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ENTUNE

On the Road With the Family Toyota Camry

March 20, 2015 by admin 8 Comments

America’s best selling car model holds tight to its lead. A V-6 option adds performance, although it lacks the handling characteristics of a sports sedan. The 2015 Toyota Camry has an appealing visage and offers a model for a variety of shoppers, including an available hybrid edition.

2015 Toyota Camry

2015 Toyota XSE with a V-6 package.

Back in the 1990s, Toyota marketed its midsize sedan as the “Family Camry.” The automaker featured spots about people who owned not just one, not two, but usually three or four of these models, passing older copies to their children when they reached driving age. A number of those older models had high mileage, but seemed new, attesting to the sedan’s durability. Or so it went.

That marketing plan may have helped Toyota move to the top rung amongst passenger cars, a position it has held nearly every year this millennium. And just when Toyota seems as if they may lose ground to arch-rivals such as the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and the Ford Fusion, the company introduces a new model.

2015 Toyota Camry

Seventh Generation Toyota Camry

Indeed, the current iteration made its debut in 2012, marking the start of the seventh generation of this five-passenger, front-wheel-drive sedan. And to ensure that it holds the top spot for at least the short term, Toyota rushed a mid-cycle refresh to the market just two years later to counter updates made to some of its chief competitors. Never fear, the Toyota Camry has tightened its lock on the top spot and seems assured to hold on until the next generation model appears, probably in 2018.

It is true that some people hate the Camry and probably a host of other Toyota products. Much of that antipathy has to do with austere styling, something Toyota has been moving away from in recent years. Granted, the haters aren’t likely to be impressed by the Camry’s reliability and high residual values — they want newfangled styling above all else.

2015 Toyota Camry


2015 Toyota Camry

View manufacturer details and pricing


2015 Toyota Camry

Flair and Distinction Added

Well, the current Camry has a certain flair to it that was not available previously. Indeed, Toyota now incorporates its own version of the Lexus spindle grille with a distinctive front fascia featuring a piano black grille, wraparound headlamps and crescent LED daytime running lights set within deep grooves. It is a more daring design, something you would expect to find in a Ford Fusion or a Hyundai Sonata.

From front to back the current Camry has an athletic stance punctuated by wrap around tail lamps and LED lights to the rear and dual exhaust ports. Looks wise, this sedan is a significant improvement over the previous generation model and the choice of colors and wheels simply enhances that vibe.

What has not changed for the Toyota Camry is its powertrain offerings. Yes, in recent years the manual transmission was dropped and the automatic transmission now has six forward gears. But the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 178-horsepower returns as well as the optional 3.5-liter V-6 rated at 268 horsepower.

2015 Toyota Camry

V-6 With Torque Steer

The four-cylinder engine is standard across the model line and is the only engine available in the LE and SE editions. Both the XLE and the XSE provide a V-6 option, a $5,200 upgrade that brings in a host of other features. My test model was a 2015 Toyota Camry XSE with the V-6 engine.

I have driven Toyotas equipped with either the four-cylinder or the V-6, and can say that there is a world of difference between the two. That Toyota continues to offer a V-6 in a segment that is largely dominated by naturally-aspirated and turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engines is important to note. That this same engine is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway may appeal to people who place an emphasis on performance, but still want good fuel economy.

When you start the V-6 Camry and shift the transmission into gear — hold on tight. Torque steer (understeer) is evident with the front wheels wanting to shift to the left or to the right as copious amounts of power is suddenly delivered. Certainly, if torque vectoring control is present, I didn’t sense it — I knew that a sudden press on the accelerator would cause the tires to squeal, signaling me to tighten my grip on the steering wheel.

Once you are on the road, you can shift the transmission into manual mode and work the stick or the paddle shifters. That is, if clutchless shifting is your desire. In the Camry, you don’t operate the paddles, rather the buttons located on the back of the steering wheel adjacent to those paddles. Initially, I sensed that the paddles were disconnected as I pressed on each one — I finally figured out that there were buttons present and made my adjustment.

