed the 10 millionth sold in the U.S. in June 2013. The 2014 model year also marks Camry’s  30^th anniversary in the Toyota U.S. lineup.
 
Performance and Efficiency
The 2014 Toyota Camry offers three powertrain choices, including a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, a DOHC 3.5-liter V6 and the Hybrid Synergy Drive. The 2.5-liter four produces 178 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of peak torque and, teamed with the standard six-speed automatic transmission, with 25 MPG city / 35 MPG highway EPA fuel economy ratings.

The V6, one of the few offered in the segment, is available in the SE and XLE grades and delivers 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,700 rpm. This engine delivers both exceptional performance and  impressive EPA MPG ratings of 21 city / 31 highway fuel economy ratings. Both Camry gasoline engines employ Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (Dual VVT-i) which controls valve timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts for optimal performance and efficiency at all engine speeds.

The gas-engine LE, XLE and SE models come equipped exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission that offers a sequential manual shift mode using the console shifter.  Intelligent control adapts shifting strategy in response to driver input, with fast kick-down. The Camry SE exclusively offers “D range” sequential shifting, which allows manual shifting with steering wheel paddle shifters even when the console shifter is in the “D” mode. Also exclusive to the Camry SE, the automatic transmission features faster shift times when in “S” mode, along with downshift blipping control to emphasize a sense of sportiness.
 
Camry Hybrid 43 MPG City Rating
With its Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, the 2014 Camry Hybrid LE is rated by the EPA with 43 mpg city/39 mpg highway/41 mpg combined fuel economy. An EV Drive mode allows the driver, under certain conditions,  to operate the Camry Hybrid solely on the electric motor for up to 1.6 miles at lower speeds (below approximately 25 mph). A driver-selectable ECO mode optimizes throttle response and air conditioning output to help prioritize maximum fuel economy. The 2014 Camry Hybrid meets AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial-credit Zero Emissions Vehicle) standards.
           
Through its unique transaxle, the Hybrid Synergy Drive system combines output from the 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and a small high-torque electric motor. The system produces a combined 200 horsepower and varies power between the gas engine and electric motor, or combines both, as needed. A 7.6-second zero-to-60 acceleration time places the Camry Hybrid’s performance between the four-cylinder and V6 models. Lower rolling resistance tires, available for the first time in 17-inch size, also help boost fuel economy.

The Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) system on the intake camshaft enhances torque. An electric water pump, a roller-rocker type valvetrain and a variable-output oil pump help to reduce internal friction, boosting economy. A water-cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system helps to ensure the lowest possible emissions at all vehicle speeds and contributes to fuel efficiency. By cooling and controlling exhaust gas injected into each cylinder, the system eliminates the need to richen the air-fuel mixture to control cylinder temperatures.

In pursuit of ultimate efficiency, there are situations in which the gas engine in the Camry Hybrid shuts off for electric propulsion, and air conditioning and power steering systems are driven electrically. The proven nickel-metal-hydride battery, located in the trunk area, features enhanced air-cooling. Its compact size, along with locating the DC/DC converter within the engine compartment, results in a trunk that is 2.1-cubic feet larger than in the previous-generation Camry Hybrid.

Regenerative braking in the Camry Hybrid converts the electric motor to a generator that captures the kinetic energy from the still-turning wheels when the brake is applied, storing it in the hybrid battery pack. Putting the shifter into “B” uses the system as a form of engine braking for enhanced control on steep descents. Hill-start assist control helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting off on an incline when the brake pedal is released.

A Hybrid-exclusive instrument cluster with Hybrid System Indicator and fuel consumption indicator helps the driver to operate the car as economically as possible. Instantaneous fuel economy is shown with LEDs (light emitting diodes) around the outside of the average fuel economy gauge. The car’s Multi-Information display graphically shows fuel economy in real time and can also show energy flow and cruising range information.

Hybrid-exclusive trim is used on the instrument panel and door switch bases, upper console panels and shift knob. The Camry Hybrid also features its own exclusive seat fabric in ivory or light gray, and an exclusive leather-trimmed and Ultrasuede® is also available.

Exterior Design
The new-generation Camry employs an elegantly simple but modern form, emphasizing a wide, lower stance than previous models. The LE and XLE feature additional exterior chrome trim, and the SE grade has its own lower-body design, fine-mesh upper grille section and integrated trunk spoiler. Fog lights are standard on the XLE and SE grades. The SE also is distinguished by a three-part lower grille section housing fog lamps, along with black sport trim headlamp bezels.

Interior Design
The Camry interior emphasizes spaciousness and comfort. Soft textures used on the upper instrument panel, upper door trim, door panels, armrests, and center console armrest contribute to refined comfort in the Camry. Stitching on the instrument panel soft padding and matching stitching-look trim elsewhere helps to create a sense of luxury. Aluminum-color and chrome trim are used judiciously.

Seat comfort remains a Camry strong suit, with this new-generation model using higher seat backs and longer seat cushions for optimal passenger comfort. The SE’s sporty front seats provide thicker, more supportive side bolsters, and the SE also exclusively uses a three-spoke steering wheel.

