The facelifted Camry hit the USA in mid-2020 priced from $25,000 and then made it to Europe in November, but Japan has not received it until now.
The scope of changes is the same as anywhere else, meaning that the front grille becomes larger with chrome inserts at both sides, but no more “beak” in the upper part. The high-end WS version (Worldwide & Sporty), which is only available in Japan and the United States, received new black bumper decals. Other than that, the exterior stays the same.
Things pick up pace inside, where the touchscreen display is now 9 inches across instead of 8 and protrudes from the torpedo. The dashboard graphics is enhanced, and the Safety Sense package (standard for Japan) now includes a sophisticated emergency braking system that can recognize pedestrians and cyclists ahead of the car or next to it (when turning).
In Japan, the sedan still ships only as a hybrid vehicle that combines a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine with a single electric motor and a CVT box. The former is rated at 178 PS (176 hp / 131 kW) and 221 Nm (163 lb-ft) of torque, while the electric add-on contributes another 120 PS (118 hp / 88 kW) and 202 Nm (150 lb-ft). A similar spec is sold in Europe and the States, but the Japanese version is the only one to benefit from an AWD configuration called E-Four. The E-Four adds another electric motor rated at 7.2 PS (7.1 hp / 5.3 kW) and 55 Nm (41 lb-ft) to the rear axle to assist with the initial start and acceleration.
While the Japan-spec Camry comes in five different trim levels, it is also known as the Daihatsu Atlas there. The rebadged sedan is meant exclusively for corporate use and comes in a single middle-ground spec.
Sales have already started at the equivalent of U.S. $33,200 - $44,500 for the Camry and $38,600 – 40,700 for the Atlas.