If you have a need for speed, the V-6 Camry will not disappoint. In fact, be prepared to travel from 0 to 60 mph in just under six seconds. The sport suspension ups the handling quotient, but steering seems sluggish with little feedback. As for the “sport” in sport suspension, let’s just say that Toyota hardly strayed from the comfort mode there.

2015 Toyota Camry

Cabin by Lexus?

Inside, its seems as if Lexus’ designers were all over the cabin. The Camry XSE is dressed in black leather with red stitching across the seats, around the steering wheel, on door inlays, across the dashboard and on the center console. The seats are supportive and I incurred no fatigue, even following hours of driving. Between the 8-way power adjustment and lumbar support as well as the tilt and telescoping steering wheel column, you can find the ideal driving position.

The rest of the cabin is covered in soft touch materials, aluminum trim and wherever plastic is used it is of the hardened variety. That’s what you obtain in a Camry priced in the mid-30s. Yes, at that price point you may begin to look at the rear-wheel drive Lexus IS. If you do, go with the larger V-6 and you won’t be disappointed. Just saying.

If you are a rear seated passenger in the 2015 Toyota Camry, be encouraged: there is ample room for three adults. Then again, the 60-40 split-folding bench seat offers a tempting middle armrest that provides the requisite two cup holders. Here, you might want to convince one passenger to ride with elsewhere.

Standard across the Camry line is air conditioning, power accessories, Bluetooth connectivity, an illuminated glove box, an overhead console with sunglasses holder, two 12-volt auxiliary power outlets, four cup holders and four in-door drink holders. The XSE V-6 edition upgrades the instrument panel, adds in the sporty front seats, and also provides an automatic dimming rearview mirror, a Homeline transceiver, and dual-zone climate control.

The Toyota Camry offers a fairly soft ride, but interior noise is average — I kept hearing wind noise intruding — it seemed to come in at the front of the driver and front passenger windows.

Thankfully, Toyota’s Entune infotainment system is one of the preferable ones on the market. You can sync your phone, access the available App Suite and plug-in navigation commands without much drama. As tested, the Camry XSE has several upgrades that enhance the ownership experience, including remote start ($499), a technology package with lane departure warning and dynamic radar cruise control ($750), an upgraded Entune audio package with JBL audio ($805), blind spot monitor ($500) and illuminated door sills ($299). Special floor mats ($325) and a unique paint finish ($395) were also included.

2015 Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry Considerations

Although the latest iteration of the Toyota Camry offers a styling improvement, likely the sedan won’t conquest sport sedan drivers from different brands. Instead, it should keep loyal Camry owners in the fold, especially those who may have been looking at competing eye candy and were considering making the jump.

Besides improving the handling, there are two changes on my Camry wish list, both not likely to be adopted any time soon. First, let’s stick a turbocharged engine under the hood. Toyota Motors has been a laggard in that department, but now has a 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbo powering the all-new Lexus NX. Second, an all-wheel drive variant would be ideal — the Subaru Legacy is all-wheel drive only; the Ford Fusion and Chrysler 200 offer that option.

To sum up, I believe that a turbo has a much greater chance of appearing down the road, but all-wheel drive isn’t likely. After all, when people are already pleased with the product you deliver, certain engineering changes and options are not likely to bring in the additional customers.

2015 Toyota Camry


2015 Toyota Camry

  • Sticker price from $22,970 (base model)
  • Sticker price from $31,370 (XSE model)
  • Price as tested: from $35,768 (XSE model)
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • 3.5-liter 24-valve V-6 gasoline engine
  • 268 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
  • 248 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,700 rpm
  • 3.70 inches bore by 3.27 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 10.8-to-1
  • Six-speed automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
  • Length: 190.9 inches
  • Width: 71.7 inches
  • Height: 57.9 inches
  • Passenger volume: 102.7 cubic feet
  • Storage volume: 15.4 cubic feet
  • Towing capacity: NA
  • EPA: 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway (AWD)
  • Regular grade gasoline required
  • Fuel tank: 17 gallons
  • Curb weight: From 3,480 pounds
  • IIHS safety rating: Top Safety Pick+
  • Limited vehicle warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Corrosion warranty: 5 years/Unlimited
  • Vehicle assembly: Georgetown, Kentucky

