Slide behind the wheel of the sleek and redesigned 2015 Toyota Camry SE, a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder sedan with a Hybrid option and a long history of pleasing drivers.
For more than thirty years, the Camry has cruised highways across the globe. The Royal Wedding might have dominated headlines in 2011, but for Toyota enthusiasts, it was the sporty Camry SE that turned heads and quickly became a driver favorite.
Fast forward four years to 2015, and Toyota does it again. The 2015 Camry SE is a member of the line’s seventh generation with a new look, eco-friendly engineering, and enhanced technology. In its debut year, more than 420,000 Camrys were sold in the United States.
From the Toyota Pressroom on April 16, 2014:
“In 2011, Toyota launched the sporty Camry SE grade… The SE model now accounts for 45 percent of the Camry sales mix, proving that drivers want sportier models.”
Senior Vice President of Automotive Operations for Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. commented in the same press release:
“Customers today love the durability, quality, and value that the Camry represents, but they are looking for a little more style, comfort, and performance, and this 2015 Camry has all of the above…
This is the new Camry, and it’s coming from the new Toyota.”
SE Specs
Diving into the specs for the 2015 Camry SE, it’s essential to look at what’s powering this popular sedan with front-wheel drivetrain. Under the hood sits a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with 178 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 170 lb.-ft. of torque.
Its six-speed automatic transmission offers downshifts that are “commendably responsive” states Edmunds, “which is noteworthy given that some rivals’ automatic transmissions are lethargic in this regard for the sake of fuel economy.”
As for the SE’s EPA city/highway fuel economy, the 2015 model rolled out with 25-city and 35-highway.
For a midsize sedan, the 17-gallon gas tank serves well for long road trips and the daily stop-and-go traffic for commuters.
Ready to talk tires: The SE rolled out with P215/55VR17 and a steel spare wheel. Let’s now look at how the 2015 Camry SE measures up with other numbers. It has a curb weight of 3,300 pounds and a wheelbase of 109.3-inches, which is about an inch shorter than the 2015 Hyundai Sonata, but two inches more than the 2015 Chevy Malibu.
Rounding out the base numbers, the SE has a length of 190.9-inches, a width of 71.7-inches, and its height comes in at 57.9-inches or nearly five feet. Drivers and the front seat passengers can enjoy ample headroom, between 37.9-inches and 38.8-inches.
The Camry SE’s front legroom stretches to nearly 42-inches, while the front shoulder room spans 58-inches, matching the Sonata’s shoulder space. The 2015 Camry SE easily seats five and includes a rear center three-point safety belt.
Cargo capacity is at 15.4 cubic feet, translating to about four to five medium-sized suitcases or multiple grocery bags.
Engine
The original Celica Camry sold in Japan from 1979 to 1983 was a rear-drive sedan. When the first generation came to the United States, the Camry was available with a 1.8- or 2-liter and a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic.
The seventh-generation Toyota Camry (including the 2015 Camry SE) now sports front-wheel drive and a four cylinder/2.5-liter with a 6-speed automatic transmission. When it was released in 2015, a Hybrid also was available.
The first Camry Hybrid was revealed in 2009 at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), and it featured a 2.4-liter with CVT. However, the 2015 Hybrid SE has a four-cylinder, 2.5-liter with CVT (continuously variable transmission). It was rated with a 40/city and 38/high mph.
While a V6 was available for the Camry in 2015, the four-cylinder sedans made their mark.
Motor Trend reported (via Toyota Camry History) that the four-cylinder Camrys “were able to break under the 8.0-second mark for the first time on their 0-60-mph run.” The four-cylinders also were able to cruise the quarter-mile track at a 15- to 16-second speed range of 86.5 to 89.0 mph.
The Hybrid counterpart did a bit better, hitting 60 mph in about 7.0 seconds. The gas-electric engine Camry ran slightly over 90 mph on the quarter-mile track for a 15-second range.
Features
Toyota hasn’t skimped on safety features with the Camry SE, from airbags to cameras and driver aids to help minimize potentially dangerous situations. There are dual front and rear side airbags, dual front, and rear side curtain airbags, front and rear head airbags, and even front knee airbags. The knee airbags release from the lower dashboard, working to help reduce leg and lower body injuries.
The Camry’s specialized driver aids include adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, a pre-collision system with auto high beams, and a blind spot monitor plus a rear cross-traffic alert system. There is also a run-down feature for the battery (great for colder climates). The direct tire-pressure monitoring system is new for 2015.
Toyota vehicles come standard with the STAR Safety System. The system boasts six safety features:
- Vehicle stability control (VSC)
- Traction control (TRAC)
- Anti-lock disc brakes (ABS)
- Electronic brake distribution (EBD)
- Brake assist (BA)
- Smart stop technology (SST)
The SST feature engages if/when both the accelerator and the brake pedals are pressed simultaneously. The SST recognizes this and kicks in to reduce engine power so the brakes can effectively and safely slow the car to a full stop.
