Camry/Solara

Vehicle: 2012 Toyota Camry SE V6 with Premium Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$32160

Performance: The Toyota Camry, a family sedan crown which has always been considered as a benchmark. Will it still be able to keep this crown despite of all the new competitions?

The powertrains for the 7th generation Camry have been familiar. As the 4-cylinder remains the carryover 2.5 liter 16-valve with 178hp and 180 lb/ft of torque mated with 6-speed automatic. With this engine’s well-honed refinement and responsiveness, this is the engine most would purchase in their Camry. Then there is 3.5 liter V6 DOHC 24-valve, with VVT-i variable valve timing, as with its 4-cylinder silibings. This engine has a good 268 horses and 248 lb/ft of torque at driver’s disposal. In terms of engine smoothness, quietness and refinement; Toyota’s V6 has always been judged as one of the finest in the industry. Its NVH is world-class with engine idling as quiet as many V8 in rivalling firms. On our SE V6 version, it comes with a nifty 6-speed manumatic with paddle shifters on the steering. Given Camry’s rather slate image, having paddle shifters on the steering seems like a dream a decade ago. This paddle shifters have worked exceptionally well without losing the smooth composure one expects from a Camry. Even on full automatic mode, Camry’s 6-speed automatic is sweet and smooth. Not only does the extra gear works decently with comfortable highway cruising. Low 1st and 2nd provide peppy acceleration for both 4 and 6-cylinders. Same goes for having 3rd and 4th for engines working at their sweetspots. What is most impressed is Toyota still keeping its V6 despite of less than 10% taken rate across the family car spectum, despite of many of Camry’s peers have dropped it for whatever reasons. Another area is Toyota has lost some of Camry’s weight. Its 4-cylinder version has lost as much as 150 pounds. Although Camry is not a sports car, having diet has always been good for both performance and economy reasons. That pretty much explains Camry’s light-on-its feet feedback.

How is how the new Camry faces its rivals when it comes to horsepower and torque:

Kia Optima/Hyundai Sonata: 2.4L 4-cylinder 200hp + 168 lb/ft of torque. 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged 270hp + 269 lb/ft of torque
Honda Accord: 2.4L 4-cylinder 190hp + 162 lb/ft of torque. 3.5 V6 271hp + 258 lb/ft of torque
Ford Fusion: 2.4L 4-cylinder 175hp + 172 lb/ft of torque. 3.5 V6 263hp + 249 lb/ft of torque
Chevrolet Malibu: 2.4L 4-cylinder 170hp + 158 lb/ft of torque. 3.6 V6 252hp + 251 lb/ft off torque
Mazda6: 2.5L 4-cylinder 170hp + 167 lb/ft of torque. 3.7 V6 272hp + 269 lb/ft of torque
VW Passat: 2.5L 5-cylinder 170hp + 177 lb/ft of torque. TDI 4-cylinder 140hp + 236 lb/ft of torque. 3.6 V6 280hp + 259 lb/ft of torque

Toyota Camry: 2.5 4-cylinder: 178hp + 180 lb/ft of torque. 3.5 V6 268hp + 248 lb/ft of torque

Except for the fact that Camry’s 4-cylinder is significantly short of power compares to Korean trio, its V6 has more than enough belly to match up its rivals.

Handling: For engineers working on a solid and rigid architecture would give suspension components a great place to hang its hats, Camry has done exactly the same with its improvements. While its never known for handle like a sports sedan, nor its intended to be. The SE version tested with stiffer shocks and springs remain rather softly sprung, if its more confidence-inspiring through the corners than its lesser silibings. There are plenty of body rolls, even if the suspension has taken a set before it settles itself nicely in corners. Terminal understeer isn’t too damn far away, whenever driver nails it through twisties. No matter what the SE designation wants you to think, just don’t consider it as a bona-fida sports sedan. Mind you. Its a comfortable family sedan with sporting looking trim. Thanks to the state-of-the-art stability control which works exceptionally well, in order to eliminate both understeer and oversteer. While the electric power steering continues Camry’s tradition of soft, vague and lack of any driver feedback; it feels surprisingly responsive to driver input. What really exceeds is ride quality. The rebound damping Toyota engineers have done to its suspension really have given a Lexus-like ride on XLE trim while provide equal cushion feel on SE and LE trim levels.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS; Camry has stopped decently well. The stopping distance is short, while pedal feel feels nice and solid. ABS doesn’t step in unnecessarily have added to a sense of confidence on whenever driver nails its pedal.