Additional Car Reviews

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2015 CARS, ENTUNE, Ford Fusion, front-wheel drive, Hyundai Sonata, Lexus, navigation, Toyota Camry, V-6 ENGINE

Out and About With the Toyota Highlander

March 18, 2015 by admin 7 Comments

Toyota is well represented in the midsize sport utility vehicle segment. Its seven-passenger Highlander is a crossover model, based on a car platform and offering the body rigidity and handling these types of vehicles are best known for. Four trim levels are available; standard front-wheel drive can be upgraded to all-wheel drive.

2015 Toyota Highlander

2015 Toyota Highlander.

The utility vehicle market continues to expand as customers shift from sedans and coupes to crossover utility vehicles mostly. In the midst of that transition, Toyota has been culling its offerings, by canceling the FJ Cruiser in 2014 and the Venza after 2015.

That contraction may seem counterintuitive, but when you have the RAV4 (compact), Highlander and 4Runner (midsize) and Sequoia and Land Rover (large) also in place, the overlapping models are best removed from this packed line up. Besides, me thinks that Toyota is looking at the subcompact range to slot in a model beneath the RAV4 to compete against the likes of the Honda HR-V, Chevrolet Trax and Jeep Renegade. I digress.

2015 Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander is all new as of 2014 and I’ve had the pleasure of driving several permutations of the same in the past year, beginning at a local press drive in Charleston, South Carolina, followed by a press fleet visitor a few months later. This time around it was a Toyota Highlander Limited edition, the top-of-the-line model with standard front-wheel drive, available all-wheel drive and seating for seven.

The 2015 Toyota Highlander has some stiff competition facing down, including the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder and Dodge Durango. These kinds of crossover utility vehicles seat seven (or eight in the case of the Pilot), offer V-6 power and are priced from about $30,000. The top-of-the-line editions can cost as much as $45,000 — or more than $52,000 in the case of the Ford Explorer Platinum edition. However, the sweet spot is somewhere around $40,000 for a nicely optioned model with navigation and all-wheel drive.

Toyota prices the 2015 Highlander from $29,665 and offers it in LE, LE Plus, XLE and Limited editions. Please allow me to cut right to the chase: the base model is the only one with a four-cylinder engine, a 2.7-liter power plant that makes 185 horsepower and has 1,500 pounds of towing capacity. Moreover, it also achieves 25 mpg on the highway, the same as the front-wheel drive V-6 edition. Available in front-wheel drive only, there is really no reason to consider this model. Anyway, it is doubtful that you will find more than a token one or two models when visiting dealer lots, so skip the four.

2015 Toyota Highlander


2015 Toyota Highlander

View manufacturer details and pricing


2015 Toyota Highlander

Larger Engine and All-Wheel Drive

The V-6 is what you want, especially if towing is important to you. This model pulls 2,000 pounds or up to 5,000 pounds with the XLE and Limited editions. The sweet spot here may be the Highlander XLE all-wheel-drive, what comes with navigation, leather, heated front seats and is priced from $37,700. Add in the family-friendly Blu-Ray rear entertainment system ($1,810) and your final price comes in at $39,510. Sweet spot, indeed!

The 3.5-liter V-6 is Toyota’s “go to” six as it is found in a host of Toyota and Lexus products. Furthermore, I’ve taken delivery of Toyota Camry, Avalon, 4Runner and FJ Cruiser models so equipped as well as Lexus ES and IS sedans. Normally aspirated, this engine offers excellent off the mark acceleration and delivers generous amounts of power as you approach highway speeds and beyond.

I am no fan of front-wheel drive when it comes to larger vehicles such as the Highlander. Notably, this model weighs in at about 4,500 pounds and torque steer is noticeable, but effectively mitigated with all-wheel drive. Choose all-wheel drive and the handling quotient improves dramatically. All Highlander models feature electric power steering, a power supported rack-and-pinion arrangement. Toyota makes use of independent MacPherson struts up front and a double-wishbone suspension at the rear. Front and rear stabilizer bars aid in the handling department.

