Name three midsize family sedans. If you're like most people, one of the cars on your list is the Toyota Camry.
The Camry has been a bestseller since the '90s, fending off competition from every corner of the world. Owners point to the sedan's reliability, predictability, comfort, packaging, and value as deciding factors in the purchasing decision, and Toyota works hard to back up the car's reputation in every possible way. Each generation and every model year is an improvement over the last, ensuring that the Camry is always at its best.
But as great as the Camry's reputation is, there's one common complaint: it's not much fun, whether you're driving it or looking at it. The Camry is the ultimate in conservative transportation, and that makes it a choice dictated by logic, not emotion.
Over the past decade, automakers such as Ford, Mazda, and Nissan have done their best to exploit this perceived weakness, offering up sporty alternatives such as the Fusion, Mazda6, Altima, and Maxima. More recently, Toyota has faced challenges from Buick, Hyundai, and Kia- brands that were afterthoughts just a few years ago-with the attractive Verano, Sonata, and Optima sedans.
And yet, Toyota continues to steer clear of the emotional appeal, favouring a middleof-the-road approach to the Camry's design while leaving the wit and whimsy to the Yaris, FJ Cruiser, and all of the Scion cars. The message is clear: owners are perfectly fine with the Camry the way it is, and Toyota isnÃÂt about to mess with success.
This being the case, it's no surprise to learn that the redesigned, eighth-generation Camry follows in the footsteps of its predecessor. Like the seventh-generation Camry that debuted in 2007, the 2012 version is better than before, but not so different as to represent a radical departure from the past. Toyota understands that it doesn't have to compete with niche offerings from other automakers; better to let others compete for attention while the Camry continues to satisfy its large and loyal ownership base. That's what the Camry does better than any other midsize sedan on the market, and that's what will keep it on the best-selling list for the foreseeable future.
Design-You'd be forgiven for thinking that the Camry has received a simple facelift, because the styling doesnÃÂt seem much different from before. In fact, the 2012 model represents an almost complete redesign from the ground up, sharing the previous version's profile and proportions, but gaining more angular and aerodynamic lines.
Those sharper edges are both a blessing and a curse. From some angles the Camry looks sportier than ever before, while from others it seems even more conservative. Regardless of the viewpoint, the Camry's design isnÃÂt on the level of the new Kia Optima or upcoming Ford Fusion.
The cabin is more modern than before, with a clean, business-like feel that puts sensibility and practicality fully on display.
Attention to detail and workmanship is obvious throughout. As good as last year's Camry was, this new model is even better and may even approach Lexus levels of quality. Everything just feels right to the touch, from the materials to the solid door and trunk hinges.
Performance-Power comes from a 2.5L inline-four with 178-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, or a 3.5L V6 with 268hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. Both engines have been refined for more power and improved fuel efficiency, and come with an excellent sixspeed automatic. However, Toyota has dropped the option of a manual transmission due to low sales figures.
The best part of the Camry's performance is its wonderful ride quality. The car is amazingly quiet and smooth, offering relaxed comfort in nearly any road conditions.
Predictable handling also works in the Toyota's favour, but the steering remains light and numb, preventing drivers from feeling the road. Combine that with the cushy ride, and the Camry has a tendency to feel soft. However, the Camry is kind of "luxurious" in some ways, because of its highly refined feel that makes the car almost Lexus-like. So for those people who wish their Camrys were a bit more upscale in overall feel, this new version does the trick. If you close your eyes on a highway driving (can't do that as a driver!), you will swear that you are riding on a $50K luxury sedan because of quietness and silky feel.
Thumbs up: Superb engines and ride quality; plentiful cabin and trunk space.
Thumbs down: Bland performance; conservative styling.
The bottom line: A super family car that provides total value.