Interior: If you are regular Directshift reader, you would know Toyota’s interior quality have been got knocked consistently. With the new Camry, Toyota has addressed this issue seriously. Gone with the cheesy and cheap plastic with rough edges, in with classy and soft plastic materials which feel justifying the price tag. The leather material on SE and XLE feel softer and supple without less pleather like. Although it certainly won’t make interior leaders, VW and Audi, lost any sleeps. This is a quantum leap forward its predecessor, when it comes to materials and finishes.

There are plenty of head and legrooms for the rear passengers, which is spacious for a family sedan.

As for luggage space. Despite of Camry’s instrusive trunk hinges, it has a nicely sized trunk with low liftover and minimal side sills. With proper fold-down rear seats even if its not 60/40 variety, its able to swallow anything you can dream of. If you still want more luggage space, Venza and Highlander are possibly better answers than Camry.

Conclusion: The new Camry will continue to serve as a decent family automobile thanks to its decent combination of performance, safety features and superb comfort. Its address of interior quality and weight would be more than welcoming for its target audience, which most likely won’t care. Although its no longer judged as the benchmark, it remains as one of the better ones in this competitive class of mid-sizers. Which is what exactly a Camry is all about.

Competitions:
Chevrolet Malibu
Honda Accord
Hyundai Sonata
Kia Optima
Ford Fusion
Mazda6
VW Passat

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2012 Toyota Camry SE V6
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 3.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 3.5/5

Overall rating: 3/5

Vehicle: 2010 Toyota Camry LE with Touring Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$26970

Performance: The single biggest highlight of Camry’s revision is the 4-cylinder powertrain. While Camry’s 3.5 liter V6 is as sweet as a nut and as smooth as anything else wearing a Lexus badge, the previous 2.4 liter was a bit letdown when it comes to Camry’s hallmark refinement. With the introduction of the 2.5 liter 4-cylinder, which is loosely based on previous 2.4 liter’s engine block, has claimed to address the criticisms we had in the past. This new 2.5 liter 4-cylinder comes with all sorts of advacements like dual VVT-i variable valve timing and is able to meet tier-2/Bin-5 emission standards. That promises to be much greener and more fuel economy motor than the outgoing motor. As for performance goes, its good for 169hp and 167 lb/ft of torque. If you aren’t going for all-out V6 refinement, this is the engine of choice for the Camry. It finally got the refinement and smoothness that Camry used to known for, without having to upgrade to a more expensive V6. Toyota is able to improve the performance and flexability without losing fuel economy. One of the primary reasons is, for 2010, 4-cylinder Camry is upgraded from a 5-speed auto to 6-speed automatic. While our base LE doesn’t come with manumatic as with its SE sillibings. It doesn’t need to consider Camry’s status as an appliance. Thanks to the extra gear and additional hp, Camry’s highway cruising ability is much improved over the earlier car. On the other hand, with low 1st gear and 167 lb/ft of torque available at 4100rpm. It makes this 4 banger Camry a much swifter car off-the-line. With more gears spaced in between these 2, it can use this 169hp more efficiently and effectively with refinement, quietness and smoothness to boot. During on testing, this Camry has an average of 9 liters per 100km, which is pretty good consider its a 3307 lb family sedan.

Handling: While Camry remains based on a solid and sound platform, that has proved to be rattles and flex-free. You won’t expect Porsche-like handling. Camry, first and foremost, is engineered as a comfort-oriented family sedan with luxury intentions right from the start. What is really surprising is how Camry finally comes with a more confidence-inspiring dynamic package than overly softly sprung sedan it used to be. While it remains a very soft and comfortably riding car, Toyota engineers have finally given a touch to better suspension caliberations for slightly less floaty highway ride. The floaty sensation remains on our base LE or luxurious XLE trim but sportier SE, at least, feels a little more sporting. As you would expect from a Toyota, the steering is dead and numb, without any remote driver feedback. There are plenty of understeer and body rolls when pushed. Latter can be describe as pronounced.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, Camry provides decent enough brake feel and modulation. While there remain plenty of nose dive during heavy braking, given its softness, its much better than expected. The stopping distance is short and ABS only steps in necessarily.