Seating for seven should not be taken as seating for seven adults. Sure, the rear seat can hold two grown ups, but it is best left for children, especially youngsters in car seats. Embark on any trip of consequence and that rear seat will seem like a penalty box for adults. That’s a characteristic of all three-row midsize utility vehicles, not just Toyota.

2015 Toyota Highlander

Storage Compartments Galore

Where this model truly shines is in the storage compartment arena. Specifically, all the little slots, cubbies, nooks and crannies that are peculiar to this segment. Let’s begin by looking at the drink holders: you get 12, including eight cup holders and four in-door storage compartments. Further, Toyota supplies an overhead storage console for sunglasses storage, in-door pockets, seat back pockets, and a covered storage compartment/armrest up front.

That covered compartment up front is the largest one I have seen in this segment. Although it doesn’t have the cooling feature that would make it especially interesting, it can hold dozens of soda can-sized drinks for your trip. Moreover, it opens from the center for ease of access.

Another storage compartment that will catch your eye is located at the base of the dashboard, and runs from the center console to the passenger door. It is the ideal place to charge your electronic devices with a pass through to the connection points at the base of the console. You can also fill that area with snacks and still have significant room left over. My only warning here is that it also invites clutter — I can imagine parents with young children will fill it with toys, wipes and other odds and ends for convenience.

2015 Toyota Highlander

Toyota Entune and Navigation

Much has been made about infotainment systems and car manufacturers in recent years. They are a chief complaint by consumers for a variety of reasons, including comprehension, stability, sensibility and connectivity.

Like many drivers I have a love/hate relationship with them. Typically, I’ll plug in directions, but I’ll give up configuring if there are too many steps to take. Indeed, I am much more familiar with the directions my smartphone delivers and if a car’s infotainment system is too complicated, I don’t bother. Frustration? Oh, yeah!

Toyota’s Entune system seems easier to work with and it comes with an App Suite — Bing, iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable, Pandora, Saved Destinations, Facebook Places and Yelp. Further, you can check sports scores, stocks and access a fuel guide. Here, you would pair your smartphone to access these apps to extend its usefulness.

Entune also operates by voice command, but I am a hands-on guy so pushing the buttons to get what I want works best for me. Those buttons are located on the screen, with auxiliary access on the steering wheel to minimize distracting driving. For the record, my smartphone automatically paired most of the time, although there were occasions when it cuts off. However, that my cord got tangled in the process may explain at least some of the quirkiness.

2015 Toyota Highlander

Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum

My test model replaced the second row bench seat with two captain’s chairs, what loses one seating position, but provides excellent leg, hip and shoulder room instead. It also comes with a folding side table with cup holders for two — this arrangement is a factory option with the XLE edition and is standard on the Limited edition.

Speaking of the Limited edition, you gain access to two packages beyond the Blu-ray DVD entertainment system — driver technology and platinum packages. The driver technology package features a pre-collision system with dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure warning and automatic high-beam headlights.

The platinum package comprises the driver technology package and brings in a heated steering wheel, a panoramic moonroof, and the captain’s chairs. Toyota prices the Limited Platinum package from $42,330 (FWD) and $43,790 (AWD).

2015 Toyota Highlander

Yesterday’s Wagon, Today’s Crossover

Today’s Toyota Highlander reminds me of yesterday’s station wagon or more to the point the wagons my family had when I was growing up way back when. I don’t see that in a bad way either. Indeed, just as families in the 1960s gravitated to the most useful kid-friendly vehicles of that era, crossovers such as the Highlander now serve that purpose, but with all the safety, technological and drivetrain features that were unheard of at the time.

