Test drove the 2012 Camry.
09-25-11 | 05:23 PM
#46
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I'm glad Toyota has finally figured out how ridiculous this is and have revised the setup. I have a 2007 RAV4 with the same hyper aggressive "full throttle at only 1/4 of the pedal travel" throttle mapping setup, except it's the 270hp V6 and it's just plain STUPID. 
Edit: oh wow my sig is waaaaay out of date.
Edit: oh wow my sig is waaaaay out of date.
09-25-11 | 06:37 PM
#47
Excellent review/write-up, RX 330. 
Fairly-written and non-biased.
I'm also glad you did the new Camry. I myself have CL-requests for the new Camry, particularly XLE and/or Hybrid versions, but, like in your area, only a few LE models are available right now around D.C. Since you've done the LE model (and a great job on it), I'll forget the LE model and wait for a V6 XLE (the 4-cylinder XLE probably won't be much different from the 4-cylinder LE), or the hybrid.
From the pictures you posted, though, there's two things I don't care for, right off the bat, about the new LE interior......sticking with the zig-zag transmission shifter and the conventional ignition-switch on the steering-column (I never did like those zig-zags). Maybe the XLE and/or hybrid will have the nicer push-button engine start......we'll wait and see. I think that the push-button start is a feature more and more car-buyers will demand in the future.
Fairly-written and non-biased. I'm also glad you did the new Camry. I myself have CL-requests for the new Camry, particularly XLE and/or Hybrid versions, but, like in your area, only a few LE models are available right now around D.C. Since you've done the LE model (and a great job on it
), I'll forget the LE model and wait for a V6 XLE (the 4-cylinder XLE probably won't be much different from the 4-cylinder LE), or the hybrid.From the pictures you posted, though, there's two things I don't care for, right off the bat, about the new LE interior......sticking with the zig-zag transmission shifter and the conventional ignition-switch on the steering-column (I never did like those zig-zags). Maybe the XLE and/or hybrid will have the nicer push-button engine start......we'll wait and see. I think that the push-button start is a feature more and more car-buyers will demand in the future.
I hate the flat rear end of the new model, hopefully it looks better in person
nice write up OP!
09-25-11 | 09:54 PM
#49
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 9
From: Michigan
OK, thanks....that clears it up. Great.......it seems to be a true gauge, even if a bar-graph, and actually displays the temperature graphically.
Again, congratulations on a fine review. You've covered the 4-cylinder LE model well....though I'll probably do the V6 XLE and/or Hybrid when it comes out, per CL request.
SteVTEC, we probably ended up having this gauge-discussion for nothing.
........at least as far as the new Camry is concerned. It has BOTH a digital temp-gauge AND an analog MPG-Meter.
Great.......it seems to be a true gauge, even if a bar-graph, and actually displays the temperature graphically. Again, congratulations on a fine review.
You've covered the 4-cylinder LE model well....though I'll probably do the V6 XLE and/or Hybrid when it comes out, per CL request. SteVTEC, we probably ended up having this gauge-discussion for nothing.
........at least as far as the new Camry is concerned. It has BOTH a digital temp-gauge AND an analog MPG-Meter.
09-25-11 | 10:47 PM
#50
Driver
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: VA
The XLE's do have push button starters, I got to drive a 4 cylinder one at the dealer ship I work at.
And in my humble opinion this new Camry looks like an Acura TSX in the front and a super sized Corolla from the side.
09-26-11 | 12:29 PM
#52
thanks for the great review.
seems like toyota's going for an almost detail free exterior, which i guess is good for aerodynamics at least.
the exterior is extremely plain - the interior is nice, although could they put less effort into the screen display graphics/buttons?
in this stressful world and awful economy though, i bet a lot of people will say thank you every time they drive their reliable, serene, and yes plain toyota camry.
seems like toyota's going for an almost detail free exterior, which i guess is good for aerodynamics at least.
the exterior is extremely plain - the interior is nice, although could they put less effort into the screen display graphics/buttons?
in this stressful world and awful economy though, i bet a lot of people will say thank you every time they drive their reliable, serene, and yes plain toyota camry.
09-26-11 | 01:34 PM
#54
09-26-11 | 02:05 PM
#55
Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 121
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From: NJ
I got a chance to sit in one over the weekend.
Helping a family member to possibly search / buy one. They currently have an '09 coming off lease soon.
I actually kinda like the steering wheel. It has a chunky feel or more thick rimmed compared to the previous one. I like the thumb rests too.
Haven't driven it yet so not sure if its better or worse feeling than the sixth gen.
We're going to go look at the new Passat next and maybe the Sonata... overall i like the new style.
The exterior looks better in person to me than what i see in the pictures.
Helping a family member to possibly search / buy one. They currently have an '09 coming off lease soon.
I actually kinda like the steering wheel. It has a chunky feel or more thick rimmed compared to the previous one. I like the thumb rests too.
Haven't driven it yet so not sure if its better or worse feeling than the sixth gen.
We're going to go look at the new Passat next and maybe the Sonata... overall i like the new style.
The exterior looks better in person to me than what i see in the pictures.
09-26-11 | 02:25 PM
#56
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,719
Likes: 90
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I asked the dealer when the Hybrids were coming in, since I currently have a 2008 Camry Hybrid, and they told me within the next month they should be rolling in.
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-26-11 at 02:32 PM.
09-26-11 | 03:20 PM
#57
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
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Well, you earned it. You did a very nice job here.
The V6 XLEs have just started coming in to local Toyota shops over the weekend. I'm going to do one in a couple of days...if unsold XLE's are available. I think they are going to go quick. Don't see any hybrids listed here, though....as you note, they will probably be delayed a little more. Not surprising.....the hybrids are more complex to produce, require more parts, and were (probably) set back by the earthquake/tsunami more.
The V6 XLEs have just started coming in to local Toyota shops over the weekend. I'm going to do one in a couple of days...if unsold XLE's are available. I think they are going to go quick. Don't see any hybrids listed here, though....as you note, they will probably be delayed a little more. Not surprising.....the hybrids are more complex to produce, require more parts, and were (probably) set back by the earthquake/tsunami more.
09-29-11 | 01:01 PM
#59
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Joined: Jan 2005
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And let us not neglect the power component. The Camry’s optional V-6 may be basically unchanged, but it delivers respectable hustle—0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, the quarter-mile in 14.3 at 101 mph, 50 to 70 in 3.7. Those times are brisk for this class and would have been tops in our recent sedan comparison involving the Honda Accord EX-L V-6, Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Limited, and Volkswagen Passat 3.6 SEL. Chalk it up in part to a curb weight—3407 pounds—100 pounds wispier than that of the lightest car in that group. Similarly, our test Camry’s 0.83-g skidpad performance would have topped those charts, and its 70-to-0-mph braking distance—173 feet—would have been 15 feet better than the comparo’s best stopper.
09-29-11 | 01:08 PM
#60
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
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yikes at how badly Camry SE V6 beats Passat, Sonata on the track, it is class above... kind of funny, lol.
http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezfl...26a9d2cbed.pdf
http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezfl...26a9d2cbed.pdf