The Toyota Camry is not only America’s favorite car, but has long been the benchmark for mid-size family sedans. But, in recent years, recalls, natural disasters, and new rivals like the Hyundai Sonata, have put the Camry on the defensive. Well, now the Camry is switching to offense with an all new 2012 edition. So let’s see if the Camry should stay a winner.

The 7^th generation, 2012 Toyota Camry aims to keep you safe, secure, but also entertained during your efficient everyday drive. That last part foretells an alteration in Camry philosophy as Toyota wants this new era sedan to attract a younger, more tech savvy, as well as environmentally conscience, family car buyer. But, the new Camry has to first appeal to the visual senses before it can lure more youthful customers into the showroom. Rather than go for a swoopy look like the Hyundai Sonata, the Camry designers took an edgy, if still very evolutionary path.

Our Red Metallic Camry SE test car exudes modern cues with strong character lines, flatter sides, and a wider stance. The front end looks ready to inhale the road with an aggressive, spoiler-style, three port lower inlet. The wide, sharply contoured headlights connect a shorter mesh grill. Other Camrys, including the Hybrid, have an attractive two-bar chrome grille and a large single port lower opening. Wedgy fog lights are standard only on the SE and XLE. With a full length shoulder line up top, rocker panel extensions below, supported by handsome 18-inch alloys, the SE’s profile looks appropriately sporty. Same for the rear view with a trunk lid spoiler, sculpted lower facia, and dual chrome exhaust tips. Other models are less overt, but all include huge, talon-shaped tail lamps that are definitely distinctive.

Unlike newer competitors the Camry still offers a V6. The carryover 3.5-liter in our SE rates 268-horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. The base engine is the familiar 2.5-liter I4 with 178-horsepower and 170 pound-feet. Both the 4 and 6 are manual mode 6-speed automatic only, although the SE does add paddle shifters. The Hybrid’s 2.5-liter has been revamped for more efficiency, with a combined hybrid drive CVT output of 200-horsepower, a boost of 13.

Hybrid fuel economy jumps to 43 City and 39 Highway, now handily beating the Ford Fusion Hybrid. But, that’s due more to the new Camry losing weight, honing aerodynamics, and adding more efficient tires, than just powertrain tweaks. Even with carryover engines the I4 government ratings of 25 City and 35 Highway are up 3 mpg each, with the V6 gaining one each at 21 City and 30 Highway.

Every new Camry generation brings more comfort and luxury. While both exterior and interior dimensions have barely changed, the cabin feels bigger and is richer. The handsome dash is dressed with better materials and even real stitching. Details are more artful. The hooded, overlapping gauges with twin LED readouts are crystal clear. Switches are oversized and easy to reach. The user friendly center console puts the shifter and cupholders side-by-side. Bluetooth is now standard on all Camrys, along with a USB port with full iPod integration. But, a backup camera is an option.

SE and XLE V6 Camry’s includes a 6.1 inch touch screen for navigation, stereo, trip functions, and Entune. Entune, Toyota’s new multimedia system, links with smart phones for apps access to and Pandora and Bing as well as traffic, weather, and sports schedules. 10 airbags protect all those front and rear, while all seats more comfortable. Rear legroom is up slightly in the back, with standard split 60/40 folding seatbacks. Cargo volume is up slightly to a reasonable 15.4 cubic feet.  

Driving alongside the Columbia River and on the twisty roads near Roslyn, Washington, we were impressed with the Camry’s effortless ride and competent composure. With the hybird’s electric steering now across the board, we found quick response and good feedback. The front strut, rear dual link suspension is up to every mission this car should typically endure. The car is also amazingly quiet. Our SE is the sportiest model, with a firmer suspension tuning and tauter ride, yet it still delivered a drive you can handle all day without fatigue.

And, here’s more good news. Most 2012 Toyota Camry prices are the same or lower than last year. The high volume LE drops $200 to $22,500. The SE at $23,000 is $965 less, while the XLE dives $2,000 to $24,725. Even the Camry Hybrid begins lower at $25,900, or $1150 less than before.

The 2012 Toyota Camry continues as a well focused solution to American family sedan needs. Only now it’s younger looking, more luxurious, more tech-savvy and more fuel efficient, plus for core buyers, less expensive. If that doesn’t put rivals on the defensive, we don’t what will.