2015 Toyota Highlander


2015 Toyota Highlander

  • Sticker price from $29,665 (base model)
  • Sticker price from $39,840 (Limited FWD model)
  • Price as tested: from $42,000 (Limited edition)
  • Seats 7 occupants
  • 3.5-liter 24-valve V-6 gasoline engine
  • 270 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
  • 248 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,700 rpm
  • 3.70 inches bore by 3.27 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 10.8-to-1
  • Six-speed automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 109.8 inches
  • Length: 191.1 inches
  • Width: 75.8 inches
  • Height: 68.1 inches
  • Passenger volume: 154 cubic feet
  • Storage volume: 13.8/42.0/82.6 cubic feet
  • Towing capacity: 1,500 to 5,000 pounds
  • EPA: 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway (AWD)
  • Regular grade gasoline required
  • Fuel tank: 19.2 gallons
  • Curb weight: From 4,354 pounds
  • IIHS safety rating: Top Safety Pick+
  • Limited vehicle warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Corrosion warranty: 5 years/Unlimited
  • Vehicle assembly: Princeton, Indiana

See Also — Iconic SUV: 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser


2015 Toyota Highlander photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2015 CARS, all-wheel drive, crossover, ENTUNE, SUV, TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Reinvigorated: 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid

December 30, 2014 by admin 1 Comment

Rapidly falling gas prices will squeeze Camry Hybrid sales.

2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Through 2014, the Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car model in America, outpacing the likes of the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and its own compact sibling, the Toyota Corolla. Sales of the standard-bearer Camry routinely top 400,000 units per year, keeping this front-wheel-drive midsize sedan securely on top of its segment each year.

Toyota, moreover, has seen that Camry competition is growing with the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Volkswagen Passat, Subaru Legacy and Chevrolet Malibu among the other models clamoring for sales. In 2012, Toyota released the seventh generation Camry, but for 2015 it made a significant refresh in response to more recent changes made by its competitors.

The current iteration is its most stylish one yet and although it hardly offers the driving dynamics found in some other segments, it delivers a look, value and dependability shoppers expect. My test drive of a 2015 Toyota Camry was with its hybrid version, itself a sporty and attractive four-door model.

2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Steadily Falling Fuel Prices

Before I press on with the hybrid’s review, it bears mentioning that fuel prices have been steadily falling over the past three months, dropping below $2 per gallon in some locations. Car manufacturers that have invested billions of dollars in electric vehicle technology will soon see already tepid demand for all types of EVs fall even further.

Concerns raised by industry experts such as Chris Knittel, a professor of energy economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, point to slow sales ahead. Knittel told the Los Angeles Times, “Low gas prices can undo the progress we’ve made in green technology.” Further, he noted that companies have less of an incentive to pour their monies into new technologies, while consumers look elsewhere.

2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The Revised Look

Take one look at any Camry — standard or hybrid — and it is evident that its design has been refreshed inside and out.

Its face mirrors the recent changes made to other models, including the compact Corolla and large Avalon sedans, with a trapezoidal grille topped by a distinctive horizontal bar. Hood creasing, boomerang LED lights and sleek headlights combine to give this model a sportier persona. The sedan’s profile characteristics, choice of wheels, wrap-around tail lamps and exhaust ports each contributes to the sedan’s sportier flair.

Cabin Features

Inside, the cabin seems and is more refined. The familiar upper dash is in place, but everything else has been changed.

The hybrid’s instrument panel is dominated by a pair of analog displays — on the left is a hybrid power read out, what replaces the traditional tachometer — to the right is a speedometer. In the center is a digital driver’s information center, customizable to display vehicle, infotainment or navigation information.

The center console is marked by a six-inch display, with buttons and switches surrounding same. Most Camry models offer some version of Toyota’s Entune infotainment system with available navigation. The screen displays navigation, audio and climate information and also provides such apps as Yelp guides and Pandora radio.

Beneath the display in the Hybrid SE are the dual-zone climate controls, a covered storage compartment, the transmission stick and two cup holders. Between the seats are switches to put the sedan in Eco or EV mode, the latter functioning at crawling speeds.

