Did you know that the Toyota Camry is the world’s most successful saloon car? To date, more than 19 million examples have been sold in more than 100 countries worldwide. And since its successful return to the UK market in 2019, we felt now was the time to refresh this eighth-generation model for 2021 with a series of styling, equipment and safety upgrades.
2021 Toyota Camry: Exterior design
The introduction of new finishes for the front bumper, in particular the simplified grille design with parenthesis-style side ornamentation, emphasises the low and wide stance that is a characteristic of our adaptable GA-K platform.
A new front bumper design gives Camry added street presence, with a chrome frame contrasting with the arrangement of black horizontal bars. At the rear, the design of the light clusters has been gently altered.
Both Camry grades have new alloy wheel designs: 10-spoke silver 17-inch wheels for the Design model and a multi-spoke design with a machined finish for the Excel’s 18-inch rims.
2021 Toyota Camry: Interior technology
Inside, there’s a new leather upholstery design and the power-adjustable front seats in the Excel model gain ventilation and memory functions in addition to the heating and lumbar support that is already standard across the range.
Simple smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto has been made a standard Camry feature. Safety upgrades include the addition of Lane Trace Assist to the Toyota Safety Sense package and a location function for the tyre pressure monitoring system.
New features exclusive to the Camry Excel include a Panoramic View Monitor, giving the driver a 360-degree view of the area immediately around the car when manoeuvring in confined places; a useful automatic tilt action on the door mirrors when reversing, and paddle shifts mounted on the steering wheel. The power-adjusting steering wheel itself now comes with a heater and a memory setting.
The Excel also gains a larger, nine-inch display for the Toyota Touch multimedia system; the seven-inch screen is retained for Design grade.
The established Camry specification includes dual-zone automatic air conditioning, front and rear parking sensors, LED headlights (low beam only for Design) and front fog lights and satellite navigation. Excel grade features include rear privacy glass, wireless charger, smart entry, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Monitor, plus LED headlights (low and high beam) and daytime running lights.
The 2021 Toyota Camry is on sale now. On-the-road prices are £32,260 for the Design model and £34,830 for the Excel.
It’s a shame this was discontinued, hopefully it returns by the time I’m done with my MK2 Avensis!
Fantastic car, great to drive and comfortable front and back on a long run. I bought a Camry Excel in March that was registered in January 2022 and exceed the advertised 53mpg with up to 550 miles on one tank of fuel. The 2021 Excel also has more options than the base Lexus ES.