When you want a sporty ride without compromising on reliability, let the 2015 Toyota Camry XSE land on your radar. You get all the bells and whistles at this trim level, plus the performance upgrades found on the beloved SE. The sensational exterior styling cues, new to this year, round out the full package and are sure to turn heads. Take a peek at all that this reimagined midsize car has to offer, then set out to find yours today.
All-new Sporty Appearance
Toyota reworked the exterior styling of the 2015 Camry XSE from the ground up. They added sophisticated curves at every corner to easily draw the eye from nose to tail — although, with its new facelift, you might find it difficult to pull your eyes away from its chrome bar grille accented by miles of black mesh.
Only the upper trim levels get the aggressive mesh, while its fancy 18-inch wheels are reserved for the XSE alone. These wheels add to the sporty appearance, though the Michelin Primacy tires detract a bit from the performance side of things.
Built for low rolling resistance, these tires simply do not have impressive grip, but they sure do look good. Think about a grippier tire upgrade if you want to blast around the corners with finesse and improve stopping power across the board.
Plentiful color options allow you to select a Camry that feels unique to you, though there were two standout hues in the bunch. Available for an extra charge, both the Ruby Flare Pearl and Blizzard Pearl dazzle in the sunlight and capture everyone’s attention in an instant.
They look particularly good with the XSE’s 18-inch wheels, making them a popular choice for those shopping the showroom floor. For those who want a flashy color without the upcharge, the Blue Crush Metallic is always a solid choice.
Smooth, Yet Agile Handling
Besides improving the appearance, the designers set out to boost the chassis’ rigidity with strategic spot welds and other reinforcements. With this move, they greatly improved how well the car handles even while navigating the sharpest bends. The XSE model also gets an extra boost to its handling from stiffer shocks and springs, plus heavy-duty bushings all around.
This trim also comes with a more responsive electric power steering tune that promises to never let you down.
Like vehicle stability control and traction control, high-tech assistance systems add an extra layer of security during spirited driving. These systems kick in upon sensing any stability issues, helping right the vehicle and keep you on your intended path. The result of all these upgrades is a truly stable build that deftly moves through the corners without pitching and rolling. The ride quality never seems to suffer, either, as is common when tightening up handling.
Impressive Performance
The XSE trim comes with two powerplant options, both of which Toyota offered on the prior-year Camry. The standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine always proves trustworthy and will get you where you’re going. But the real magic lies in upgrading to the spicy 3.5L V6. This powerplant upgrade brings you up to 268 horsepower, which is well over the 178-horsepower produced by the 2.5L. Plus, the six-cylinder exhaust note is much more pleasing to the ear.
With those 268 ponies at your disposal, you can zoom from 0 to 60 in just 5.8 seconds, which is blazing fast for a family-friendly midsize car. And if you want to run the quarter mile, expect times in the 14-second range at 100 miles per hour. Despite the impressive performance, fuel economy will remain on your side. As long as your car is in good working order, you can get between 21 and 31 miles per gallon.
No matter which engine you select, your ride comes with the standard six-speed automatic. Although it’s nothing to write home about, its performance is reliable and does not seem to hold back the potential of either powerplant.
Remarkable Safety Systems
Toyota always focuses on safety while creating their cars, and the 2015 Camry XSE is no exception. New to this year are the LED running lights that beautifully illuminate the path ahead. To keep other drivers well-informed of what’s going on, it also has equally bright turn signals and taillights.
A handful of high-tech safety options also come standard this year as a part of their Star Safety System, including:
- Anti-lock brakes
- Vehicle stability control
- Traction control
- Brake assist
- Electronic brake-force distribution
- Smart stop technology
In addition, Toyota added the innovative pre-collision system and dynamic radar cruise control system to the mix. This smart duo actively watches the road to check for obstructions and hit the brakes if it thinks a collision could otherwise occur.
All these systems can help you watch out for obstacles and avoid them in record time, keeping collisions out of the picture. If the unthinkable does happen, you have airbags at all sides to cushion you and all of your passengers in the front and rear seats.
Truly Comfortable Interior
As the high-tech systems keep you safe, the interior works just as hard at keeping you and your passengers comfortable. And only on the XSE can you get heated and powered leather-trimmed seats with stunning faux-suede inserts. The seat inserts are ultra-soft and a true pleasure to gaze upon, to boot. Aesthetics are further improved with red stitching along the edges of the seats and across the dash.