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Overall, the interior look features a good amount of soft touch materials, stitching and bright work trim. The seats in the test model are made of SofTex, a synthetic material that looks and feels like leather. Toyota says that it weighs half as much as regular leather and is easier to clean. Importantly, no animal-based materials were used in the production of these seats.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid offers seating for five — two bucket seats up front and a split bench seat to the rear. The driver’s seat offers 8-way power adjustment with lumbar support; the front passenger has 4-way support.

The rear seat folds down and offers a center armrest with cup holders and a pass through to the trunk. There is ample room for three adults in the back with sufficient amounts of head, shoulder and leg room present.

The driver’s seat is comfortable, offering ample support and very good head, shoulder and leg room. The leather-wrapped tilt and telescopic steering wheel has audio and Bluetooth hands-free phone controls. An overhead console with map lights and sunglasses storage, a covered center console with storage, an illuminated glove box and in-door storage with bottle holders are at the ready.

This model also comes with power accessories, a backup camera, cruise control, a pair of 12-volt auxiliary power outlets, four cup holders, four bottle holders, and 10 airbags. The exterior includes a sport mesh front grille, projector-beam halogen headlights, a color-keyed rear spoiler and a smoked chrome upper grille. SE Hybrid models also bring in a sport-tuned suspension.


2015 Toyota Camry SE Hybrid

View manufacturer details and pricing


Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota outfits its hybrid Camrys with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and pairs it with a continuously variable transmission. Also at work is a nickel-metal hydride battery pack that stores energy created by the electric motor and regenerative braking. Combined, the engine and electric motor make 200 horsepower and 199 foot-pounds of torque. If you are not familiar with hybrids, the sedan’s net power is comparable to a gas-powered model.

Importantly, the hybrid is rated at 40 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. Alternatively, the hybrid’s fuel economy should be compared to the 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway achieved by the base gas-powered model.

Turn this hybrid on and you’ll be met with silence. Keep your eyes on the dashboard as it provides the information you need to know whether this sedan is on or not. Shift into drive, step on the accelerator and more than likely the gas engine will kick in, especially as you put the pedal to the metal.

Not once while I was driving the Camry Hybrid did I feel as if power was lacking. Toyota’s hybrid system shifts seamlessly between gas and electric power, and is especially vigorous on the open road.

This model is equipped with electric power steering and has ventilated disc brakes up front and solid disc brakes to the rear. Handling isn’t particularly involving, but it is hardly numb either. Its braking is as good as you will find among other sedans in this segment.

All models come equipped with a long list of standard safety features. Besides the 10 airbags, you will find: stability control, traction control, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution and smart stop technology. Choose the XLE Hybrid and your model comes with a blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert. The advanced technology package brings in a pre-collision system, lane departure alert, dynamic radar cruise control and automatic high beams.

And if advanced technology is important to you, then the available Qi wireless charging option may be worth a look. Place your smartphone in the eBin storage tray and this $75 accessory will keep it fully charged.

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Parting Thoughts

If you are going to look elsewhere for a new sedan, then the standard gas-powered Camry is a good place to begin. The base Camry is priced from $22,970, although a fully-equipped model will set you back by more than $33,000.

Toyota prices the Hybrid LE from $26,790, the Hybrid SE from $27,995 and the Hybrid XLE from $29,980. Choose a top-of-the line hybrid and add in such features as an advanced technology package ($750), diamond cut face alloy wheels with Michelin tires ($1,529) and an Entune Premium JBL audio system with navigation ($1,490) and your price will come in around $33,749.

So, if you really want a hybrid and prefer a well-dressed sedan, your final price will come in at just $750 more than a comparably equipped Camry with an optional V-6 engine. Me thinks that you will also have more wiggle room at the dealership, especially if corporate slaps extra incentives for this model in a bid to stoke sales. It is a buyer’s market for hybrids and scoring a very good deal should be within your reach.

