Toyota isn’t calling their new, all-wheel drive Camry the All-Trac. That’s a bit disappointing. But that doesn’t take away from their announcement. In 2020, shoppers interested in a mid-size sedan with some extra traction will have four models to choose from. And let’s not forget about the Avalon. It will offer the same exact powertrain as the Camry, although the value proposition of that model is less clear.
What prompted Toyota to reintroduce all-wheel drive into its sedan lineup? Blame America’s insatiable appetite for crossovers. The Camry is still the number one seller in the mid-size segment, but its sales are down significantly since gas prices plummeted around 2015. In terms of volume it’s basically swapped places with the Rav4. About 429k buyers picked the Camry in 2015. In 2018 that figured decreased to 343k units. The company will probably finish 2019 with about 315k units sold. Contrast that with the Rav4, which went from 315k sold in 2015 to 427k total sales for 2018. Toyota will probably move 465k Rav4 models this year.
Even if Toyota retained every Camry customer by switching them to a Rav4, the company is facing increased competition from the redesigned Altima. The Subaru Legacy doesn’t sell in high enough numbers to be a threat to Toyota and the Fusion only offered all-wheel drive with the 2.0 EcoBoost, essentially making it a niche vehicle in the lineup. By contrast, the Altima is a relatively fresh product that’s more competitive than it’s been in a long time. Nissan’s American dealers likely operate near their Toyota counterparts too, which makes it extremely easy for customers to check out the Altima after seeing what the Camry is like. According to Nissan, about 50% of Altima shoppers in “wintry states” opt for all-wheel drive. Toyota probably wants to prevent the Altima from becoming the default choice for shoppers interested in an all-wheel drive mid-size sedan.
It’s a smart move made possible by the Rav4. Say what? Yes, you read that right. Toyota’s TNGA platform, which underpins all three vehicles, enabled engineers to adapt the Rav4’s transmission, transfer case, and differential to both sedans. There was also a bunch of other modifications made to the Camry and Avalon, like the inclusion of a different gas tank. The two cars also borrowed the crossover’s rear suspension. Don’t expect them to handle like the Rav4 though, because Toyota tuned them to behave like their front-wheel drive counterparts.
The mechanical all-wheel drive system is limited to the 2.5 liter four cylinder engine. Given the low take rate of any optional engine, that shouldn’t be too much of an issue. And the Camry boasts more standard power than the Legacy, about twenty more. Paired with Toyota’s eight speed automatic, it should be the desirable option for customers looking for an affordable, all-wheel drive mid-size sedan that offers a more exciting driving experience than the CVT equipped competition. As for the Avalon, it’s a nice option for those who want it, even if the car is a niche option in a smaller segment.
Any chance we’ll see four wheel traction on Toyota’s smaller sedans? It’s a possibility. The company’s electric all-wheel drive system is already available on the Japanese Corolla and Americans can get it on the Prius. The Yaris will remain a reskinned Mazda 2 for another generation, but the global, TNGA-based version also offers the same system. And with Mazda adding all-wheel drive to models like the 3, it’s possible we’ll see the American Yaris get it eventually.
Toyota of America’s successful campaign to get all-wheel drive on the Camry, especially before a mid-cycle refresh, is telling. It means Toyota is committed to retaining as many sedan customers as it possibly can. And that it views the all-wheel drive Altima as a threat. Perhaps an all-wheel drive Accord is next.
In any event, if you want a Camry with four wheel traction, you’ll be able to get one in spring 2020. It will be a standalone option on LE and above. The 2021 Avalon will offer it on XLE and above and will arrive in Toyota showrooms next fall.
I would think there’s a market to tooling up alternate front fascias.
They surely need to. That grille pattern extending under the headlamps is so 1941. The kitchen appliances are getting angrier and angrier. 🙂
Living in the Northeast, 95% of the time, front wheel drive and even rear wheel drive have been fine even in the worst snow events. I think tires and ground clearance are what have made the difference for me in terms of just everyday commuting. Again for me in everyday commuting, all wheel drive is a liability in terms of fuel mileage.
I fully agree.
@jerseyfred, no argument regarding the fuel mileage, but as the owner of both FWD and AWD Ford Fusions, I can attest to their performance in snow and ice.
The FWD is nothing I didn’t expect, and is very sensitive to the type, quality and amount of tread regarding its tires.
The AWD is a mountain goat, absolutely reassuring to drive. Yes, ground clearance is limited, but driven in urban / suburban environments where the plows roll 24/7 during snow events, deep snow isn’t the problem. Snow packed roads where the surface layer slowly turns to ice are, and the AWD should be called Awesome Wheel Drive for how well it does.
My 4X4 F-150 behaves similarly to these two cars. In 4X2 mode, it gets around well, but slow starts from stop, fish tailing and the rear swinging out on corners are the norm. Switch on the 4X4 and it’s like the frozen stuff on the road instantly melted.
Even though I live in an area that never gets snow, I’ve generally owned either an AWD or part-time 4wd for most of the last 35 years. But I still find it surprising that AWD is regaining popularity, after the period in the eighties when the AllTrac, Colt Vista, Ford Tempo AWD and Pontiac 6000 AWD had their brief existences. I was under the impression that modern traction and stability control, rising gas prices, and fuel economy regulations would make AWD obsolete for seasonal snow conditions (outside of the mountain West or parts of New England or the Appalachians). I assumed most CUV’s are just 2wd.
A friend who recently bought a Tesla Model 3 and drove it over the Sierras in our recent winter storm told me its the best snow car he’s driven, even with its OEM all season Michelin’s. I personally find the AWD Prius very appealing.
