Test Drive: 2015 Toyota Camry nicely updated

How odd.

Toyota freshened the Camry midsize for the 2012 model and called it, disingenuously, "all-new."

Now, Toyota gives it some significant changes for 2015 and calls it a mere mid-cycle update.

And truly, it has the cliched mid-cycle changes: New schnoz and rump, tweaks to the interior that include a different and bigger control/display screen, model lineup shuffling that involves dropping the low-end L so that the LE now is the bottom-feeder.

But the 2015 also adds a sport version of the V-6 gasoline car, as well as injecting the sport features into the Camry hybrid.

Radical. Toyota's habit has been to slap on a trunk spoiler and rocker panel spats and, there you go, a "sport" model. But this time it's real.

The sport designation — an "S" in the model's name, such as XSE — indicates different wheels and tires, re-tuned transmission shifting, and firmer suspension.

A testing of the waters with the SE model the past year was successful, Toyota says, so now expands up into the XSE and out into the hybrid SE.

Let's see ... a tighter-handling, crisper-responding, more agile car that seems to keep the comfort level intact. Not really much of a risk. Honda's been selling almost as many Accords using that formula for, what, decades?

Whichever version of Camry you're eyeing, you have to learn to love, or live with, Camry's big, wide grille. It's so incongruous on a family car that we suspect it'll give children nightmares.

Overall, it's the high-end models that stand out because they're a better blend of performance, handling and features. The V-6 XLE is the most luxurious and the V-6 XSE is the nicest to drive.

Acknowledging their appeal to overlapping segments of the mainstream's spendy set, Toyota sets the same starting prices for the XLE and XSE: $26,975 with four-cylinder, $32,195 with V-6.

Mark well that "V-6" reference. The four-cylinder versions, which most people buy, lack some or all the right tuning. A four-cylinder Camry SE scored 10th of 10 cars in the recent Cars.com/USA TODAY/MotorWeek $27,000 Midsize Sedan Challenge.

The gas-electric hybrid Camry, alas, has become a low point. It was a jewel among what Toyota disingenuously called the "all-new" 2012 Camry line. Now it's just unpleasant, mainly because of poor steering feel, a sub-par CVT and some details, such as lack of standard heated seats.
So that leaves only the XLE and XSE V-6 models on our "you-betcha" list.

Both are big improvements in ride and handling vs. Toyota's normally cushy personality. And both understeer considerably in tight corners taken fast. But the XLE front end also bobs and wanders slightly on bumpy patches, while the crisper-tuned XSE stays put. And, as expected, the XSE responds better overall to steering and braking demands.

Other things to consider:

• Camry's controls are bigger, easy to see and use. The tradeoff is Toyota can't fit many of them onto the dashboard.

Thus, many functions become applications and have to be accessed by the "app" button on the dash. You have to hit the "app" button to get the menu that lets you pick navigation, audio, phone settings and other things that often have their own controls.

• Infotainment/connectivity remains a mild struggle.

Simply pairing an android phone, for example, seemed to hit a dead end before additional research provided enlightenment. That's like making you decipher something before the key works.

• USB and 12-volt plugs are tucked into a recess ahead of the shifter. Good place to toss a phone, but the angle of the plugs and lack of lighting means that plugging in isn't always a snap.

• Don't be distracted by the seemingly low base prices. Our two V-6 test cars were close to $37,000 each, a threshold that provokes shoppers to consider smaller but well-furnished luxury models with more cachet.

Those entry-lux models cost you some space, but they usually drive with more sporting flair.

That once would have been an easy call, going against Camry. Now, the updated 2015 Camry with sporting equipment makes it a tougher choice

2015 Toyota Camry details:

What? Update of best-selling car in the U.S. Front-drive, four-door, five-passenger, midsize sedan.

When? On sale since late September.

Where? Made in Kentucky.

How much? Base prices for gasoline models range from $23,195 including shipping to $32,195. Hybrids: $27,615 to $30,805.

What makes it go? 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine rated 178 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 170 pounds-feet of torque at 4,100. Optional, 3.5-liter V-6 rated 268 hp at 6.200, 248 lbs.-ft. at 4,700.

Hybrid model has 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine rated 156 hp at 5,700 rpm, 156 lbs.-ft. at 4,500 coupled to electric motor rated 141 hp at 4,500, 199 lbs.-ft. up to 1,500 rpm.

Gas engines use six-speed automatic transmission. Hybrid uses CVT (continuously variable-ratio automatic).

How big? Standard midsize, about even with main rival Honda Accord. Passenger space, 102.7 cubic feet. Trunk, 15.4 cu. ft. (13.1 cu. ft. hybrid).

Weighs 3,240-3,585 lbs., typical for the class.

Turning circle diameter 36.7 ft., tighter than most.

How thirsty? V-6 rated rated 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, 25 mpg combined. Four-cylinder: 25/35/28. Hybrid LE trim: 43/39/41. Hybrid SE, XLE: 40/38/40.

Hybrid SE test car registered 38 mpg (2.64 gallons per 100 miles) in light-footed suburban short-trip driving.

V-6 test cars registered: 29.7 mpg (3.37 gal./100 mi.) in brisk driving on flat, rural two-lane roads; 22 mpg (4.55 gal./100 mi.) in mix of quick suburban, fast highway driving.

Burns regular, holds 17 gallons.

Overall: Worthy improvements inside and underneath. Handling, steering still could be crisper.

2015 Toyota Camry highlights...

Room: No need for a full-size.

Mileage: Better than expected in real-world use.

Handling: No BMW, but XSE V-6 is noteworthy.