Transportation
Car Review: 2015 Toyota Camry
By Frank S. Washington
NNPA Columnist
DETROIT (NNPA) – The Toyota Camry has become iconic over the years. It stands for reliability, quality and service when something gets out whack and that doesn’t happen often. It has been the best-selling car in the market for 12 years.
In many ways, the family sedan’s toughest competition is from itself. Still, the competition has gotten better. For 2015, Toyota redesigned the Camry. The automaker changed everything, only the roof remained the same.
Camry styling has gotten more aggressive. The bumper and grille along with low profile headlights gave the car a far more distinctive face than past models. The car is also longer, a little bit wider and it had a more dynamic stance.
The body line was more pronounced, the taillights wrapped around into a tapered rear end, giving the Camry a sportier look. An accent line creasing the lower door pulled the car closer to the ground. The Camry can no longer be called dull or dowdy.
It is no secret that Toyota is trying to avoid the quagmire that befell many popular American sedans over the years, an aging owner base. In other words, the new Camry aims to attract younger buyers while holding onto current customers.
Our test car was powered by a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that made 178 horsepower and 170 pound feet of torque. It was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine was really quiet, especially for a four-cylinder. It had enough power to move our Camry smartly. The transmission was buttery smooth and the build quality was sound. Toyota designers gave the Camry a new 4.2-inch TFT screen between the three dimensional gauges. It displayed a wide range of information including tire pressure.
There was not that much wind noise or road noise, even when we traversed the piece of road with the washboard surface, we can hear how well a car is put together and our Camry did nicely. You can also feel how well the suspension is tuned. The Camry’s was good. The 2015 Toyota Camry proved to be a solid sedan. The interior of our test car, we had the Camry XLE, was pretty nice.
Young or old, customers like tight fit & finish. If it is a sedan, there might be the occasional back seat passenger and the Camry could handle four adults easily. The back seats had plenty of headroom and there was really good legroom. But if a third person had to ride the hump, then it could get a little cramped.
We also thought that the polymer (read plastic) used throughout the car could have been a little bit better. It didn’t look cheap but it came close. Still, the car was full of creature comforts that were a bit surprising in this price range. Our test car had a sunroof, nothing overly special about that. But it also had blind side alert, collision alert and a lane departure warning system. There was a rear view camera with cross traffic alert, voice control and adaptive cruise control.
The car also had a smart key with push button start/stop and it was equipped with Toyota’s Entune App system. Of course, there was satellite radio, a navigation system and Bluetooth. There were heated front seats and heated side view mirrors as well.
We thought wireless charging as a $75 option was surprisingly reasonable. Still, it was a bit of a chore finding out whether our smartphone was compatible (we never did). However, as an owner, versus a test driver, a little patience would have revealed the information and you only need it once.
The $33,448 sticker as tested was quite surprising. It was very reasonable for a car that could only be called loaded with equipment. What’s more, it still remains one of, if not the premier four-door midsized sedan in the market.
Frank S. Washington is editor of AboutThatCar.com.
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car reviews
Black-Owned Banks: FDIC Data Reveals Shocking Truth #shorts
FDIC data reveals the truth about Black-owned banks: they’re vital for minority lending, but their numbers are declining. Discover the impact in this must-watch #shorts.
The 6-hour stat is a myth, but where deposits go is real. As of March 31, 2026, there were 24 Black-owned banks, down from 48 in 2001. MDIs lend more mortgages to minority borrowers in lower-income areas. #AutoNetwork
🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/JjNiyzGQjnA
#BlackOwnedBanks #FDIC #FinancialInclusion #CommunityLending
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Is the $110k Defender 130X worth it? Consider entry and exit challenges for passengers before you buy this luxury SUV. #AutoNetwork
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🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/8HFPFmqpCdg
#Defender130X #CarReview #SUV #OffRoad #LuxuryCars
car reviews
Mastering the Used Car Market ep11
Buying a used car can be a smart wealth-building move for Black buyers. Learn the ins and outs of the used car market in this episode.
