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The 2012 Toyota Camry will be the first fully redesigned Camry since model-year 2007. It’ll remain a roomy, front-wheel-drive midsize four-door sedan but have new styling, additional features, and more efficient engines. The redesigned 2012 model kicks off the seventh design generation of the Camry, a car that’s parlayed deceptively ordinary design into extraordinarily wide appeal.

Should you wait for the 2012 Toyota Camry or buy a 2011 Toyota Camry? Wait for the 2012 Camry if you want the advances in features, fuel economy, and safety that come with an all-new design. Waiting for the 2012 Camry means your car’s styling will look current for several years, and it’ll be worth more at resale than the outgoing 2011 Camry. Buy a 2011 Camry if you need a sound transportation value today and don’t put a premium on the latest looks or technology. The 2011 Camry still is an outstanding family sedan. It comes with Toyota’s unintended-acceleration-mitigation modifications. And it benefits from generous factory incentives unlikely to be offered on the 2012 models.

Styling: For a preview of the 2012 Toyota Camry styling, look to themes evident on the Toyota Venza and the re-engineered 2011 Toyota Avalon. Venza is Toyota’s new-age crossover wagon. Avalon is essentially a stretched version of the Camry sedan. Both have design roots in Toyota’s midsize-car architecture. Their ensemble of horizontal-blade grilles and swept-back headlamps are very likely a rough preview of the 2012 Camry’s front end. The 2012 Camry’s rump should reflect elements introduced on the 2011 Avalon, namely sculpted forms bookended by large taillamps that wrap into the sides of the rear fenders. Look for the 2012 Camry to get some trendy “light-pipe” detail illumination front and rear. And expect slightly flared lower body sides that better suggest a road-hugging stance. Do not anticipate major changes in this four-door sedan’s size or general silhouette. The 2012 Camry probably will be slightly wider than the outgoing model. But in overall length, it should remain about mid-pack in the midsize-car field. Toyota is, however, apt to stretch the 2012 Camry’s wheelbase. Wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear axles and a prime factor in how much space a car can devote to the passenger compartment The 2007-2011-generation Camry achieved one of the segment’s roomiest cabins despite having one of its shortest wheelbases. Chalk that up to inspired packaging. But given the opportunity to redesign the Camry, Toyota probably will make things a little easier on itself with a bit more wheelbase, and that should translate into still more passenger leg room. Even within the conservative midsize-sedan class, the drift is to lower rooflines and laid-back windshields for sleeker styling and improved aerodynamics. The need to maximize fuel economy by minimizing wind resistance means the 2012 Camry certainly will exhibit some areo tricks. But don’t expect a radically reduced roofline – that would jeopardize passenger head room and run contrary to this car’s primary mission as a spacious family sedan.

Mechanical: Just as the 2012 Toyota Camry is likely to remain deceptively roomy it’ll probably be mechanically unadventurous — at least in terms of gaudy horsepower figures or cutting-edge suspension design. Indeed, Camry’s knack for over-delivering on ordinary specifications is a big reason for its wide appeal: this has been America’s top-selling passenger car for virtually each year of the past decade. Camry is honed to achieve an impressive level of refinement. And given its modest aspirations, even its performance is laudable. The 2012 Camry will retain front-wheel drive, which concentrates the mass of the engine and transmission in the nose of the car. That’s best for efficient packaging. And by concentrating weight over the tires that also propel the car, it aids traction in rain and snow. Front-wheel drive seldom matches the handling balance of rear-wheel drive. But Camry’s aim is a predictable, easy-to-drive nature. There’s no reason to doubt the 2012 Camry will continue to meet that goal, though Toyota would quiet some critics if it supplied the new car with more precise steering feel and put a bit more sinew in the suspension. Under the hood, expect Toyota to replace the outgoing Camry’s 169-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder with the notably stronger 2.7-liter four already available in the Venza; there, it’s rated at 182 horsepower. Toyota would be hard-pressed to improve upon Camry’s available V-6 engine, a stout, smooth 3.5-liter that continues duty in a wide variety of the automaker’s vehicles, including some in its luxury Lexus line. Expect a version of that V-6 to return in the 2012 Camry and continue at around 268 horsepower. Four-cylinder 2012 Camrys might again be offered with a six-speed manual transmission. They’ll certainly return with a six-speed automatic, which accounts for the lion’s share of sales. Expect a six-speed automatic to again be the sole transmission for the V-6. The possibility of a 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid is an open question. Combining a gas four-cylinder engine and an electric motor powered by a self-charging on-board battery system, the Camry Hybrid has been a steady but low-volume presence throughout the sixth-generation run. All 2012 Camrys will come equipped with Toyota’s latest safety features. These include the override system that automatically cuts signals from the throttle if the brake and accelerator are applied simultaneously. Also in place for the 2012 Camry will be Toyota’s new Star Safety System. Designed as a comprehensive aid to vehicle control, it integrates the actions of Toyota’s Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) antiskid system to combat sideways slides, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) to improve control in emergency stops, and traction control to reduce wheel spin on take-offs.

