The Toyota Camry, a perennial favorite for its reliability and practicality, underwent a redesign in 2012. For those considering a used vehicle, particularly the 2017 Toyota Camry Le, understanding its safety features is paramount. Notably, starting with 2014 models built after December 2013, Toyota implemented crucial front structure modifications to enhance occupant protection in challenging small overlap frontal crashes.
These improvements are critical because small overlap crashes, where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts an object, present a unique challenge to vehicle safety structures. To identify when a specific 2017 Toyota Camry LE was manufactured, you can check the certification label typically located on the driver’s side door or the adjacent B-pillar.
Further enhancing safety, 2015 models and onwards, including the 2017 Toyota Camry LE, featured lengthened side curtain airbags. This enhancement was specifically designed to provide even better occupant protection in the same demanding small overlap frontal crash scenario. The effectiveness of these side airbags was evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) based on a test conducted by Toyota on a 2015 Camry. All other safety assessments and ratings are derived from an IIHS test performed on a 2014 Toyota Camry LE manufactured after the front structure upgrade.
The results of the IIHS small overlap frontal crash test for the 2017 Toyota Camry LE (based on the 2014 model test with front structure modifications) are as follows:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Acceptable |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/thigh | Good |
| Lower leg/foot | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
Action shot during the Institute’s small overlap frontal crash test.
The “Good” rating signifies a high level of safety performance in this demanding crash scenario. Looking closer at the driver’s survival space, the post-crash analysis provides further insights.
The dummy’s position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver’s survival space was maintained reasonably well in the Institute’s test.
The dummy’s position after the impact demonstrates that the survival space for the driver was maintained effectively. This is a crucial factor in minimizing potential injuries in a real-world crash. Moreover, the extent of intrusion into the driver’s side was also evaluated.
Except for door hinge pillar deformation and parking brake pedal movement (pedal not visible), intrusion into the driver’s space was reasonably well controlled, and risk of injuries to the dummy’s legs and feet was low (Institute test car shown).
Except for some deformation in the door hinge pillar and movement of the parking brake pedal, intrusion into the driver’s space was well-managed. This controlled intrusion suggests a low risk of injuries to the legs and feet in a similar crash.
Technical measurements for this test
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN1349 |
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 16 |
| Footrest (cm) | 8 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 5 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 6 |
| Parking brake (cm) | 17 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 2 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Steering column | 2 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 8 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 10 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 9 |
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN1349 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 126 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.4 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 22 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.30 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 20 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 1.5 |
| Right | 1.0 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 3 |
| Right | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.80 |
| Right | 0.40 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 3.6 |
| Right | 2.1 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 52 |
| Right | 35 |
In conclusion, the 2017 Toyota Camry LE, and models within the 2015-2017 range, demonstrate robust safety performance in small overlap frontal crashes, earning a “Good” rating from IIHS. The structural enhancements and improved side airbag coverage contribute to effective occupant protection, making the 2017 Toyota Camry LE a safe and reliable choice in its class.
