Overview
The 2012 Toyota Camry, a mid-size sedan in its seventh generation has been the best-selling passenger car in America for seven years running till date and also for 11 of the last 12 years. It continues to redefine standards for performance and comfort. Toyota does not want to risk that status and continues to play it safe by giving the sedan a meaner, sharper look including a more aggressive front grille and side profile. Angles, seems to be the theme of the 2012 Toyota Camry. It continues to redefine standards for performance and comfort.
For 2012, the Toyota Camry gets improved versions of last year's engines to deliver better fuel economy. The 2012 Toyota Camry will be offered in L, LE, SE and XLE trim levels and Hybrid models are also available.
Powertrain And Performance
The 2012 Toyota Camry is offered with a choice of two engines i.e a powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 178 hp and 170 pound-feet of torque and a 3.5-liter V6 generating 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque.
The base Toyota Camrys are powered by the torquey 2.5 liter engine while the rest gets the 3.5 liter engines under the hood. Both engines drive the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. As per the fuel efficiency estimates put across by Toyota, the four-cylinder will return an estimated 35 highway mpg, while the V6, with nearly 100 more hp, will achieve 30 mpg on the highway.
Build And Styling
As mentioned above in the intro, the 2012 Toyota Camry will be offered in L, LE, SE and XLE trim levels. The base L trim stands tall on 16-inch steel wheels and features power-folding mirrors, air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth and a six-speaker CD sound system with auxiliary input and USB jacks.
In addition to the features present in the L trim, the Camry LE trim adds auto headlamps, remote keyless entry, steering-wheel-mounted audio and Bluetooth controls and the six-speaker Display Audio system featuring a 6.1-inch touchscreen.
The SE includes a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, heated exterior mirrors, unique interior and exterior styling treatment, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, sport seats and the Display Audio system. SE V6 models get the upgraded Display Audio system that adds navigation, HD radio, satellite radio, voice recognition and Entune smartphone and Web integration.
The luxurious XLE reverts to the LE's softer suspension settings, and adds heated exterior mirrors, foglamps, a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver seat, a four-way power passenger seat and the Display Audio system with navigation and Entune. XLE V6 models get a rearview camera, auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery and heated driver and front passenger seats. A premium 10-speaker JBL audio system integrated with a 7-inch touchscreen hard-drive-based navigation system is also optional on XLE V6 models.
Safety Features
Safety as been a high priority for all Toyota products and it shows. The 2012 Toyota Camry comes with a battery of standard safety features, including antilock brakes with brake assist, stability control, front- and rear-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, and knee airbags for both driver and passenger, the latter new for 2012. A blind-spot monitoring system is also available.
