For drivers in North America seeking enhanced traction and confident handling in all weather conditions, the Toyota Camry has answered the call with the re-introduction of All-Wheel Drive (AWD). After nearly three decades, the Camry AWD is back, joining the Toyota Avalon as the first-ever flagship sedan to offer this highly sought-after feature. Developed and assembled exclusively in the U.S. for the North American market, the Toyota Camry Awd is poised to redefine expectations in the midsize sedan segment. As SUVs and crossovers continue to dominate sales charts, Toyota recognizes the enduring appeal of sedans and is committed to providing customers with more choices, blending the comfort and efficiency of a sedan with the all-weather capability of AWD.
Understanding the Toyota Camry Dynamic Torque Control AWD System
The heart of the 2020 Toyota Camry AWD lies in its sophisticated Dynamic Torque Control All-Wheel Drive system. This isn’t just any AWD system; it’s a system intelligently designed to maximize traction and fuel efficiency. Borrowing technology from the popular Toyota RAV4, the Camry AWD system can direct up to 50 percent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels when needed. This proactive torque distribution provides confident acceleration from a standstill and enhanced grip when encountering slippery surfaces, be it rain, snow, or ice.
What sets the Dynamic Torque Control AWD system apart is its efficiency. Under normal driving conditions, when extra traction isn’t required, the system seamlessly disengages the propeller shaft from the rear differential using an electromagnetic controlled coupling. This effectively reverts the Camry to front-wheel drive, minimizing the parasitic drag associated with traditional AWD systems and optimizing fuel economy. The transition between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive is imperceptible to the driver, ensuring a smooth and refined driving experience without compromising on capability. Toyota has engineered this system to be completely transparent, allowing drivers to enjoy enhanced confidence in various conditions without any added complexity or driver input.
Performance and Efficiency of the Toyota Camry AWD
The Toyota Camry AWD is powered by a responsive and fuel-efficient 2.5-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine. Most Camry AWD grades deliver 202 horsepower, providing ample power for daily driving and confident highway merging. For those seeking a bit more dynamism, the Camry XSE AWD, along with both Avalon AWD grades, bumps the output to 205 horsepower thanks to a dual exhaust system. This engine is mated to a smooth-shifting 8-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission, further contributing to both performance and fuel efficiency.
Despite the added weight and complexity of the AWD system, the Toyota Camry AWD maintains impressive fuel economy figures. Toyota engineers have meticulously balanced the benefits of all-wheel drive with the need for efficiency, ensuring that drivers don’t have to compromise on fuel costs for the added security of AWD. This makes the Camry AWD a practical choice for those who prioritize both capability and economy in their midsize sedan.
Developed in North America on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) Platform
The development of the Toyota Camry AWD is a testament to Toyota’s engineering prowess and its commitment to responding to market demands. Originally, the current generation Camry was not planned to include an AWD variant. However, recognizing the growing customer interest in AWD sedans, the engineering team at Toyota Motor North America Research and Development in Michigan took on the challenge.
Leveraging the flexibility of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, the team was able to efficiently integrate the AWD system. The TNGA platform, which also underpins the RAV4 and Highlander, allowed for the strategic sharing of components. Engineers combined the Camry’s upper body structure with the engine, transmission, transfer case, and rear differential from the RAV4. The RAV4’s multi-link rear suspension was also adapted and refined to suit the sedan’s dynamics. Even the propeller shaft from the larger Highlander SUV was modified for use in the Camry AWD.
Adapting the AWD system required significant engineering modifications, including alterations to the floor structure, the adoption of an electronic parking brake, and the implementation of a saddle-style fuel tank to accommodate the rear drive components. Despite these changes, Toyota engineers managed to minimize the weight increase, with the Camry AWD adding only about 165 pounds compared to its front-wheel-drive counterpart. Crucially, the Camry AWD retains the same passenger space, trunk volume, ride comfort, and cabin quietness as the FWD models, ensuring no compromise in the core sedan attributes.
Trim Levels, Features, and Availability
The Toyota Camry AWD is available as a stand-alone option on LE, XLE, SE, and XSE trim levels, offering a wide range of choices to suit different customer preferences and budgets. For those living in colder climates, Toyota offers an optional Cold-Weather Package, adding heated seats and mirrors on the LE, heated seats, mirrors, and steering wheel on the SE, and a heated steering wheel on XLE and XSE grades. All other standard and optional features from the front-wheel-drive versions carry over to the AWD models, including Toyota’s advanced Audio multimedia systems with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa compatibility.
The Toyota Camry AWD was introduced as a 2020 model year vehicle, arriving at dealerships in the early spring of 2020. The Avalon AWD followed as a 2021 model, going on sale in the fall of 2020. Both models are assembled exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, underscoring Toyota’s commitment to North American manufacturing and its responsiveness to regional market needs.
Uncompromising Safety with Toyota Safety Sense-P
Safety remains a paramount concern for Toyota, and the Camry AWD is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS-P) as standard. This comprehensive suite of active safety technologies includes:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD): Helps mitigate or avoid frontal collisions.
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC): Maintains a set following distance from the vehicle ahead.
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA): Warns drivers of lane departures and can provide steering assistance.
- Automatic High Beams (AHB): Automatically adjusts between high and low beams for optimal visibility.
In addition to TSS-P, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) is available on Camry and standard on Avalon, further enhancing driver awareness. Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS) with Rear Cross Traffic Braking (RCTB) is also available on both models to aid in parking and low-speed maneuvers. Like all Toyota vehicles, the Camry AWD benefits from the Star Safety System, encompassing Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock Braking System, and ten standard airbags.
Conclusion: The Toyota Camry AWD – A Smart Choice for All-Weather Confidence
The return of the Toyota Camry AWD marks a significant step for Toyota in the midsize sedan segment. By offering all-wheel drive in America’s best-selling sedan, Toyota is providing customers with a compelling combination of practicality, efficiency, and all-weather capability. The Dynamic Torque Control AWD system delivers confident traction without compromising fuel economy or the Camry’s renowned driving dynamics. Developed in North America and built on the advanced TNGA platform, the Toyota Camry AWD is a testament to Toyota’s engineering innovation and its dedication to meeting the evolving needs of drivers. For those seeking a sedan that excels in both everyday driving and challenging weather conditions, the Toyota Camry AWD is a smart and reliable choice.
