My Opinion

TOYOTA NEW CAMRY

By admin ⋅ May 16, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

When they announce the redesign of the best-selling car in America, it’s big news. The 2007 Toyota Camry is the sixth generation of Camry cars. Over 10 million Camrys have been sold worldwide since the first model rolled off the line in 1983; over 458,000 were sold in the US alone in 2005. The 2007 Toyota Camry is available in five grades: CE, LE, XLE, SE and Hybrid, with prices ranging from $18,270 to $27,520. Some of the changes are evolutionary; some are revolutionary.

Camry has always been a conservatively-styled car, and that’s not changing for 2007. The new design is fresher and younger than the previous generation, with a higher waistline and smaller windows. Bucking the obesity trend, the 2007 Camry is the same length as the previous generation (189.2″) and only 1″ wider (71.7″), so it should still fit in your garage. Curb weight is about the same as last year, between 3,285 and 3,495 lbs depending on trim level and engine selection. Front and rear fender wells sport a modest muscular bulge. Headlights and taillights have gone horizontal with housings wrapping the respective corners of the car. Overall, Camry’s looking good – not quite the youth magnet Toyota’s hoping for, but a definite improvement over the fifth generation.

The five Camry grades are distinguished by slight differences in exterior styling and badging. CE, the value Camry, is the least-adorned. LE and XLE add some chrome trim and, with the optional V6 engine, dual exhausts. The sporty Camry SE sits 0.4″ lower than the other grades and features a honeycomb grille in front, a small spoiler on the rear deck lid, 17″ wheels, ground effects bodywork and an underbody aerodynamics package.

Camry’s interior has been redesigned as well. If the new interior looks at all familiar, that’s because it’s very similar to the one in the 2006 Camry Solara. The bottom of the windshield has been kicked forward a bit, and the dash sits further away from the driver and passenger, giving more of a sense of space. Dash materials are first rate, and the freshened design is sharp and tasteful. Round gauges sit above the steering wheel under an eyebrow. The center stack holds the air and heat controls, audio, and has space for an optional navigation system (SE, XLE and Hybrid only). Toyota has smartly included CD MP3 playback capability and a mini jack for auxiliary audio input on all models – a very forward-looking move.

Camry’s rear foot wells have grown, and rear legroom has increased by 0.5″ to 38.3″. The CE, LE and Hybrid grades get a 60/40 split folding rear seat. Because of body bracing to increase rigidity, the SE and XLE get fixed rear seats with a pass-through. XLE models get a deluxe 40/20/40 reclining rear seat, but pay a penalty in the trunk – the XLE’s trunk capacity is 14.5 cubic feet, while other models can fit 15.0 cubes.

Overall, Camry is roomier and more comfortable than ever before, which is saying something.

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