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Following a tough act:
The new Camry is the best one yet
Tony Whitney
For 2007, the Toyota Camry is all new, and clearly the result of an even bigger effort than usual by its manufacturer. As a bonus this time around, there's a hybrid version on offer.
Camry has been the top-selling sedan in North America for eight of the last nine years. We've driven all versions of the new car quite extensively and can report with confidence that Toyota has once again made a great product even better.
Even for those owners who thought the last model was "as good as a mid-size sedan can get," there are more than a few surprises. The styling is a good example. The new Kentucky-built Camry has a predatory, hunkered-down look to it in a way that brings European touring car racers to mind, rather than family sedans. This time around, the Camry isn't your grandparents' vehicle. It remains though, a very solid choice for business users.
The bodywork is interesting too, with a "seamless" integration between hood, grille, logo and front bumper—described by Toyota as a 'premium' look. Other features include reduced gaps between the panels, a longtime Toyota point of reference. The windshield and rear window have no moulding. These glass elements are bonded directly to the bodywork without any rubber seals or chrome trim.
The hybrid Camry uses a version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive. The system has appeared on several Toyota products. Unlike rival systems, it's capable of operating either with the gasoline engine or the electric motor, or in combination.
The basis of the powertrain is a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, Atkinson Cycle gasoline engine with a permanent-magnet electric motor. The peak performance offered by gas engine and electric motor is equivalent to 187-horsepower. The engine is similar to the technically-sophisticated four-cylinder used in entry level non-hybrid Camrys.
Drive one of these cars and you’ll find everything is seamless, with no perceived transfers from one power source to another.
Fuel economy
Regenerative braking, in which power is harnessed to charge the battery, is just one element that helps endow this car with its surprising fuel economy. The hybrid engine is married to a continuously-variable automatic transmission, a common feature of many hybrid vehicles.
The new Camry Hybrid is quite fast and easily tops 100 km/h in less than nine seconds. Fuel economy is given by Toyota as 5.8 litres/100 km in the city and 6.2 litres/100 km on the highway. The technology is so effective, economy figures match those of the subcompact Toyota Yaris, which is no small achievement.
All Camrys have four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock. A brake assist system is also standard, along with electronic brake force distribution. Both of these help stopping under emergency conditions. Available safety options include stability and traction control.
The 2007 Camry has no less than seven standard air bags, setting something of a benchmark for this class. All five occupants get full seatbelts and proper head restraints. The interior is both attractive and practical (and trimmed with flawless quality).
The top Camry uses one of those "smart key" systems, which involve carrying the key in your pocket and simply pressing a button on the dash to start the car. Whether this is a serious advancement in convenience remains to be seen, as some drivers have found them more trouble than they're worth.
The Camry Hybrid is very competitively priced, which should make it an interesting choice for fleet applications.
Tony Whitney is an automotive expert and commentator based in Vancouver.
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