NOT YOUR FATHER'S CAMRY
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Sat, Dec 26, 2009
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
Tommy Grafman photo
NOT YOUR FATHER'S CAMRY
When informed that the next car I was reviewing for LA CAR was a Toyota Camry, I
confess to not being overcome with excitement. I then learned it was the sport
version of the Camry, which seemed like an oxymoron. All that changed after I
got behind the wheel.
Walking up to the car, I am pleased with the lines and the flow of this
four-door sedan. The rear lip spoiler adds a nice touch without being
over-the-top. The rear light cluster has a nice angle - classy; not boring. The
front end has an aggressive look. With a blacked out sport grill, swept front
lights and fog lights, the car has a look of forward motion. (Okay, I like it.)
Getting into the Camry and behind the wheel changed the rest of my preconceived
notions of the car. The soft leather trimmed seats have a nice touch and balance
- not too soft or firm, but the right density to keep you firmly planted. The
matching leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob complete the look. The
instrument cluster is well-placed, bright and easy to read. The dash is complete
with a seven-inch navigation-system.
This Camry is equipped with multiple power jacks, a MP3 port and a USB port
(nice!). The 440-watt JBL sound system has eight speakers in six locations. This
sound system is built to rock your world. I plug in my iPhone into the dash via
the MP3 port, select my driving tunes playlist, and am ready to hit the road.
Tommy Grafman photo
Turning the key in the ignition and hearing the engine come to life with a roar
piqued my senses. Taking off, the response from the engine is immediate. This
Camry is equipped with a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC 24V V6 with Dual VVT-i
Engine with a 6-speed Auto ECT-i with Sequential Shifting. Excitement was now
pumping through my veins.
The response from the engine is immediate. There is no delay from the pedal to
the engine. You can feel the performance of the car as you drive. Acceleration
is effortless and exciting (yes, you read it here, an exciting Camry!). I am
pleased with the way the torque on this car imbeds you into the seat. Driving
down the street feels both comfortable and safe. The side view mirrors and the
rear view mirror give you a complete picture of your surroundings. It's time to
take this bad boy out to the highway.
Heading towards the freeway onramp, I hit the accelerator and the Camry eats the
asphalt 0-60 in a matter of seconds. Driving the 405 freeway can be one of the
worst known to mankind if attempting to be on it anytime after 4:00 p.m.
Luckily, I'm rocking down the highway at 3:00 p.m., so traffic is still
moderate. Now for the test to see how well the Camry is able to accelerate from
a moving speed to overtake a lane: I punch the drilled aluminum-look sport pedal
and without hesitation the Camry is up to the speed needed to overtake in the
next lane. With music blasting and power under my control, I felt like a
teenager again. "Wait a minute, this is a Camry!" I say to myself. But the only
thing 'Camry' about the car is the body style and the name on the emblem. The
rest speaks sports sedan. Yes, this is not your father's Camry.
The 17-inch alloy wheels and a sport suspension with front and rear anti-roll
bars and sport springs and bushings are major contributors to the sport of this
sedan. Supporting cast members include a quick ratio power-assisted
rack-and-pinion steering, and the large discs equipped on the four-wheel brakes
with ABS. The Camry proves to have a firm grip of the road at any (legal) speed.
Adding even more to the sense that this is one special Camry is the seven-inch
LCD display that handles the Voice Activated GPS system, JBL sound system with
four-disc in-dash CD changer, AM/FM/satellite radio, MP3, Bluetooth and back-up
camera (yes, you heard me right a backup camera on the Camry!). Another visual
feature with the display and dash is how it looks illuminated at night. With a
sense of retro, the dash lights sets this Camry into cool mode when night
driving. Of course, power windows and locks are standard. The power
tilt-and-slide moonroof with sunshade is a must for all L.A. driving.
Tommy Grafman photo
See me, feel me, touch me...smell me? The new Camry SE has an automatic climate
control system that is also an air purifier. The system emits a stream of
synthetically created ions that help reduce mold spores, microbes, fungi, odors,
germs and bacteria. The positive and negative ions form clusters that enclose
harmful substances in the air and deodorizing the air. No, it won't protect your
from H1N1, but it keeps the Camry smelling clean and fresh.
Passengers are taken with the cool factor of this car. Being a four door doesn't
mean giving up on the rear seats. The soft leather seats are sculpted and very
comfortable with plenty of room. When I say "this is a Camry" people respond
with "you're kidding?"
Toyota could have gotten away with calling it something other than a Camry if it
wanted to. The SE model stands apart from the Camry line. The outside still has
the look, but with some significant and pleasing modifications. The inside is
all sport, as are the engine and suspension. Driving around L.A., you need
style, performance and respect. This car has it all, and it's hard having to
give it back to the manufacturer!
My final four words: I love this car!
SUMMARY JUDGMENT
A wolf in Camry clothing.
For more information about Toyota products, go to
www.toyota.com
SPECIFICATIONS
Name of vehicle:
2010 Toyota Camry SE
Price:
$22,165 (base, with manual six-speed transmission)
$31,019.00 (as tested)
EPA gas mileage ratings:
19 miles per gallon in the city / 28 miles per gallon on the highway
Engine type:
3.5 liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with Duaul VVT-i
Horsepower:
268 at 6000 rpm
Torque:
171 pound-feet at 4100 rpm
Transmission:
Six-speed automatic with ECT and sequential shift
Drive configuration:
front-wheel drive
Steering:
Power-assisted rack & pinion
Suspension:
Four-wheel independent sport suspension includes solid front and rear anti-roll
bars, sports springs and bushings
Brakes:
Four-wheel ABS disc brakes.
Dimensions
Length: 189.2 inches
Width: 71.7 inches
Height: 57.7
Curb Weight:
3285 (base)
3483 (as tested)
Tommy Grafman photo