Jump to content
Create New...
  • 💬 Join the Conversation

    CnG Logo SQ 2023 RedBlue FavIcon300w.png
    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has been the go-to hub for automotive enthusiasts. Join today to access our vibrant forums, upload your vehicle to the Garage, and connect with fellow gearheads around the world.

     

  • Drew Dowdell
    Drew Dowdell

    Toyota Introduces Camry and Avalon with All-Wheel Drive

      ...get a grip...

    Toyota announced today that the Toyota Avalon and Camry would be getting an all-wheel drive option. It's the first time the Camry has offered all-wheel drive since 1991 and the first ever for Avalon.  AWD will be available as a standalone option on Camry LE, XLE, SE, and XSE trims and on the Avalon XLE and Limited trims.

    In both models, the car is powered by a 202 horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and an 8-speed automatic. Camry XSE AWD and both Avalon AWD trims get 205hp with their dual exhaust. 

    The AWD system is borrowed from the Toyota RAV-4 and is called Dynamic Torque Control AWD. It is designed to help with traction in slippery weather but not drag down fuel economy when the weather is clear. The AWD system can direct up to 50 percent of the torque to the rear wheels.  When AWD isn't needed, the system can disengage the drive shaft from the differential to lessen the drag on fuel efficiency. 

    Neither of these cars was originally planned to have AWD, but given the flexibility of the TNGA architecture they and the RAV4 all ride on, Toyota's R&D department in Saline Michigan was able to modify the cars for this new option.  The body of the Camry and Avalon was combined with the drivetrain of the RAV-4. Floor structure modifications were required, plus the use of an electronic parking brake.  The gas tank was modified, and despite of the addition of a rear differential, the trunk floor height remains the same.  The addition of AWD adds 165lbs to the Camry while the Avalon's weight remains the about the same as the FWD V6 model. 

    Camry AWD will be arriving for model year 2020, while Avalon AWD arrives in 2021. 

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    I was looking around to see what the next Camry might look like.  If you look at 2022, the price on the basic 4 cylinder LE keeps going up.  Before discounts, you're looking at a MSRP of about $26K to $27K.

    I had a rented Camry in February.  Some may dog it all they want, but I was surprised to see how nicely the 2.5 liter 4 cyl. (normally aspirated) drove with an 8 speed automatic with smooth, purposeful shifts.  And that, with that "big" of an engine and no turbo, the great highway fuel mileage it pulled in.

    So I found this one image, and one link points to it as being a design 2017 and another link points to it as being the future.  Here it is:

    2021-toyota-camry-front-view.png?resize=

    Well look at that.  It looks more Alfa Romeo up front than appliance.  The front is a big improvement.  The sweep on the side is reminiscent of the Verano.  The roof shape is like that of the very first Aurora.  And, then, the rear sail panel / C-pillar is sort of messy, like that of the current Nissan Altima.  It's hard to comment on the rear fascia because you can't see it.

    This is the direction the next Camry design should be going.  I like this front end. 

    I think there are three things on the current car that need to go away:  1) the chunky multi-layered lower plastic grille - awful, 2) the rear sail panel curvature that looks like it belongs on a '72 Caprice,  and 3) the annoying 45 degree diagonal in the center stack, made even worse by a "laptop left open" infotainment center.  Don't be hitting the next redesign with the ugly stick. 

    What needs to stay is a proven, normally aspirated 4 cylinder engine with decent displacement and their nicely calibrated 8 speed automatic transmission.

     

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites




    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Support Real Automotive Journalism

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has delivered real content and honest opinions — not emotionless AI output or manufacturer-filtered fluff.

    If you value independent voices and authentic reviews, consider subscribing. Plans start at just $2.25/month, and paid members enjoy an ad-light experience.*

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • Silver and burgundy will always be #1 for me ... a dark burgundy, so not really red. The only gray I like is the one like the old "dove gray" offered by Buick and Cadillac.  My dad had a Buick sedan in that "dove gray" (the closest thing to it would be the one offered by the more recent Pacifica) with the gray velour buttoned cushion interior.  I borrowed it a lot.  Well, I found it for him!  It looked good and felt like you were driving around in your living room.  But that's it. Life is funny.  In their youth, some of these immigrants could have never imagined sitting in a plush velour car interior and looking at the road ahead through a hood ornament!
    • Take a look at these Cement homes, I find many to be very nice and am hoping that one day to build one as a retirement home in the Rambler format. There are some lovely home for Cement that most people would not realize are cement. There are 35 different two story and ramblers with some of the ramblers having basements, but these 4 I have included on top of the 7z file are my favorite for Cement homes. Cement Home Plans.7zgreensboro.pdforchard.pdfsan-simeon.pdfsterling.pdf
    • @balthazar was the one who dealt with this and has not been seen in a while, I am unsure he would answer you.
    • With cars, I do like dark metallic gray on luxury sedans and sports cars, esp with red interiors (I love red interiors—so uncommon today)… but those light battleship grays and  matte grays…ugh.  
    • Europeans have for a long time, used concrete to build their homes. Not just the foundations that we do here in North America, but the whole house.  Dare I say for thousands of years?   But even in modern times, Europe (Greece as the next sentences is anecdotal) has used concrete for their foundations and walls as long as I remember going back to the late 1970s.   The concrete is bare inside and out as I recall. Maybe today they paint?  And these concrete homes are not mansions for rich peoples, but homes for everyday peoples. I dont mind concrete for the whole house.  If I was living in Europe that is.  Here in North America I prefer my wood framed and drywall  homes.  In a modern mansion?  Concrete?  Id say maybe.  Depending on how the home is styled I guess.  But I dont like big mansions either though.  I find huge homes useless and lifeless.  I would have a huuuuuuuuge garage though.  And the garage would be fully concrete. So there is that. I grew up with a mother that hated colour in her home. White walls. White appliances. White dishes. But flower patterned sofas and chairs. French Provincial style  on top of that.  And flowers everywhere. The colour in our home came from real plants.   I hate white walls.  I hate flowers in the house and I LOATHE French Provincial anything and everything...        I hate grey on anything. Especially cars.  But my basement walls where my TV resides, the colour of the walls are dark grey where the TV is and the other three sides are a lighter shade of grey.  I hate grey rainy weather.   Grey is such a depressing colour. Black on walls?  Ill pass.  But as an accent somewhere I wouldnt mind.  
  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search