LOS ANGELES -

When the 2012 Toyota Camry made its debut earlier this week in Los Angeles, it signaled the kickoff to a 20-vehicle onslaught of new and redesigned vehicles from the automaker that will hit U.S. stores over the next year and change, including four others to be launched before 2012, according to a report from Bloomberg.

In rolling out the score of Toyota, Lexus and Scion models between now and early 2013, the manufacturer is aiming to recoup some of its lost presence here in the U.S., as the automaker has been plagued with challenges of all sorts, including numerous recalls and a production disruption from March’s earthquake.

Later this year, the hybrid Prius v wagon, a redesigned Yaris, Scion iQ minicar and different versions of the Tacoma will be launched.

But as U.S. sales boss Bob Carter said, “It really starts with the all-new Camry. Camry is the keystone of the brand. Then the cadence comes faster that I’ve seen in 30 years with Toyota.”

Next year, Toyota will debut two other Prius vehicles, among other models. The broader Prius lineup and the new Camry are believed to be instrumental in restoring Toyota’s quality and safety reputation.

“Those two are key to building back the brand,” Carter added.

Sharing more about the vehicle in a statement earlier this week, Carter noted: “The all-new 2012 Camry blends an evolution of the car’s values — such as comfort, efficiency, reliability and safety — with a more appealing design and engaging driving experience. Competition in the midsize sedan segment is the strongest it’s ever been, and the all-new Camry is designed to maintain its long-standing leadership while also broadening its appeal.”

But how has the model fared in reviews thus far? On the Cars.com Kicking Tires blog, for one, the evaluation was fairly positive.

“Although Camry shoppers will see numerous improvements — slightly better ride and handling, a more luxurious interior and improved fuel economy — there’s the unfortunate reality that the Camry’s introductory price has inflated to $21,995, excluding $760 for destination. That’s $1,800 more than the 2011 Camry,” Colin Bird wrote in the blog.

“But the price increase doesn’t tell the whole story. The new Camry packs a lot more value and is more competitively priced than its predecessor,” Bird added.

Over at AutoTrader.com, the sentiment was equally as favorable.

“The Toyota Camry has long been the automotive equivalent of eating mac-and-cheese while wrapped in a warm blanket in front of a cozy fireplace. Even as the uncertainties and hardships of the past decade have taken their toll on our collective psyches, that comfort quotient is one of the main reasons the Camry has perennially remained America’s best-selling car,” wrote Nick Chambers on the site.

“While maintaining all that down-home comfort, the completely redesigned 2012 Camry is more than just a familiar face. Representing the car’s seventh generation after 28 years in the U.S., it manages to inject a bit of excitement, style and additional value that promise to make this iteration at least as popular as those that came before it,” he added.