​​Driving a 2026 Toyota Camry XSE with All-Wheel Drive in The Snow​

Remember the days when your only option was a sedan? You’d pack it full of family or friends and head up the mountains to Mammoth or Lake Arrowhead. Even with tire chains, the ride up into the San Bernardino Mountains was a challenge for even the brazen, especially on icy and snowy roads. That is why buyers have gravitated to SUVs. Toyota has a great line of them. There is one that will suit your needs.  

However, there are those of us who still want a car. We want one that will handle the occasional snowfall in the desert or recreate that epic drive up into the mountains. That is where the 2026 Toyota Camry comes in.  

Since the last model year, a Camry has been available with a combination of the standard hybrid driveline and the option of all-wheel drive. It is one of many Toyota models available with the traction you need to get through the roughest days.  

The Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive system is paired with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine and two permanent magnet electric motor generators, one at each axle. The system sends the necessary torque distribution between the two axles based on driving conditions. This system assists in power takeoff from a stop, overall handling, and stability. 

When the system detects a slippery section of road or a loss of grip on any given tire, added torque is sent to the rear wheels, delivering the necessary traction to keep your 2026 Camry on the road within your lane. The system is designed to make the driver more confident when navigating a road during a desert rainstorm or an icy stretch in the mountains.  

You also get extra performance from the hybrid driveline itself. Compared to front-drive models, there is 232 net horsepower available to get you on your way. It can also return superb fuel economy, rated at 43 MPG across the board. That translates into a range of 553 miles on a single tank.  

While the all-wheel drive system on any Camry trim is a real show-stopper, you will love the rest of what it offers you while you traverse in our unpredictable climate. On the XSE grade, you can select red leather-trimmed seats, a set of 19-inch smoked gray alloy wheels, the 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity, and a wireless device charging pad. For an immersive experience as they travel into our winter months – and year-round – the available 9-speaker JBL Premium Audio system is a great option.  

When the weather is dry, the enhanced sport-tuned shock absorbers and springs take the XSE into enthusiast territory. Need a run through the mountains? The 2026 Camry XSE will put a huge smile on your face.  

Did you know that the 2026 Camry is available in a Nightshade Edition? This additional package for this model year features dark-finished accents inside and out.  

There is so much more we can say about the 2026 Camry. It’s your turn to discover what this best-selling sedan has to offer you. Contact us at Valley Hi Toyota for a tour of the 2026 Camry. You may just love it – and take it up into the mountains when the peaks are full of snow.