Don’s Take
Camry continues to offer comfort, reliability
For the last seven years, and for 11 of the last 12, Toyota’s Camry has been the best selling passenger car in America.
The last time a domestic took the top spot was 1996, when Ford’s Taurus completed a four-year winning streak. Since then, Honda’s Accord has been Camry’s sole challenger.
Camry’s dominance here drips with irony. In the 1930s, Toyota engineers taught themselves how to build engines reverse-engineering Chevrolet’s straight-six. The Toyopet, Toyota’s first sedan, bore a strong and not-coincidental resemblance to Chrysler’s Airflow.
Following World War II, Toyota added injury to insult, building itself into an industrial powerhouse using American-born production techniques that domestic makers had rejected.
Over the years, we’ve reviewed America’s favorite ride several times. However, until last month, I’d never seen any significant part of the U.S.A. from behind the wheel of a Camry.
A grandpa trip to Portland provided the impetus. It’s a decent test drive that includes freeways, twisty two-laners and urban asphalt.
Our tester was a 2010 XLE. XLE is Camry’s top-level trim, but unlike most up-level testers, this Camry came with a down-level engine.
The current generation Camry debuted in 2007. For 2010, it receives a “mid-cycle” update, meant to keep it competitive in the second half of its lifecycle. Updates include a mild facelift, new standard features and a new four-cylinder power plant.
This is how Toyota works its magic. It knows that in 2010, we have one eye on our creature comforts and one eye on the gas pump.
Our XLE (from $26,675) included an eight-speaker JBL audio system, full power everything, full safety everywhere, sunroof, automatic transmission and a leather interior.
Full freight: $29,076.
The new 2.5-liter double-overhead-cam engine makes 169 horsepower, 11 more than the previous four. Paired with the standard six-speed manual transmission, it’s rated at 22 city/33 highway. With the automatic, highway mileage drops to 32.
The same engine produces 179 hp in the sporty SE trim ($22,915).
A 268-hp, 3.5-liter six continues as the up-level choice. It’s a good, strong engine that powers many cars in the Toyota/Lexus portfolio and delivers EPA numbers of 19/28 EPA.
Setting out for Portland, I knew the Camry would deliver a comfortable, low-cost ride.
The cabin is quiet and, if not plush, certainly nicely outfitted.
The dash layout is attractive and effective. All controls are logically arranged and easily reached. The knobs are big and the feel of the switchgear is substantial and fluid.
Some materials reflect the need to make budget, but the XLE’s standard wood-grain accents are convincing and tastefully applied. Convenient storage cubbies stud the interior.
The seats pick up right where the domestics left them 30 years ago. They’re broad in the beam and flat as pancakes. Unlike the contoured buckets in favor these days, these seats are thrones upon which one perches.
And here’s something you won’t find elsewhere in the middle–class sedan segment - reclining rear seats. They’re standard on the XLE.
The Camry’s suspension is set for Capital-C comfort. It gobbles up the imperfections of Spokane’s streets and effortlessly puts away highway miles.
We tackled the first leg of the Portland trip without breathing heavily. The gas gauge fell at a snail’s pace and we breezed through the Tri-Cities without thinking twice about taking on fuel.
Out on Hwy. 14, which runs along the north bank of the Columbia, the placid, disengaged side of the Camry’s personality made its appearance. Steering is numb and isolating. In the curves, body lean is a fact of life.
The Camry is happiest when allowed to loaf.
If you prefer a tauter ride and handling package, the sport-tuned SE might be a good bet.
Meantime, the four’s 168 hp made enough steam for quick passes. The automatic collaborated, making downshifts quickly when I needed them.
Had we been loaded with people and gear, we would have worked a little harder to attain passing speeds.
By the end of my roundtrip journey, I’d come to a fresh appreciation of the Camry’s strengths – its flawless ride, exceptional build quality and easy-to-use amenities.
The new four is a gem and the new automatic a perfect match.
In my perfect world, the Camry would have a livelier personality and its seats would embrace me.
But, let’s face it; If the Camry were any nicer, it would be a Lexus. Spend a few hours in one and you may come to understand why your peers have made it the country’s best-selling car.
