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The Camry is the
best-selling car in the United States, as it has achieved the reputation for
providing safe, quiet, comfortable transportation; for doing its duties as a
family sedan without attracting attention. For the most part, buyers aren’t
disappointed with what they get. But those buyers who don’t shop around will
miss the fact that there are other cars that can do the same thing, but
better and/or for less money.
The Camry rides
comfortably, absorbing road imperfections well without a loss of control. It
isn’t agile, but it handles safely. The steering is too light and lacks
feel, but responds quickly enough. The 2.4-liter I4 offers adequate power,
but isn’t as peppy as some of the competition. The Camry is one of the
quieter cars in this group, though the engine can get noisy under hard
acceleration. Gas mileage is very good.
Inside, the Camry’s front
seats are roomy and comfortable. The rear is mounted high and shaped well,
and offers good head and leg space.
 Despite
Toyota’s reputation for quality, base Camrys use too many hard,
cheap-feeling plastics and some trim pieces do not fit together well.
(Higher end models have some higher-quality materials.) The gauges are large
and clear, and the instruments are well-placed and easy to use. Entry/exit
is easy. Drivers sit comfortably and have clear visibility. The trunk is not
especially large for a midsize sedan.
The Camry reviewed here
came in at $20,766, not especially well-equipped by this group’s standards.
Standard features include a tire-pressure monitor, a knee-protecting airbag
for the driver, and an 8-way power driver’s seat, but optional equipment
like traction and stability control and satellite radio are offered only
above this group’s price point (and stability control is common only on
pricier cars).
Overall, the Camry is a
well-rounded car, with good safety ratings, a comfortable and quiet ride, a
roomy interior, and good gas mileage. But it is not so phenomenal that it is
worth a substantial price premium over much of the competition, particularly
when the mediocre interior quality and relative lack of agility are
considered. It’s worth considering the Camry, but those who don’t also
consider its strong competition are doing themselves a disservice.
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