Features: Expect the 2012 Toyota Camry to continue with the sort of model range that’s so effectively penetrated most every layer of the midsize-car firmament. It should again begin with an equivalent of the 2011 Camry’s CE model, which Toyota occasionally refers to as the “Standard” or “base” Camry. From there, the 2012 Camry roster should ascend through the popular LE trim and top out at the equivalent of today’s XLE level. Though it was not a big seller, Toyota probably sees a need to again have a sporty model in the lineup. This role has been played by the Camry SE, which featured tauter suspension tuning and unique trim inside and out and was available with the V-6 or a 179-horsepower version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder. If a 2012 Camry Hybrid is again part of the lineup its basic level of equipment should place it between the LE and XLE. Standard features on every 2012 Toyota Camry will include air conditioning, height-adjustable driver’s seat, tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, and power windows, locks, and mirrors. Split-folding rear seatbacks also should return to enhance cargo versatility, and Toyota could pull a feature from the 2011 Avalon and equip the Camry XLE with rear seatbacks that recline to enhance passenger comfort. It also could give every 2012 Camry an audio system that includes USB linking for iPods and other MP3 devices, as well as Bluetooth hands-free cell-phone and music-steaming interface. That sort of connectivity is increasingly standard in Camry’s competitive set and has been available but not standard on all Camry models. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, power sunroof, and remote engine start will remain available as standard or optional, depending on trim level. A navigation system controlled by touch-screen icons and voice command is likely to remain the province — as standard or optional — of upper-level 2012 Camry models. Toyota could also bring Camry abreast of some of rivals by adding such features as lane-departure warning and outside mirrors with turn-signal repeaters. Same goes for a backup camera that displays on a portion of the rearview mirror. That would supply a safety adjunct even if the car isn’t equipped with the navigation screen.

Pricing for the 2012 Toyota Camry won’t be announced until shortly before the car goes on sale, but a base price range of around $20,300-$29,900 is almost guaranteed. That’s where the bulk of midsize-car business is done and where Camry has delivered great value. (All base prices in this review include the manufacturer’s mandatory destination fee. For 2011 Toyota cars, that fee is $750. The fee may vary for Toyotas purchased in Southeastern and Gulf states.)

In general, the 2012 Camry CE model should start around $21,400 with automatic transmission. One benefit of having a manual-transmission version in the lineup would be a starting price below $20,500 or so – great for snaring buyers conducting price-based Internet searches.

Estimated base price for the 2012 Toyota Camry LE with the four-cylinder engine is around $22,000 with manual transmission, around $23,000 with automatic. Toyota’s track record would suggest the V-6 would continue as an extra-cost upgrade starting at this rung on the model ladder. The 2012 Camry LE with the V-6 engine would likely be priced from around $25,700 and come only with automatic transmission.

Toyota has wisely enabled buyers to purchase the top-line Camry model with the four-cylinder engine. That ought to continue, with the 2012 Camry XLE starting around $27,000. Toyota could be challenged to keep the base price of the 2012 Camry XLE with the V-6 under $30,000, though it may consider that necessary to satisfying marketing and advertising goals. As the top-of-the-line model, the XLE has included in its base price such features as automatic transmission, dual-zone automatic climate control, power moonroof, power driver and passenger seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated mirrors, and Homelink integrated garage-door transmitters. Leather upholstery as a standard features has been exclusive to the XLE V-6 Camry. Of course, options would drive prices higher for all these models.

If the lineup again includes a 2012 Camry SE or similar sporty model expect it to start around $23,500 in four-cylinder/ manual-transmission form and range to around $27,000 with a V-6 and automatic. If a gas-electric model is again part of the lineup, look for 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid prices to start around $27,500.

EPA fuel-economy estimates for 2012 models were not released in time for this review. Don’t expect 2011 Toyota Camry mileage ratings to vary greatly from the 2010 numbers, though Toyota will feel pressure to improve upon what are already praiseworthy figures for a roomy family sedan.

