Top Updates Revealed for 2021 Toyota Camry – You Will Like Them

Did you know that Toyota Camry is the best-selling midsize sedan in the country? Did you also know that Camry has been the top midsize sedan for the last 18 straight years?

Pretty impressive considering there are so many choices designed to tempt consumers looking to buy a new car.

I imagine it would be easy for Toyota to rest on its past Camry success and not make any changes from year to year. Especially after just introducing both Camry all-wheel drive and TRD models for 2020. Not for Toyota – Camry is still “Moving Forward.”

The 2021 model year is a mild refresh year. This means Toyota Camry will not be completely redesigned. However, it will offer some changes, updates and improvements to its current model that should benefit you and your family.

Look for 2021 Camry to introduce new technology, safety, styling and convenience features that you may really like.

2021 Camry Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+

There are now three different versions of Toyota Safety Sense in the Toyota world.

Original Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) includes pre-collision system with pedestrian detection during the daytime, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist and automatic high beams.

My 2018 Camry XLE has this system, and I have to say, every one of these individual components has come in handy during the nearly three years of my current lease.

By the way, I might need some help from everyone with my search for a new Toyota closer to the end of the year. I have it narrowed down to an Avalon, 4Runner, the new Venza and another Camry.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 can be found on popular models like Corolla and RAV4. This newer version adds in nighttime pedestrian detection and daytime bicycle detection, along with road sign assist and lane tracing assist.

Lane tracing assist is useful in that it can keep your vehicle centered in your lane for about eight to nine seconds, even when on a curve on the highway or in heavier traffic when following another car closely.

2021 Toyota Camry has skipped over TSS 2.0 and moved right into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. This is the first Toyota to implement this system.

TSS 2.5+ includes all the previous safety features and systems, but it adds in more benefits to drivers.

When you are turning left at an intersection, your Camry can detect oncoming vehicles and pedestrians and may provide audio and visual alerts so you can see them better. We have all been in those situations where we are sure the coast is clear, only to see another car or person in our way at the last moment. This should help.

Also, if you are steering rapidly to avoid cars, people or bikes, TSS 2.5+ works to help you stabilize your emergency steering maneuvers.

This next update I will need to see in action to understand how it works in the real world. When you have your full-speed dynamic radar cruise activated, your Toyota Camry can speed up to pass slower cars in your lane as you change lanes to pass them. Your car will keep speeding up until it reaches your preset speed.

I can really only think of one drawback to this new Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. Every time I write about it, I will have to think back to 10th grade typing class to remember where to find the “+” key on my laptop.

First world problems my friends.

New 2021 Toyota Camry trim levels

Time for us to give a fond farewell to the Camry L trim level. Camry LE will now serve as the base model for the 2021 model year.

Camry LE and Camry XLE will have new front fascia that features a more defined lower intake area. The gasoline-powered 2021 Camry LE (not Camry Hybrid LE) features redesigned 17-inch alloy wheels, while XLE has a new 18-inch alloy wheel design.

Camry SE and XSE will have a new look up front, too. Look for a new and bolder lower fascia design with a honeycomb style grille and side vent inserts, plus new side vent accents.

There is also a new Camry Hybrid to consider – and this is one that people have been asking for. The 2021 Camry XSE Hybrid joins current LE Hybrid, XLE Hybrid and SE Hybrid entries.

New 2021 Camry colors

I always appreciate when Toyota introduces more colors to each of its many models. For decades, Toyota was known as a very vanilla company when it came to color selection. TRD Pro models have changed this some, as well as some new and vibrant choices in recent years.

Blueprint is replacing Blue Streak Metallic for 2021 Toyota Camry.

The color Ice Edge has been seen on some RAV4 trim levels like TRD Off-Road and Adventure, but as the offsetting lighter roof color to other primary colors. Now Ice Edge becomes a primary color choice on 2021 Camry TRD and features a two-tone Midnight Black Metallic roof.

XSE Camry will now offer the combination of a two-tone Supersonic Red with Midnight Black Metallic roof.

2021 Toyota Camry interior updates

You can expect to see a new look for Toyota Camry interior styling for 2021. Camry will adopt a similar multimedia philosophy as RAV4 of a raised (what Toyota calls a “floating”) multimedia touch screen. People can choose between 7-inch and 9-inch screen sizes.

Just like with 2020 Camry vehicles, the 2021 Camry offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility.

I will cover more of these interior changes in a future story.

Time for your thoughts on Toyota Camry

Thanks for reading everyone. Please bookmark and follow along with my running Toyota coverage at Torque News / Toyota News.

What do you think of the changes coming to 2021 Toyota Camry? Do you have plans to consider a Camry in the coming months, and if so, what trim level do you think is best for you and your family? Will you consider a gas or hybrid Camry?

How many miles on your current Camry and what has your experience been owning a Toyota Camry in the past?

See you next story when I compare 2020 Toyota 4Runner Limited vs Nightshade.

Follow Jeff Teague on social media:

- Torque News Toyota - my regular column
- YouTube channel - My "Toyotajeff" Toyota reviews
- Facebook page "Toyotajeff"
- Instagram page @toyotajeff1
- Twitter @toyotajeff1

Thank you everyone for following me.