Toyota Camry, Venza Dial Up Style Factor for 2023
Toyota fans looking for extra flair will have more options to choose from for 2023. More specifically, the Venza hybrid crossover and the popular Camry sedan both get styling updates.
The former joins other Toyota models in offering a darker-looking Nightshade Edition. Available in Celestial Black, Wind Chill Pearl or Ruby Flare Red, this model features acrylic front grille trim, black-painted outer mirror caps, door handles, rocker panels and available black roof rails. The lower bumpers are complemented by smoked chrome accents, the 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels sport a gloss black finish, and the rear badges are blacked out.
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The available Star Gaze panoramic roof, whose electrochromic glass technology allows drivers to switch from transparent to frosted modes within seconds using the ON/OFF button, is available on the new Nightshade trim, too.
Meanwhile, all 2023 Venza models are upgraded to Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. What does it mean? Well, for example, the pre-collision system features enhancements over the previous generation, including the ability to detect an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian at intersections when making a turn. Emergency steering assist is an additional function designed to detect pedestrians and stabilize the driver’s emergency evasive steering manoeuvres and help prevent lane departure.
There are some equipment revisions across the lineup for 2023. All Venzas get a new multimedia system, which is more responsive and more user-friendly. It comes with an intelligent voice assistant, several cloud-based features and services, over-the-air software updates and the ability to pair two different phones at once via Bluetooth. The centre touchscreen is either 8 inches or 12.3 inches depending on the model, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also included.
The Venza’s powertrain is unchanged, of course. A 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine combines with three electric motors to deliver 219 net horsepower and burn as little as 6.1 L/100 km.
Bronze for Camry
While its closest rival, the Honda Accord, will be completely redesigned for 2023, the current-generation Toyota Camry soldiers on for at least one more year. It debuts a refreshed Nightshade Edition with new black-trimmed headlights and taillights, plus 19-inch matte bronze alloy wheels reminiscent of those on the Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition. Two body colours are available in Canada, but sadly the new Reservoir Blue shown here is not one of them.
Also, the Camry will have to wait to receive the new multimedia system and larger screens (currently 7 or 9 inches in size). Under the hood, customers have the choice of a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine (up to 206 horsepower), 3.5-litre V6 (301 horsepower) and hybrid powertrain (208 horsepower, 5.1 L/100 km). Only the first one can be paired with all-wheel drive.
Canadian pricing for 2023 Toyota Venza and Camry will be announced closer to launch, which should be around late summer or early fall.