The 2011 Camry with both the 169- and 179-horsepower versions of the four-cylinder engine was among the highest-mileage midsize cars, with EPA ratings of 22/33 mpg (city/highway) for manual transmission, 22/32 with the automatic. Even if Toyota gives the 2012 Camry the 2.7-liter four-cylinder, these ratings should hold or even climb by a mile-per-gallon or two. The reason? Even though the 2.7-liter is more powerful than the 2.5, it has from more sophisticated valvetrain and fuel-delivery technology, which benefits mileage.

In turn, expect the 2012 Toyota Camry with the 3.5-liter V-6 to benefit from similar upgrades given the latest versions of this engine. That should gain at minimum one mpg city/highway and project to ratings of 20/29 or 21/30 mpg.

Toyota continues to use the 2011 Camry Hybrid’s powertrain in the $35,000 Lexus HS250h, which was introduced for model-year 2010 and is advertised as America’s first hybrid-only luxury car. Teaming an electric motor with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gas engine for a net 187 horsepower, this hybrid system can run either one or both its power sources and requires no plug-in charging. If a 2012 Camry Hybrid returns with a similar setup, look for EPA ratings of at least 33/34 mpg. All 2012 Camrys will again use regular-grade 87-octane gas.

The 2012 Toyota Camry should be in showrooms in early 2011.

Given Camry’s most recent pace of redesigns, expect the seventh-generation Camry to have a lifecycle spanning six model years, from 2012 through 2016. It likely would receive a freshening for model-year 2015, getting minor styling tweaks and perhaps mechanical updates. That lifecycle is of course dependent upon a variety of conditions beyond Toyota’s control. But Camry is one of the company’s signature products and the automaker isn’t likely to risk falling very far behind its fast-moving competition by delaying improvements to this popular midsize sedan.

Whether the seventh-generation Camry design will include a Toyota Solara model or its equivalent is open to conjecture. Solara came as a two-door coupe or two-door convertible version of the Camry. It was dropped from the lineup after the 2008 model year because of slow sales. Among key rivals, only the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima offer coupe body styles in addition to their sedans. No direct competitor is available as a convertible.

The return of a Camry-based coupe or convertible could help Toyota inject a bit of sportiness into the Camry family without having to compromise the core mission of the sedan. The Venza crossover is one way it has already broadened Camry’s reach without diluting its sedan flavor. Venza plays the role of a Camry station wagon, but goes SUV-trendy with a high seating position and available all-wheel drive.

Honda Accord: Accord is Camry’s archrival – and perennial No. 2 — for the U.S. passenger-car sales crown, but quite different in character. If Camry is the automotive equivalent of a comfortable sweater, Accord is a veritable track suit because of its decidedly athletic road manners. Accord in fact sacrifices some ride comfort and a fair degree of isolation to achieve that edge. But it hardly compromises room, quality, or advanced engineering. Accord is arguably one of the world’s finest cars, especially given its affordable pricing. The lineup consists of sedan and coupe body styles, both with front-wheel-drive and four- and six-cylinder engines. No hybrid is offered. Accord is due a mid-cycle freshening for model-year 2011, with the next all-new version expected in model-year 2013.

Ford Fusion: Adroit updates and the resurgence of the Ford brand itself have put this stylish sedan on the shopping list of thousands of new buyers over the past two years. Fusion isn’t quite as refined as Camry or quite as sporty to drive as an Accord. But it’s well-built and is the only car in this grouping available all-wheel drive as an alternative to front-wheel drive. It offers a competitive selection of four- and six-cylinder engines, but leads the pack with a state-of-the-art hybrid rated at a class-topping 41/36 mpg. Fusion’s next full redesigned won’t come before model-year 2013 or so.

Hyundai Sonata: The Nissan Altima can’t be dismissed as a Camry alternative, but the momentum in the midsize-car class is with this striking-looking sedan from South Korea’s aggressive Hyundai brand. Sonata was redesigned for model-year 2011, growing fully competitive in size and features and perhaps leading the category in head-turning styling. That it comes only with four-cylinder engines also is a harbinger of what will likely be the norm in the midsize class. Six-cylinder engines are falling in popularity in the segment. And with four-cylinder engines ranging from 189 horsepower and a 23/35-mpg rating, to 274 horsepower and a 22/34-mpg rating, Sonata shows that performance and fuel economy are not mutually exclusive. It also suggests hybrids have a future in the category with a gas-electric model rated at 37/39 mpg.