2015 Toyota Camry SE Hybrid

  • Sticker price from $27,995
  • Price as tested: from $32,000 (estimated)
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • 2.5-liter 16-valve four-cylinder gasoline engine
  • 156 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm
  • 156 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,500 rpm
  • Net 200 horsepower; 199 foot-pounds
  • 3.54 inches bore by 3.86 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 12:5-to-1
  • Continuously variable automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
  • Length: 190.9 inches
  • Width: 71.7 inches
  • Height: 57.9 inches
  • Passenger volume: 102.7 cubic feet
  • Storage volume: 13.1 cubic feet
  • Towing capacity: Not rated
  • EPA: 40 mpg city, 38 mpg highway
  • Regular grade gasoline
  • Fuel tank: 17 gallons
  • Curb weight: From 3,565 pounds
  • IIHS safety rating: Top Safety Pick+
  • Limited vehicle warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Corrosion warranty: 5 years, unlimited miles
  • Hybrid warranty: 8 years, 100,000 miles
  • Vehicle assembly: Georgetown, Kentucky

More Car Reviews

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Executive Sedan: 2015 Volvo S60 T6 Drive-E

Hot Hatch: Ford Fiesta ST

Professional Grade: 2015 GMC Sierra Denali 2500 HD


2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2015 CARS, ENTUNE, four-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive, HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES, HYBRIDS, sedan, Toyota, TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID

2014 Toyota Corolla: Best Bang for the Buck?

March 14, 2014 by admin 8 Comments

Small sedan provides big value.

2014 Toyota Corolla.
2014 Toyota Corolla.

The Toyota Corolla may offer the best bang for the buck, a five passenger front-wheel drive sedan that can be had for under $20,000. Corolla is the best selling vehicle of all time, a compact model that competes against the Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, and several other models.

The 2014 Corolla is all-new, the current iteration of a model that routinely tops 1 million vehicles sold annually with about one-third that number in the United States alone. Where the Toyota Camry leads the midsize segment ahead of the Honda Accord, it is the Honda Civic that outsells the Corolla in the compact segment.

Four Corolla Models

You can choose one of four Corolla models: L ($16,800), LE ($18,300), LE Eco ($18,700) and S ($19,000). The price points that Toyota has chosen means that most buyers will likely consider everything but the L, equipped with a 6-speed manual or an aged 4-speed automatic transmission. That base automatic transmission is clearly outdated as well as outpaced by rivals offering six-speed automatics. With Toyota, there is a method in all this madness: the L is simply the fleet special.

My week with a 2014 Toyota Corolla LE Eco followed a Sept. 2013 regional release of the new model at a press event in Miami. While there, I gave all four models a quick drive, posting my first impressions while also knowing that a more thorough drive was necessary.

Introducing Valvematic Technology

And that drive came five months later in a car rated at 30 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway. To achieve its best in model range fuel economy, Toyota tweaked its trusty 1.8-liter four cylinder bringing in what the automaker calls valvematic technology to boost horsepower and increase overall efficiency.

With valvematic, engine speed is controlled by varying the opening height of the intake valves. The change results in an 8 horsepower boost and an increase in fuel economy by about 10 percent. Why Toyota doesn’t offer this engine across the model line is a curious omission me thinks that it will do so in future model years.

New Exterior Design

Among the significant changes with the 2014 edition is, well, everything. The front fascia loses its plain look for a much more sportier presence including a large air intake. LED headlamps and daytime running lights are standard; integrated fog lamps are included except with the Corolla L. Choose the Corolla S and a chrome grille with a piano-black insert is included.

The current Toyota Corolla also features sportier lines and side body sculpting. Less dramatic changes were made to the rear, although the tail lights are sportier and the overall form has improved.

What may pleasantly surprise Corolla fans are this vehicles dimensions. The wheelbase has been stretched from 102.4 inches to 106.3 inches, its overall length from 180 to 183.1 inches. Much of that gain shows up in the rear seat, offering 42.3 inches of legroom, up from 36.3 inches previously. That new number beats what some midsize sedans offer and nearly matches the dimensions of the 2004 Toyota Camry. Small cars are getting larger.

Updated Interior Design

Inside, the Corolla interior receives a fresh look with what Toyota describes as a fluid dashboard with smooth lines from side to side that help draw attention to the instrument panel and the center stack. Fabric trimmed seats are standard with the Corolla L; SofTex seats are included elsewhere. SofTex has a premium look and feel, resembling leather, but constructed of breathable artificial materials. The SofTex front seats are also 8-way power-adjusted for the driver and 4-way manually adjusted for the front passenger. A 60/40 split-folding seat is standard in the rear.

