Toyota Camry
Beautifully bland |
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By Rick Newman
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Nits: The standard upholstery is one of few Camry features that feel dated. It screams polyester, like hotel furniture.
G forces: The standard 158-horsepower four-cylinder engine, which many mileage-sensitive drivers will likely choose, is peppy and adequate for most situations, with only a bit of lag when starting out at low speeds. The optional V-6 is a feisty 268-horsepower model that will turn your familymobile into a stealth sports sedan.
Gizmology: Very modern digital electronics offer the latest features, and audio controls on the steering wheel are standard. Other controls are within easy reach, with minimal clutter. Various armrests and storage boxes keep you comfortable and your stuff organized.
Kidmarks: The back seat is spacious and easy for kids to climb into. A center armrest with two cupholders is standard. The sizable trunk can hold a big stroller and plenty of kids' gear.
Hot or not: Not. The middle-of-the-road design is appealing but not inspiring.
Pain at the pump: Mileage ranges from 22 mpg/city to 34 mpg/highway. A forthcoming hybrid model will be rated as 40 mpg/city and 38 mpg/highway. More info is at www.fueleconomy.gov.
Crash course: Government crash test ratings: Earns 10 stars out of 10 on front and side crashes; four out of five stars on rollover. Details: www.safercar.gov. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a private testing group, gives the '07 Camry a "good" rating, its highest. Details: www.iihs.org
Standard safety gear: Antilock brakes, advanced front air bags, side-impact air bags, side-curtain air bags, driver's knee air bag.
Price points: Base prices range from $18,270 to $24,425. The forthcoming Camry hybrid will start at $25,900. Price as tested: $24,728. (All prices include delivery.)
More info: www.toyota.com
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Model year tested: 2007
A frustrated General Motors executive said to me not long ago, "When you don't know what to buy, you buy a Toyota Camry." His point was that Toyota's mainstream vehicles may be practical and inoffensive, but they lack passion. Judging by Toyota's success, that's an awfully effective formula.
The Camry, of course, is as close to an Everycar as it gets. Toyota sells about 400,000 a year, which perennially places the Camry neck-and-neck with the Honda Accord for the mantle of best-selling car in America. And Toyota is not about to ruffle that golden goose. So the new Camry, redesigned for model year 2007, is about as careful an evolution from one generation to the next as you'll ever see in an automobile. The new model's proportions are almost identical to the old one's. The creases in the sheet metal are a bit sharper, the wheels are spread a tad farther apart, and the stance is slightly more athletic, but many consumers may have to see the old and new models side by side to notice the changes. Other enhancements are subtle, if important: Side-impact and side-curtain air bags now come standard on every Camry. The V-6 engine, while optional, is more powerful than that on the '06. Upscale models come with a slick six-speed automatic transmission, an upgrade over the old five-speed. Instead of the old standard 15-inch wheels, there are 16-inchers that offer better grip and a sportier feel.
The Camry's many attributes remain the same as well. For a decent price (a well-equipped model lands in the low $20s) the Camry is an utterly unobtrusive ride, quiet, comfortable, and easily maneuverable. It's tender on the highway and easy to maneuver around town or in parking lots. Few cars are as easy to drive. A few improvements in the cabin, such as canted armrests along the doors, improve passenger ergonomics there. Everything is within easy reach. There's nothing sassy about the Camry, and I can't say that driving it was an exhilarating experience. But for millions of motorists, driving is a duty, not a sport. The Camry makes that chore as painless as possible.
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