Interior: As you would expect from a Camry, it got all the necessary items. Everything else from a clear and analog instrumentation gauges, a logically placed stereo to climate control with large knobs are all very ergonomically designed. Those velour seats are very comfortable. Typical with Camry, those velour hides are thick and very well-made. The 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat combined with tilt/telescope also makes for an easily adjustable driving position.

When it comes to versatility, Camry got 60/40 split fold-down rear seats and a large trunk. Unfortuntely, it still uses instrusive trunk hinges that cut into everything put inside.

Conclusion: It used to be when you are buying a Camry, you have to opt for V6 to get the best of refinement and performance. With the introduction of the new 2.5 liter, one can finally get those merits with the advantage of better fuel economy and lower price. All have done without have to upgrade to more expensive V6 or even Hybrid.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2010 Toyota Camry
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 4/5

Overall rating: 4/5

Vehicle(s): 2007 Toyota Camry LE with Package C
Camry XLE V6
Price as tested: CDN$28510 (LE) CDN$37425 (XLE V6)

Performance: There are 3 engines available in the new Camry. A hybrid version that will be available latter on this year. Then there are the usual suspects which are the 2.4L 4-cylinder DOHC VVT-i that bumps out 158hp and 161 lb/ft of torque, which are plenty considered Camry’s status of life as a family car.

All-new this year is the amusing 3.5L V6 DOHC VVT-i, which have a furious 268 horses and 248 lb/ft of torque. Although V6′s maximum torque is not available until 4700rpm, one won’t feel the lack of torque in the bottom end. In fact, its exactly the opposite. There are just tons of tons of torque whenever one accelerates off-the-line. Its performance outshines many of the so-called sports car in the straight line. Another impressive mechanical aspect is V6′s new 6-speed manumatic transmission. Not only does its shifts are crisp, smooth and responsive. Its gearing is perfect for highway cruising and fuel economy. It only revved 2000 rpm at 100 km/h which is truly impressive. On the other hand, 268 horses are fully messaged at high rev even any complaints. All in an extremely quiet and refined manners that are very Camry-like.

As for the 2.4L 4-cylinder, the addition of 5-speed automatic helps its fuel economy and acceleration. However, it doesn’t seem to be as quiet as the outgoing Camry with the same powerplant. While the refinement and NVH are still highly regarded Toyota standard. It doesn’t seem to be as refined as one expects to be in a Camry.

Handling: While Camry receives a stiffer and stronger platform to hang its front MacPherson Stucts and rear independent suspensions. As well as standard stabilizer bars at both ends. Camry remains of a highway cruiser than a corner eater due to its soft settings. Unlike the outgoing car which had a choppy ride but didn’t gain anything in handling. The new one’s ride quality has a fludity feel that put it on par with any luxurious Lexus. It absorbs every bumps, expansion joints and washboard pavement with ease. That’s despite Toyota engineers still haven’t fully learned on how to apply European suppleness through the suspension. When pushed into a corner, there are plenty of body rolls and understeer. Since Camry is a family sedan, one shouldn’t turned off its Vehicle Stability Control no matter how intrsusive it is. As expected from a Camry, its rack-and-pinion steering remains feel-free and featherweight although responsiveness is fairly acceptable. The most grateful improvement has to be Camry’s typical sublime ride quality is back for good.

Brakes: Camry’s 4-wheel discs, ABS with electronic braking force distribution has performed an equally good job. The pedal feel is decent and easily modulated. The stopping distance is short enough for Camry’s target audience.

Interior: In the previous iteration LE, its oft-criticized cheap switchgears are finally gone. In are the high-quality, classy and even high-tech appearance of LE’s dashboard and switchgears. The HVAC knobs have a tactical and techno feel in its appearance. Its velour seats are comfortable for long journey.

On the other hand, XLE V6 receives wood and aluminum trim instead of the rather drab appearance of LE’s all-grey ambience. While the aluminum trim on the dashboard looks tastefully done, wood trim on the center console simply looks cheap and tacky. The wood trim feels like something out of WalMart plastic toy section. The dual zone automatic climate control is effective and efficient. As expected from Toyota, both manual A/C and automatic climate control have exceptional air conditioning for all passengers. Its leather seats are comfortable, while covered in high-quality materials which are soft and supple to the touch.

