There are several reasons why the Toyota Camry has been the best-selling passenger car in the United States for 18 years in a row. Its great reliability and excellent safety ratings contribute to its popularity. For 2021, the Toyota Camry delivers new updates while staying true to the formula that makes the Camry an ongoing favorite.

Exterior changes for the 2021 Toyota Camry

With just minor updates for the 2021 model year, according to Cars.com, the newest Camry and Camry Hybrid feature some updates to the appearance, new multimedia screens, and the newest Toyota safety features.

For 2021, the L trim has disappeared, leaving the LE trim as the base model. The SE and XSE trims have sporty updates to the lower bumper and honeycomb-style grille plus side vent inserts and accents. The non-hybrid LE trims and XLE trims have new wheel designs, the LE with 17-inch alloy wheels and the XLE with 18-inch alloy wheels. The XSE trim is now available as a hybrid, a new trim option for 2021.

There are a few new exterior paint colors for the 2021 Camry. Blue Streak Metallic is replaced by Blueprint. The TRD trim, new for 2020 with performance tuning, continues but now has Ice Edge with a Midnight Black Metallic roof available. The XSE trim has Supersonic Red with a Midnight Black Metallic roof available.

Technology updates for the 2021 Toyota Camry

In the interior of the 2021 Camry, buyers will find an updated multimedia system. Lower trims have a seven-inch touchscreen, which now has a floating appearance rather than being embedded in the dash. A nine-inch touchscreen is available.

The infotainment system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Amazon Alexa. There is a new 10-inch color head-up display available on the higher trim levels. Other new interior features for 2021 include new trim options of dark wood inlays and patterned metal, an optional upgraded stereo system, and a new herringbone pattern for the XLE trim seats.

Safety updates for the 2021 Toyota Camry

The 2021 Toyota Camry comes with Toyota’s Star Safety system standard in all trims as in past years. The system includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop Technology (SST).

In addition, the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 Plus premieres on the 2021 Camry. The system is an update to the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 system. It offers a number of driver-assist features, including lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and road sign recognition. 

Its pre-collision system with pedestrian detection is now more sensitive and is able to spot cyclists during the day as well as pedestrians in low light. It was already designed to spot other vehicles. Intersection support is able to alert the driver to oncoming traffic when turning left at an intersection. Steering assist is able to help stabilize the car when the driver swerves to avoid something. The adaptive cruise control system is updated to make it easier to pass other vehicles while remaining in cruise control.

A rear-seat reminder is new for 2021 and standard on all trim levels. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is now standard in the XSE, XLE, and TRD trims and available in the LE, SE, and SE Nightshade trims.

What’s staying the same

Much of the exterior and interior design remains the same for the 2021 Toyota Camry. The powertrain options are unchanged as well. There are two gas engines plus a hybrid option. The gas engines are a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V6, and both are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available. All-wheel drive became available in 2020 and will be easier to get for 2021. It’s an available feature in the LE, XLE, SE, SE Nightshade, and XSE trims with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Only front-wheel drive is available on the XLE, XSE, and TRD trims with the 3.5-liter V6 engine.

The Camry Hybrid has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack. The Hybrid has a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Hybrid can be selected on LE, XLE, SE, and XSE trims and will be more readily available for 2021 than in the past.

For buyers looking for a car that offers dependability, safety features, and a decent amount of technology, the 2021 Toyota Camry continues to be a good choice. The new 2021 Camry is expected to arrive in dealerships in November