New in 2015 was the 4.2-inch TFT dashboard display. TFT (thin-film transistor) is a type of LCD display that utilizes enhanced technology to provide better images and a sharper contrast. It’s easier on the eyes and a popular feature with Camry drivers.
Entertainment features include Entune Audio, a multimedia bundle with AM/FM CD player, MP3/WMA playback capability, USB port, iPod connectivity, hands-free phone, advanced voice recognition, and Bluetooth to easily stream favorite music, podcasts, and audiobooks.
The SE’s entertainment hub has a 6.1-inch touch-screen with an optional navigation system. The radio’s seek-and-scan feature can be accessed from the steering wheel controls along with the volume.
Kelley Blue Book (KBB) lists the Camry’s wireless charging for devices as one of its favorite features for the 2015 sedan. KBB comments, “Most phones require a special case to take advantage of the feature, but the Camry allows you to just toss your phone into the bin ahead of the transmission selector, and it charges on the go.”
The Camry underwent a full exterior transformation in 2015, with an all-new redesign, except for the roof. Its stance was lengthened and widened for a more athletic look that was capped with an expressive front bumper and a new trapezoidal-shaped grille.
New headlights, a redesign on the sidelines and rear end, plus features like lightly tinted glass and chrome trim for the side windows complete the exterior. New colors for the 2015 Toyota Camry were Celestial Silver Metallic and Ruby Flare Pearl.
Interior
While the exterior of the 2015 SE underwent a transformation, the interior received attention as well. Increased insulation makes the Camry SE one of the quietest on the road. It is a nice feature when listening to GPS directions or simply enjoying music from the Entune entertainment system.
The Camry driver can customize each ride’s comfort with the 8-way power front bucket seats and power lumbar support, ideal when traveling long distances. The passenger seat has 4-way manual controls for comfort, and both seats come with seatback pockets. The front seats come standard with Sport Fabric and SofTex-trim. Not everything is power-controlled, though. The front seat headrests are not power controlled and must be adjusted manually.
Additional standard interior features include but are not limited to:
- Day/night rearview mirror
- Illuminated and locking glove box
- Two 12V DC power outlets
- 60/40 folding rear seat bench (folds front-facing) to create more cargo space
- Manual tilt/telescoping steering column plus a sport-leather wrapped steering wheel
- Passengers in the rear have power windows and convenient cupholders
- Child safety locks
- Under-seat HVAC ducts
- Cargo space lights in the concealed storage area
SE Pricing
U.S News and World Report ranks the 2015 Camry as the Best Affordable Midsize Car and number six in their Used Midsize Cars Under $15K category. U.S. News also reports that “Based on over 4,200 listings, the 2015 Toyota Camry has an average price of about $16,900. The price you pay depends on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, features, and location.”
According to Autotrader, the original MRSP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) for the 2015 Toyota Camry SE listed from $22,970 to $31,370. The Kelley Blue Book Fair Market Range for a used 2015 Camry SE falls in the range of $12,094 to $15,255.
How much does it cost to own a Camry SE? It depends. On average, the first year’s “true cost to own” comes in at about $8,500, and the five-year “true cost to own” is approximately $30,000. Depreciation is the highest cost, about $8,000 over the first five years. Fuel is the next highest cost. Maintenance and repairs over a five-year period are an estimated $7,000. It’s important to remember that daily wear-and-tear costs vary by driver and usage.
Reviews of the 2015 Camry SE
The 2015 Camry SE continues to hold steady in popularity, a reliable sedan at an affordable price.
Professional automotive sites like KBB offer comments like:
- “Have you ever seen a more stylish Camry? We haven’t. Bookended by a bold, eye-catching front end and a nicely detailed rear, the stylish – but not outlandish – Camry is sure to attract new buyers without scaring away longtime devotees.”
- The 2015 Camry SE has more than 240 reviews on Cars.com and has earned 4.6 stars, with 91-percent of the reviewers recommending the Camry. It received the highest possible reliability score and enjoyed solid scores for value, comfort, interior design, exterior styling, and performance.
- Owner reviews on Vehicle History reveal that 2015 Camry owners really like their cars. Out of more than 750 reviews, the 2015 Toyota Camry receives an average of 4.52 stars out of five. Regarding the 2015 Toyota Camry SE, the following 5-star reviews state:
- “Fuel efficiency is good, pickup is fast, and balance of the car is good. It takes less maintenance and best for money. I like this car and suggest to someone to buy in this price range.” (Megha A.)
- “No issues at all so far, minimal maintenance repairs and regular service . . . My car is very roomy and comfortable. Great engine, very powerful.” (Armando M.)
- “Absolutely reliable. Comfort level is good . . . Lots of convenient features, touch screen on the console, automatic locks, and windows.” (Lindsay R.)
The 2015 Toyota Camry SE offers a reliable midsize sedan with decent fuel economy, a sporty exterior, a comfortable interior, and the technology to enhance the overall driving experience.