Everything feels like it’s built to maximize ergonomics and help keep your focus on the road. The door armrests are set high to make it easy to keep both hands on the wheel, while the knobs and buttons on the dash are easily in reach.
Some of these you don’t even have to touch once you get going, like the XSE’s dual-zone automatic climate control. Just set it up and let the system do the work in maintaining the perfect temperature, mile after mile.
You won’t hear any complaints from your passenger riding shotgun, as they also get to enjoy heated power seats, comfy armrests, and full access to the touchscreen at the center of the dash. Even the passengers in the rear seats enjoy the ultimate in comfort, with nearly as much head and leg room as in the front seat.
Tons of Entertainment Potential
Although the four-cylinder XSE only came with the basic Entune infotainment system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen, this trim level opened the doors to entertainment upgrades galore. Buyers could add the convenience package to increase the touchscreen size to 7 inches and add the Entune App Suite. Along with that optional upgrade, they received navigation plus wireless charging for their smartphone. Even better, this package came standard on the V6 XSE and XLE models.
To keep the music pumping hour after hour, the 10-speaker JBL audio system is a must-have. This was also an option only available on these higher trim level cars. When combined with the app suite, the speakers can bring all your favorite forms of entertainment to life.
You can listen to albums, podcasts, and much more through iHeartRadio and Pandora or tune into sports games live at your leisure. Of course, for background music, the SiriusXM satellite radio and HD radio functions always come standard on all trims.
Pros and Cons of the 2015 Camry XSE
When the 2015 Camry XSE rolled across the stage at the New York International Auto Show, the adoration for this all-new iteration was palpable, and for good reason. But not everyone is going to love it as much as Toyota’s Vice President Bill Fay. So, to make sure you are getting just the right fit, look over these pros and cons to see what tickles your fancy about this midsize ride.
Pros:
- Comfortable bucket seats that are great for long trips
- Ample leg space in the rear seat, even for people above 5’8”
- Sleek styling that makes this model look as good as it performs
- Lots of trunk space, making it an excellent road trip machine
- Rear seats that flip down for even more cargo room
- Robust exterior that doesn’t scratch or dent easily
- Minimal repair needs when properly maintained
- Good gas mileage while driving on the highway and in the city
- Ample cupholders that allow everyone to stay well hydrated
- Surfaces that are all quick and easy to clean with the right products
Cons :
- Lacks power steering fluidity during spirited driving
- Power seats that don’t have a memory function
- Stock tires that don’t last as long as they should
- Paint peeling issues that can ruin the finish
- Big blind spot near the driver’s door
- Touchscreen that can develop unresponsive areas
- No push-to-start functionality
- Gas pedal that requires a light touch when taking off
- Defrost that can take a long time to clear the windows
- High hood line that makes it hard to see low objects ahead
Across the board, the 2015 Camry earns 4.54 out of 5 stars over 700 reviews. Owners applaud its performance, attractive styling, and comfort above all else. They are also pretty enamored with its safety and reliability.
As with all cars, problems do crop up from time to time, detracting from the ownership experience. But they seem pretty few and far between, especially when compared with performance cars. Overall, the 2015 Camry XSE offers an excellent balance that makes it just as useful as a family car or a pleasure cruiser.
Comprehensive Spec Overview
If you’re still on the fence about this agile and stylish family car, let the specs lead the way. You’ll see just why it tops the list of the 2015 Affordable Midsize Cars created by U.S. News.
- Price Range: $14,085 to $17,420
- Drive Type: Front-wheel drive
- Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
- Ground Clearance: 6.1 inches
- Base Curb Weight: 3,480 pounds
- Body Style: 4-door sedan
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Engine Options: 2.5L I4 or 3.5L V6
- I4 Engine Output: 178 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. torque
- I4 EPA-Estimated mpg: 25 city, 35 highway
- V6 Engine Output: 268 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. torque
- V6 EPA-Estimated mpg: 21 city, 31 highway
- Fuel Tank Size: 17 gallons
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic with overdrive
- Brakes: 4-wheel discs with ABS
- Cabin Space: 101.3 cubic feet
- Trunk Space: 15.4 cubic feet
At $14,085 to $17,420, the 2015 Toyota Camry XSE not only offers all you could want from a sporty people hauler, it’s a great deal, too. While you don’t have to break the bank to bring this midsize car into your life, you do need to look for one that has been consistently maintained.
Like most cars, Camrys thrive when given regular attention, bolstering their natural reliability in amazing ways. So, make sure to check the service history on the car you want to buy — then make that purchase with confidence that you are getting your money’s worth.