Funny, I’m the opposite. I live where we see regular snow and ice yet I have never owned AWD or 4WD. The joke around here is that AWD just means the tow truck has to work harder to pull you back onto the road. 🙂
JPC, very much in agreement with you and jerseyfred. That AWD or4WD is available for those who want it or desire it is fine with me. However, have managed fine all these years without it and have no thoughts of ever getting one of those vehicles. If one is levelheaded, calm and smart who can do OK with fwd or rwd vehicles. Saw a whole bunch of people who slid off the road one time this past winter. Because I was fully present and drove as the conditions dictated, I had no problem at all. But looked like some folks sure didn’t make it into work. And likely had to sit in their cars until someone stopped to rescue them from their foolishness. It’s possible to learn from other folks mistakes. Or, if not, learn from your own mistakes.
I grew up with FWD and RWD cars and trucks. We got by fine.
But I much prefer my 4×4 truck this time of year.
Kudos to Toyota for expanding their AWD offerings. I’d like to see an AWD minivan that doesn’t sacrifice the spare tire like the Sienna currently does.
I grew up with FWD and RWD cars and trucks. We got by fine.
But I much prefer my 4×4 truck this time of year.
Kudos to Toyota for expanding their AWD offerings. I’d like to see an AWD minivan that doesn’t sacrifice the spare tire like the Sienna currently does.
With our first snow here in the Sierra’s I’m again thinking of snowblowers and AWD cars. I’ve only been up here for a few years and so far resisted the urge to spend down my retirement fund. My back says get the snowblower, but putting on and off chains is a pain too.
Toyota did offer an AWD Camry in the US in the 2nd generation, as well as an AWD Corolla sedan at the same time…they had very low “take” rates. I would think that Toyota waited about 5 years too long to re-introduce this choice to Americans.
Probably the most attractive AWD Toyota sedan is the Prius because of it’s hatchback, making it a viable alternative to a CUV.
AWD makes so much sense for any hybrid or plug-in. Just add an electric motor and a rear axle. Nil effect on fuel economy.
In fact quite a few of the Tesla Model 3s I see around Portland are “Dual Motor”, i.e. AWD.
Actually that extra motor means extra regen capability and a potential to increase fuel economy, of course to optimize that you’ll need a battery that can accept a higher charge rate.
Exactly. Dual motor does not meet AWD. My Hybrid has two electric motors but FWD.
Well on Tesla Dual Motor is what they call their AWD versions. Yes there are several Hybrids that have two motors just to drive one set of wheels. The Toyota AWD hybrids have 3 motors, the same two in the e-CVT as the FWD cars and one out back for the rear wheels.
This is step one to getting the production line humming at full volume again and meet initial sales projections. Step two will hopefully be station wagon versions of these cars for more incremental volume with minimal difficulty or difference on the line. I think Toyota and others are seeing demand for AWD but perhaps buyers are looking for more reasonably priced alternatives to the CUV market.
Kudos to Nissan for seeing Subaru remaining as the only reasonably priced AWD sedan and deciding that they can have some of that pie (and it was working). And now others are piling on. More choice is better, leave it to the consumer to buy what they want.
I don’t think Toyota is really worried about keeping the Camry volume high. I don’t know about your area but not that long ago you couldn’t turn on a radio or TV for more than a few minutes without hearing/seeing an ad for a cheap Camry lease, sometimes back to back. Once the RAV-4 was in contention for the best selling passenger vehicle the Camry ads all but disappeared and RAV-4 advertising came on strong.
FYI this is a 4 cyl model only AWD for the Camry.
How about AWD for the V6? The traction/stability control has that 301 hp from the 3.5 so neutered it can barely chirp the tires even with the traction control off.
“Fusion only offered all-wheel drive with the 2.0 EcoBoost…”
Also the Fusion Sport was AWD only and it was turbo V6.
I can’t believe these will be my used car choices in a few years!
They have made it unbelievably easy to not want to buy a new car.
The Aztec is looking more and more beautiful by comparison.
I can’t imagine what styling they will do next.
I keep thinking it has to come full circle again, back to sanity, but it keeps getting worse.
What’s left? Dirty diaper looks? Upside-down-looks? Looking like a cold sore?
A virus? A severed foot? Paint that changes with electrical current to ten shades of poop-brown? A giant Andrew Jackson head with wheels? A herniated disc with a spoiler?
A bi-plane with vertical spears that culminate into an enormous spider (with optional goose feather detailing?)
An enormous mustache and side burns with ram-air?
Nothing from the 70s was this bad. Nothing.
It’s been awhile since I ranted like this, but it shows no signs of ending. Or slowing.
What I would really like to see is everyone who reads this and agrees with me that these modern styling trends are hideous, would leave a comment below saying so.
I mean, everyone. The whole silent majority. Overflow the comments section with them.
I know you are out there. Let your voice be heard!
Or not. I am being a bit of a drama queen today.
I really like the look of the new Camry, at least in the sporty trims.
I kind of like the styling of the Avalon. The Camry is a bit too 2002 rice burner for my tastes, but I do like it’s larger greenhouse and overall emphasis on looking rather low for a change. But I’ve developed such an existential hatred towards crossovers I begrudgingly am more embracing of sedans, no matter how lumpy and gaudy they get.
But yes, I’d rather buy a brown 1978 Cordoba with ugly stacked with a smog choked 318 than put up with the aesthetic of 9/10ths of what’s currently on offer.
Only one person? My attempt at a revolution has failed.
So has my try at hyjacking the comment thread, which was kinda wrong anyway.
Okay, as you were. Talk amongst yourselves…😑
So the Avalon is getting a 4 cylinder AWD powertrain too? Haven’t Avalons always used six cylinder engines except for hybrids?