Air conditioning is standard with the Corolla L; automatic climate control is included elsewhere. Cruise control is included with all models except for the base edition; a tilt and telescopic steering column is also standard. Power windows, power door locks, an overhead console with map lights, center console storage, and a digital clock are included.

A four-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system is standard with the base edition; Entune Audio with a touchscreen display, hands-free phone capability, Bluetooth wireless technology is also included. Choose a special options package and a premium audio system with navigation is part of the package. Once again, you get the benefit of a an integrated backup camera on all models except for the base edition.

The 2014 Toyota Corolla offers 13 cubic feet of trunk space. It also has a covered storage compartment between the front seats and in-door storage pockets with sculpted beverage holders. Four cup holders are also provided: two up front and two in the back.

Toyota Corolla: The Latest Generation of a Hot Seller

View manufacturer details and pricing

Continuously Variable Transmission

Using a continuously variable transmission is new to Toyota, something Nissan has been mastering for the past 20 years. Ive driven the 2014 Nissan Sentra and have found that the usual rubber band effect where car speed lags engine rpm is usually evident. Toyota insists that it has the problem licked, but I encountered mild instances where lag was evident. It would be hard for me to make a distinction between the Sentra and Corolla in that regard, but there is one area where both are nearly identical: loud engines. As with many of todays CVTs you can manually shift it, simulating the gear changes you get with a conventional automatic.

All 2014 Corolla models are outfitted with independent MacPherson struts up front and and a torsion beam rear suspension. Stabilizer bars are fore and aft. Front disc brakes, rear drum brakes, and electric power steering are also standard. Choose the Corolla S and you get slightly larger rear brakes (10.2 inch vs. 9 inch).

Ride and handling is what you would expect for a car in this class: unexceptional. Thats not a hit against the Corolla, rather it represents a fact inherent to class vehicle.

Small Car Market

Toyotas dominance in the small car market is being threatened by a number of manufacturers with the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte among its more recent competitors. Toyota will soon take a different approach with its subcompact Yaris, tapping Mazda to rebadge its Mazda2 for the next generation model due out next year.

When asked about its Yaris plans, a Toyota official explained that it was a sensible arrangement for the automaker, a company that now produces far more models in-house across its Toyota and Lexus lines as well as with its Scion sub-brand. That also means that Toyota will protect the Corolla by continuing to serve up a model line that is big on value, perhaps adding another body style in the mix too. And with the average cost of a new car now topping $30,000, for $10,000 less you get an updated, roomy, well-equipped and very efficient not-so-small compact with a bullet-proof reputation.

2014 Toyota Corolla LE Eco

  • Sticker price from $18,700
  • Price as tested: $19,510
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • 1.8-liter 16-valve turbocharged four-cylinder engine
  • 140 horsepower @ 6,100 rpm
  • 126 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,000 rpm
  • 3.17 inches bore by 3.48 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 10:6-to-1
  • Continuously variable transmission
  • Wheelbase: 106.3 inches
  • Length: 183.1 inches
  • Width: 69.9 inches
  • Height: 57.3 inches
  • Passenger volume: 97.5 cubic feet
  • Storage volume: 13 cubic feet
  • Towing capacity: Not recommended
  • EPA: 30 mpg city, 42 mpg highway
  • Regular grade gasoline
  • Fuel tank: 13.2 gallons
  • Curb weight: From 2,865 pounds
  • Vehicle assembly: Tupelo, Miss.

More Car Reviews

Sporty Sedan: 2014 Buick Regal GS

Green Machine: 2014 Ford Fiesta SE Hatchback

Beastly Elegance: 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali

Seductive: 2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport

2014 Toyota Corolla photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2014 MODELS, CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION, ENTUNE, sedan, Toyota Corolla, VALVEMATIC TECHNOLOGY

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