Buying a used car isn’t settling for less. For a prepared Black buyer, it’s one of the smartest wealth-building moves you can make.
In Episode 11 of The Color of Our Money Is Green, host Roosevelt Gist and co-host Roosevelt break down the used car market from start to finish. Kelley Blue Book says many new cars lose 20 percent or more of their value in the first year. The first owner absorbs that loss. A prepared used car buyer keeps it.
You’ll learn the four places to buy a used car: franchised dealers, independent lots, certified pre-owned programs, and private sellers. We explain what the FTC Buyer’s Guide in the window really means, and why it can override your sales contract.
Then we walk through the five-step research plan to finish before you ever contact a seller. Set fair market value, pull a vehicle history report, check open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, compare ownership costs, and get pre-approved by a Black-owned bank or credit union. That last step matters even more on used cars. Experian found used car loans averaged 11.19 percent in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 6.35 percent for new.
Finally, we cover the independent inspection, the 30-minute test drive, and a word-for-word negotiation script that uses your inspection report to bring the price down.
Our Green Book Moment spotlights Banister Ford of Marlow Heights, a Black-owned dealership in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Get the book, “The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost,” at stan.store/RGist.
This episode is for education only, not legal or financial advice. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Your money is green. Know what it costs.
_______________________________________________________________
AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.
How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost
🌐 AutoNetwork.com
💰 CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.
car reviews
2026 Defender 130 X Is It Worth $110,110 for Your Family?
Is the $110K Defender 130 X the ultimate family SUV? Roosevelt dives into its comfort, capability, and whether it’s truly worth the price.
Is the 2026 Defender 130 X worth $110,110 for your family?
Roosevelt examines the comfort, capability, and everyday compromises that matter before you buy this luxury SUV.
Finished in Gondwana Stone with an Ebony Windsor leather interior, this Defender brings a distinctive look and a substantial price. Its 3.0-liter six-cylinder mild-hybrid engine produces 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
My driving impressions include good acceleration, a comfortable and supportive driver’s seat, and good ride quality. However, I also noticed wind noise around the windshield pillar and outside mirror. A highway test drive deserves a place on your shopping checklist.
Inside, we examine the optional second-row captain’s chairs, passenger access, third-row seating, and usable cargo space. The third row does not fold into a flat floor, so bring your stroller, luggage or measurements when evaluating whether this Defender fits your needs.
Getting in and out also deserves attention. The vehicle sits high, and its grab handles may not solve the entry challenge for every passenger. I explain why your regular passengers should try it before you commit.
We also look at the ClearSight digital rearview mirror, 13.1-inch touchscreen, and parking-camera system. Extended viewing of the digital mirror made me feel dizzy; your experience may differ.
Air suspension, terrain settings, and the listed towing package add capability, but how much will you actually use? With supplied fuel ratings of 16 city, 20 highway, and 18 combined mpg, ownership costs belong in the decision.
Watch for practical checks you can use at the dealership, then tell me: would this Defender fit your daily life?
Subscribe to AutoNetwork for vehicle reviews that help you make informed buying decisions. Like, share, and follow for more advice from Roosevelt before your next purchase.
______________________________________________________________
“The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost” — stan.store/RGist
_______________________________________________________________
AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.
How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost
🌐 AutoNetwork.com
💰 CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.
car reviews
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Car takeoff hesitation? A daylight test drive can reveal visibility issues and charging pad interferences. Watch the full guide to get your car running smoothly!
Trouble with takeoff hesitation? Perform a daylight test drive and observe visibility from your usual driving position. Make sure no cards or keys are left on the charging pads. #AutoNetwork
🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/jxHcleGKCuE
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Despite the 1893 Panic, True Reformers, a Black-owned bank, was the only institution in Richmond to remain open, cashing every check.
During the financial panic of 1893, True Reformers, a Black-owned bank, was the sole institution in Richmond to remain operational, honoring every single check. #AutoNetwork
🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/JjNiyzGQjnA
#TrueReformers #BlackHistory #FinancialHistory #1893Panic
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