The Toyota Camry, a consistently popular sedan, underwent a redesign in 2007, marking a significant shift in its safety features. This review focuses on the side impact safety performance of the 11 Toyota Camry models, specifically those manufactured between 2007 and 2011. It’s important to note that these ratings do not extend to the redesigned 2012 and later models. Furthermore, the findings are also applicable to the Lexus ES 350, the luxury counterpart of the Camry, within the same model years (2007-2012 before its redesign).
Side Impact Crash Test: Overall “Good” Rating
The 2007-2011 Toyota Camry earned the highest rating of “Good” in side impact crash tests. This evaluation considers various critical aspects of vehicle safety and occupant protection during a side collision.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
This “Good” rating signifies robust performance across all measured criteria. Let’s delve into what contributes to this top safety score.
Structure and Safety Cage Integrity
A “Good” rating for “Structure and safety cage” indicates that the Camry’s structural design effectively maintained its integrity during the side impact test. This means the occupant compartment remained largely intact, reducing the risk of intrusion and injury.
Driver and Rear Passenger Injury Measures: Comprehensive Protection
The evaluation meticulously measures potential injuries to both the driver and rear passenger dummies, focusing on critical body regions:
- Head and Neck: Both driver and rear passenger received a “Good” rating for head and neck protection. This is crucial as head and neck injuries can be severe in side-impact collisions.
- Torso: Similarly, “Good” ratings for torso protection for both occupants highlight the effectiveness of the Camry’s side airbags and structural design in minimizing chest injuries.
- Pelvis and Leg: “Good” ratings in pelvis and leg protection further demonstrate the vehicle’s ability to mitigate lower body injuries in side impacts.
Head Protection: Side Curtain Airbags
Crucially, both driver and rear passenger head protection were rated “Good”. This is largely attributed to the standard inclusion of front and rear head curtain airbags in the 2007-2011 Toyota Camry models. These airbags deploy from the roofline in a side impact, creating a protective cushion for the head and preventing contact with hard structures of the vehicle.
A post-side impact crash test view of a 2007 Toyota Camry, illustrating the point of impact with the deformable barrier. This test assesses the vehicle’s structural integrity and safety performance during a side collision.
Image showing the interior of a 2007 Toyota Camry following a side impact crash test. The doors have been removed to reveal the deployed side airbags and the extent of damage to the occupant compartment, demonstrating the airbags’ role in cushioning occupants.
The images above visually represent the side impact crash test and the deployment of side airbags, crucial safety features contributing to the “Good” rating.
Technical Measurements: Intrusion and Injury Data
Beyond the overall ratings, detailed technical measurements provide a deeper understanding of the Camry’s performance in the side impact test.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side):
| Test ID | CES0622 |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -16.0 |
| Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. |
This measurement indicates the extent of intrusion into the occupant compartment on the driver’s side. A negative value signifies that the deformation stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, which is a positive indication of structural integrity.
Driver Injury Measures:
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES0622 |
| Head HIC-15 | 182 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.5 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.1 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 41 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 2.0 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 35 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 29 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.00 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.39 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 2.3 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 3.0 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 5.0 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.3 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 71 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 29 |
Passenger Injury Measures:
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES0622 |
| Head HIC-15 | 68 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.2 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.8 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 16 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 0.9 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 27 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 23 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.04 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.38 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.9 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 4.0 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.2 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 57 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 23 |
These tables present detailed measurements of forces and deflections recorded on crash test dummies during the side impact. Lower values generally indicate better performance and reduced risk of injury. For instance, the Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) scores for both driver and passenger are relatively low, suggesting good head protection.
Close-up image showing greasepaint on the driver-side crash test dummy’s head. This greasepaint marks the points of contact with the side curtain airbag during the crash, illustrating how the airbag protects the head from hitting hard vehicle structures in a side impact.
Detailed image of greasepaint markings on the rear passenger crash test dummy’s head, indicating contact with the side airbag. This visual evidence confirms the effective deployment and protective function of the side airbag for rear occupants in the 2007 Toyota Camry during a side impact collision.
The greasepaint on the dummies, as seen in the images, visually confirms the role of the side curtain airbags in head protection.
Conclusion: A Safe Choice for Side Impact Protection
The 2007-2011 Toyota Camry demonstrates a high level of side impact safety, earning a “Good” overall rating. This is supported by its robust structural design, effective side airbags, and favorable injury measurements. For those considering a vehicle in this model year range, the 11 toyota camry and its counterparts offer reassuring side impact protection for both drivers and passengers. Remember that this review applies specifically to models from 2007 to 2011, and the Lexus ES 350 up to 2012 before their respective redesigns.