Both manual adjustment in LE, 8-way power adjustment in XLE with tilt steering can get driving positions easily found.

The back seat has plenty of head and legroom. You can even seat 3 comfortably on the back seat with space left.

With 60/40 split fold-down rear seats and large cargo space, Camry’s trunk can put almost anything else inside. Toyota is also gentle enough to put standard full-size spare worths a remark. However, the use of instrusive trunk hinges is an absolute no-no for a family sedan costing nearly 30 grand.

Conclusion: Each succeeding Camry is better than the one that replaces, the same goes for the 6th generation. It got more power, more interior space and more of everything. In short, it remains as a Camry used to be which is the most unremarkably perfect appliance in the world.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2007 TOYOTA CAMRY LE/XLE V6
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Performance: 4/5 (LE) 5/5 (XLE V6)
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2/5 (LE) 2/5 (XLE V6)
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5 (LE) 4.5/5 (XLE V6)
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5 (LE) 4/5 (XLE V6)
Cargo/accesibility/layout: 4.5/5 (LE) 4.5/5 (XLE V6)
Value-f0r-money: 4/5 (LE) 3/5 (XLE V6)

Overall rating: 4/5 (LE) 4/5 (XLE V6)

Short review of 2005 Toyota Camry LE
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Price as tested: CDN$24950

The biggest improvement to the Camry during this facelift is ABS becomes the standard feature across the board, including the entry-level LE which used to have this important feature optional. It makes Camry more attactive to buy given most buyers are looking for more active safety feature in a comfortable-riding family sedan. The use of Optitron electro-luminescent gauges also make the interior looks and feels more attactive, however, the center knobs for HVAC still feels cheap even if Toyota claimed they have improved the materials.

In terms of ride and handling, Camry still suffers. There are still way too much roughness transfers through the chassis over the washboard pavements and expansion joints. It seems to me Toyota refused to use the Asian-spec rebound damping that is far softer and more comfortable over these kinds of roads when Camry’s handling already nothing to write home about.

Standard ABS and rear center headrest would make this car more competitive than before. In terms of refinement and quietness, Camry remains the gold standard in the family sedan segment. Its just doesn’t have the dynamics to compete with the sporty offerings, even the sportier SE version.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Short review of 2004 Toyota Solara SLE V6 convertible
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Price as tested: CDN$46061

The convertible has always an extension to its coupe silibing, in both generation of the Camry-based Solara touring coupe. Why I insist of using “touring” instead of “sport” because Solara is nothing sporty at all, just like the Camry is based on. After Toyota cut the top off Solara, the vehicle doesn’t feel as solid as before. There are significant amount of cowl shakes that feel the structural integrity haven’t fully stiffened up before Toyota lifted the roof off. This kind of mistake is not something we expect from Toyota, which is a car company that is famous for its quality and attention-to-details. As usual, Solara is softly sprung with almost no driving feel at all. However, the suspension gives driver enough confidence without being too floaty. However, for the price of 46 grand. I would pay a premium for an Audi A4 1.8T and BMW 325Ci convertibles which are more solid cars to drive, in terms of structural integrity and driving qualities.

Overall rating: 2.25/5

Vehicle: 2002 Toyota Camry LE with pkg B

Performance: Camry is powered by 1 of 2 engines. A 2.4L 4-cylinder and 3.0L V6, both come with VVT-i variable valve timing technology. The one in our tester is the base 2.4L 4-cylinder DOHC 4 with 157 hp and 163 lb/ft of torque. In the previous generations, Camry’s 4s were dog slow. No more in the current iteration as it got more than enough torque for daily driving and enough revving when you want to push it through the redline. Along with the 4-speed auto tranny, the whole powertrain is typical of Toyota which means its quiet, refine, smooth and quite flexible when rev. For a 4 banger, it got a relax gear ratio as I experienced 2500 rpm @ 100 km which is surprisingly low.