The 2014 Camry offers four seat-covering materials: fabric in the LE and XLE; fabric with SofTex™ trim in the SE, standard leather trim on the XLE V6 (optional in the XLE four-cylinder), and Ultrasuede® with leather available for the SE and Hybrid XLE. Heated seats are standard on the XLE V6 and are available for SE, XLE four-cylinder and Hybrid with variable temperature control. Steering wheels in all but the L model feature integrated audio and Bluetooth® controls.

All grades feature a standard 60/40 split folding rear seatback to expand cargo capacity, along with a center armrest with cup holders. Toyota made this generation Camry its quietest-ever, with a combination of additional insulation placed in areas where such noticeable sounds might enter the cabin. In particular, engineers focused on suppressing noises that are near the frequencies of human speech to provide an environment that is more comfortable for conversation.

Advanced Connectivity, More Music Choices
All 2014 Camry models feature a standard Bluetooth® wireless connection for compatible hands-free phone calls, and a phone book transfer function is available. A standard USB port allows playing music and video from portable audio devices, using the vehicle sound system and available in-dash display screen, and includes full iPod® integration.

The Camry L and Camry Hybrid LE models feature the Display Audio 6.1-inch screen. On the Hybrid, the screen also displays the energy monitor and fuel consumption data. On models with the available integrated back-up camera, the display functions as the monitor. The screen also offers a new value-driven navigation system and serves as a portal for Entune®, Toyota’s innovative multimedia system.  The available HD Radio system includes iTunes® tagging and SiriusXM Satellite Radio™.

The top-of-the-line audio is equipped with a seven-inch Premium HDD Navigation system with Entune® and JBL GreenEdge™ audio system. The system’s split-screen can simultaneously display navigation and audio information. The GreenEdge™ eight-channel amplifier is lighter and produces higher sound output than conventional amplifiers while consuming less energy.
 
Entune Multimedia System
The available Entune multimedia system leverages the user’s smartphone to provide a richer in-vehicle experience with fully integrated access to navigation, entertainment and information services.

Toyota Entune offers support for mobile apps, such as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com, along with accessing useful travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks and sports.  Entune brings an immense selection of music options into the vehicle, including iHeartRadio’s 750+ stations and Pandora’s personalized music service.

The audio systems combined with Entune feature an, advanced conversational voice recognition system that helps the driver to stay focused on the road by eliminating the need to memorize thousands of voice commands. Certain systems also allow for audio read-back and replay capabilities for text messages, with the ability to respond by pre-set “Quick Reply Messages” such as: “I’m driving and will reply later.”
 
Exceptional Handling and Ride Balance
In use since the 2012 modely year, Camry’s rigid body structure uses a greater amount of high tensile steel (440 Mpa or higher) than the previous model and even stronger high tensile strength sheet steel (590 Mpa or higher). The McPherson-strut front suspension and proven dual-link rear suspension were tuned to give this generation Camry superior straight-line stability and crisper steering response, while also enhancing overall ride comfort.

The Camry SE features specific suspension components and tuning, including exclusive steering knuckles and lighter, stiffer lower front control arms. The LE grade has 16-inch wheels; the SE and XLE come standard with five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels (different styles), and the V6 SE offers the first 18-inch alloy wheels on a Camry. Camry SE models also offer higher-grip tires.

Camry’s electric power steering (EPS) control system regulates power-assist response based on vehicle speed and steering-input rate, providing light effort during low speeds and  changing to moderate effort at higher speeds.  A different power-assist ratio for the SE grade provides a more sporty feeling than the LE and XLE.  With electric power steering, electricity is only consumed when assist is necessary, helping to improve fuel economy. Electric power steering is also more environment-advanced, as it does not require hydraulic fluid.
 
Safety and Security
All 2014 Camry models are equipped with 10 standard airbags: dual-stage advanced SRS front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags and a driver’s and front passenger’s knee airbag.

The Camry’s body structure is designed to help absorb collision-impact forces and help minimize impact deformation to the passenger cabin. High-strength steel is used for B-pillar and rocker panel reinforcements to help manage overall body deformation in the event of certain side collisions. The seat frames also are designed to help absorb side collision loads. The inner-hood structure and front-edge construction are designed to help reduce pedestrian injuries in certain types of frontal collisions.

Toyota’s Star Safety System™ includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. It also features the Smart Stop Technology brake-override system, and Camry is equipped with an electronic tire pressure monitoring system.

The available Blind Spot Monitor uses sub-millimeter wave radar to detect vehicles in the driver’s blind spots. If the turn signal is on when the there is a vehicle in the blind spot of the driver’s intended lane, the indicator on the corresponding mirror will flash. The system incorporates a rear cross traffic alert, which can be especially helpful when backing out of a driveway or parking slot.

In vehicles equipped with one of the display audio systems and backup camera, when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, the audio display screen shows the image of what the camera captures, along with an overlay of positioning lines representing the parking space and distance to obstacles.

Another available safety system, Safety Connect, can access a call center with a live operator who can dispatch police and emergency vehicles.  The system combines automatic collision notification and a stolen vehicle locator feature, which can track the location of the car via GPS and help guide police to recover it.
 
Peace of Mind Warranty Protection
Toyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and against corrosion with no mileage limitation. The hybrid-related components, including the HV battery, battery control module, hybrid control module and inverter with converter, are covered for eight years/100,000 miles.

Standard Toyota Care is a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.