2007 Toyota Camry Dallas TX

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All-new once again, the Camry is aiming to maintain its sales leadership. The key to sales leadership is, of course, to be inoffensive without being boring. Well, at least not too boring. The fact that we haven't got much to say about the new Camry should be taken as evidence that Toyota has succeeded.

There's a bit more personality, thanks to a sportier SE model, and there's a lot more technology thanks to the addition of a hybrid to the lineup. Beyond that Toyota hasn't deviated much from the Camry's traditional path, and that's a good strategy.

The new face looks vaguely Mazda-like, with a touch of bulldog. The Camry's chin is heavier than before, the headlights much more angular. The trunk has a bustle that reminds slightly of the much-reviled BMW 7-Series. Unlike many cars, the Camry looks more interesting in photos than it does in the metal. Then again, pleasantly bland is not a bad thing to be, if you're a Camry. The sporty Camry SE gets a bit more distinction from the rest of the lineup, with larger wheels and blacked-out honeycomb grille mesh. The hybrid is set apart by LED taillights and blue-tinted headlight covers, and that's about it. The wheelbase has been stretched, but the overall length is the same.

The stretched chassis means more interior room, of course. The cowl was also pushed forward and the seats given more travel to accommodate a wider range of drivers. The new interior is airy, with a two-tone T-shaped dash that's got handsome wood trim in uplevel XLE models and a sporty black upper surface with a pale lower in the SE. All models get a handsome new center stack with satin silver finish and revised controls. The XLE also gets reclining rear seats, an unusual option for a sedan in this market. Rear-seat legroom in improved. Other amenities include in-dash navigation system, an auxiliary jack for an iPod or other MP3 player, a remote engine start, heated seats and Bluetooth hands-free phone compatibility.

Camry buyers are presented with a choice of three engine options. In order of increasing interest, they are a 158-horsepower 2.4 liter four-cylinder, 268-horse 3.5 liter V6, and the 192-horsepower hybrid-electric powerplant. The 2.4 is based on last year's four and has been upgraded with new intake and exhaust. The 3.5 V6 is new, and it's shared with the RAV4 and Avalon. Variable intake and exhaust valve timing is used for the first time on a Camry. On the road, the 3.5 is a good performer, with quick (but not too quick) throttle response and quiet operation. When you think "Camry," this is the engine you think of.

As a credit to Toyota's engineering team, the Camry Hybrid driving experience is more or less the same as the V6. There's an Atkinson-cycle 2.4 liter in the hybrid as well, but it's coupled to a 45-horsepower electric motor to boost power when the gas engine is not running or less efficient. The gas engine makes 147 horsepower by itself. A continuously-variable transmission puts the power to the road seamlessly, and like the rest of Toyota's hybrids, the Camry Hybrid can shut off its gas engine when not needed. Toyota claims 43/37 fuel economy.

Transmission choices in the conventional Camrys are a five-speed manual (four-cylinder only) and a six-speed automatic. We drove all three powertrains, and you'd be hard pressed to find significant differences between any of them. The six-speed automatic transmission is lighter and smaller than last year's five-speed version, believe it or not.

The suspension consists of MacPherson struts in the front and parallel trailing links in the rear, for a fully independent setup. The drive is seamless--that is, there's no drama. Take a corner too fast and the Camry understeers politely; push it through a series of twisties and it hugs the curves obediently but doesn't seem to be having much fun. The tighter suspension on the SE is better suited to curvy roads, though it won't be mistaken for a serious sports sedan. The tradeoff is a harsher ride on the freeway. Stiffer coil springs reduce body roll in the SE. Brake upgrades are generally part and parcel of a redesign, and the Camry is no different, with larger discs. Antilock brakes are standard, as are side and knee airbags. Toyota offers the Camry with Vehicle Stability Control; the Camry Hybrid comes standard with the fantastic Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management active stability system.

The new Camry will be on sale in March, with the hybrid a month or three behind. Pricing hasn't been set yet.


Specificiations:

All specs are for the 2007 Toyota Camry.
Length: 189.2 in.
Width: 71.7 in.
Height: 57.5 in.
Wheelbase: 109.3 in.
Curb weight: 3340 lb. (XLE 4cyl)
Cargo space: 15.0 cu.ft.
Base price:
Engine: 2.4 liter DOHC inline four-cylinder or 3.5 liter DOHC V6
Drivetrain: five speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 158 @ 6000 (I4); 268 @ 6200 (V6)
Torque: 161 @ 4000 (I4); 248 @ 4700 (V6)
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gal.
Est. mileage: 25/34 (I4); 22/31 (V6)