Handling: Camry has suffered from a serious syndrome of poor relations of ride and handling thanks to its spring setting. The springs are neither providing enough stiffness for aggressive driving nor enough damping for comfortable ride. The compromise is poor as you feel every nuts in the washboard pavements and expansion joints while there are still tons of body rolls through corners. Combine the poor springs with soft suspension, you got a car that handles softly. The steering is numb and lack of feedback all around. Its not that Camry’s dynamics doesn’t have any merits. Although Camry’s setting is soft to begin with, its suspension still provides enough confidence taking slow corners. The chassis also has a stiff base for good crash test results.
I fully expect Camry’s chassis silibing to do more than that, especially the upcoming Sienna, Solara and ES300. Since all them are comfort more than handling-oriented, they deserve a spring setting that is supple like a LS400 to please the passengers instead of boucing them all around while driver is scaring at each corners.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and ABS, Camry’s brake system is better than average.

Interior: Camry’s velour seats are soft and smooth, they are great for long trip with sofa-like design. Back seat is also very spacious with tons of head and legrooms. Instrumentation gauges are clear and analog. The knobs for climate control are easy to operate. However, there are couple of criticisms. The climate control knobs have a cheap feel to it. They have cracky rotating sound that doesn’t feel like Toyota’s usual material standard. There are also plenty of hard plastic abound the center console area. The whole dashboard is flat insted of slightly designed toward the driver. That means it looks more like an American landyacht than a Japanese family car. While the trunk is huge, got 40/60 split fold-down rear seats and a low lift-over, the instrusive trunk hinges are cost-cutting measure that could cut into any groceries down below.

Conclusion: Camry is a perfect “appliance” for those who are looking for no-fuse driving attitude. If you are looking for one that has better interior quality, you have to go upgrade to the loaded XLE in order to get the proper material quality. Despite of my criticisms, Camry remains one of the benchmarks for refinement and quietness in the mid-size family sedan segment.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2002 CAMRY LE
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Performance: 3/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 1/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 3/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4.75/5
Value-for-money: 4.5/5

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Vehicle: 2004 Toyota Solara SLE V6
Price as tested: CDN$35800

Performance: The Solara is powered by the Toyota’s highly regarded 3.3L V6 24-valver VVT-i engine. This engine has to be considered as one of the best V6 engine in the world. As usual, power is not an issue. There are plenty of low-end torque and it never run out of breathe at higher rpm. The refinement, flexability and NVH of the engine are simply exceptional. The extra 0.3L also really improve the performance on an already responsive powerplant. The 5-speed sequential manumatic tranny is also an excellent unit. The shifts are crisp and smooth. Its willing to up and downshifts on auto mode. Despite the protective nature of the manumatic mode that doesn’t let you rev pass the redline before upshift, it remains one of the best units available on the market elsewhere.

Handling: In terms of handling and ride compromise, Solara is truly a mix review. On the one hand, Solara provides a more sporting suspension set-up than all the Camrys I have ever driven, including the sporting suspended SE. Keep in mind I have emphasize the word “sporting” on above sentences!! That means you won’t feel like a landyatch on the freeway while going 160 km/h. On the other hand, the spring set-up has provided the worse of both worlds for ride and handling. Its neither firm enough for aggressive cornering when pushed, nor provide enough supple for a floaty and comfortable ride quality. I still feel some bounce while driving through washboard pavements and expansion joints. As Camry tradition, Solara’s steering feels numb and lack of feedback despite it got acceptable responsiveness. There are plenty of understeer and body rolls through corners. If I am going to buy a Solara, I would extensively test drive both with or without sports package before signing the dotted lines. Despite that, the last Camry LE I have driven without the so-called sporting “sports package” still have that sorta of ride/handling issue I have experienced with the Solara tester.

Brakes: The pedal provides a nice and firm pedal feel under heavy braking. The feel is solid and easily modulated. Its threshold is also very easy to control under panic situations.

Interior: Generally speaking, Solara’s interior materials are step above Camry and Highlander. All the material’s richness feels similar to more expensive RX330 than comparably priced Camry XLE. All the switches are logically placed and operated, while the instrumentation gauges are clear and analog. All of them are what you expect from Toyota’s ergonomics. The leather seats are comfortable, providing good back and thigh supports. Auto climate control and heated seats are effective in a chilly weather. The back seat space is quite spacious considered its coupe nature.

The use of instrusive trunk hinges, high liftover and a swallow trunk cut off have given Solara really limited use of trunk space given its size.

Conclusion: Although the Solara is not my cup of tea, it provides a decent package for people who are shopping for a comfort-oriented coupe with lots of features

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA SLE V6
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Performance: 4.75/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.75/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 1/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 3/5