The new Camry is an improvement but...
12-19-11, 07:31 PM
#46
Guest
Posts: n/a
Have any of you driven the new 2012 Camry yet? I've driven a Hybrid XLE back to back with a previous gen Hybrid and an XLE V6. So far the Hybrid XLE is the most interesting of all to be because it has 200hp and it is faster than a 2002 Camry V6 model. Steering feel and handling is amazing after all these generations. No its not a sports car, but Toyota is finally doing something right. As for the taillights...not a fan.
I have seen both cars parked side by side, none of them share the same sheetmetal and the new Camry's green house is a bit larger than the previous. Looks are deceiving but the whole car is different in all aspects, it just wasn't designed that way. Sort of how they tried to evolve the 1st Gen LS into the 2nd Gen LS. I've been seeing a bunch of new Camrys on the road since launch here in Southern California. I think its doing pretty well, especially the SE trim.
I have seen both cars parked side by side, none of them share the same sheetmetal and the new Camry's green house is a bit larger than the previous. Looks are deceiving but the whole car is different in all aspects, it just wasn't designed that way. Sort of how they tried to evolve the 1st Gen LS into the 2nd Gen LS. I've been seeing a bunch of new Camrys on the road since launch here in Southern California. I think its doing pretty well, especially the SE trim.
What impressed me the most was just how improved the new Hybrid drive is with the updates paired with the 2.5 I4. Low end oomph was more noticeable while in electric mode, I could do brisk parking lot acceleration without starting the ICE. In my '08 Hybrid, the engine would turn on give me the power, then quickly turn back off. It behaves in programming a little more like the Hybrid systems in the Highlander and RX models. The new battery packs give you a lot more power to stay in EV mode for longer and under stronger acceleration inputs.
It was really quiet too. Under braking in my '08, I can definitely hear the whine of the traction motors as it was recovering energy under braking. I did not hear anything at all with the '12 from the inside. Same goes for quietness with the engine on. I can always tell under acceleration when my engine is on in the '08 (it's not loud or unrefined by any means, just barely perceptible), but the refinement of the new setup is so much better, it left me wondering if I was still in electric mode or not all the time. During my test drive I had to resort to looking at the screen to tell when the ICE was on.
The SE is the only trim level left I need to drive to get a good feel for the entire new Camry range. I want to test both the I4 and V6 as I've heard there are slight differences, most notably with the steering as they EPS units are from two different suppliers for the two engines.
It was really quiet too. Under braking in my '08, I can definitely hear the whine of the traction motors as it was recovering energy under braking. I did not hear anything at all with the '12 from the inside. Same goes for quietness with the engine on. I can always tell under acceleration when my engine is on in the '08 (it's not loud or unrefined by any means, just barely perceptible), but the refinement of the new setup is so much better, it left me wondering if I was still in electric mode or not all the time. During my test drive I had to resort to looking at the screen to tell when the ICE was on.
The SE is the only trim level left I need to drive to get a good feel for the entire new Camry range. I want to test both the I4 and V6 as I've heard there are slight differences, most notably with the steering as they EPS units are from two different suppliers for the two engines.
^^Well said.
It's amazing how much advancements have been made for 2012. The 6th gen was already quiet. I did have the opportunity to drive an 11 and 12 Hybrid back to back. It's like night and day. The 2AZ-FXE was already quiet and smooth but its amazing that the 2AR-FXE is much more powerful and smoother and efficient. It's so smooth and quiet you're forgetting you're driving a hybrid. Who would have thought a 2012 Camry Hybrid can go as fast if not faster than a 2002 Toyota Camry V6.
I'm jealous at the fact that BSM (blind spot monitoring) is available on this car as well as Enform. The New GS is going to be the first Lexus with BSM and Entune (upscaled version of Enform)...but not until February '12. Come on TMC, get with the program...the luxury brand should get these goods first.
It's amazing how much advancements have been made for 2012. The 6th gen was already quiet. I did have the opportunity to drive an 11 and 12 Hybrid back to back. It's like night and day. The 2AZ-FXE was already quiet and smooth but its amazing that the 2AR-FXE is much more powerful and smoother and efficient. It's so smooth and quiet you're forgetting you're driving a hybrid. Who would have thought a 2012 Camry Hybrid can go as fast if not faster than a 2002 Toyota Camry V6.
I'm jealous at the fact that BSM (blind spot monitoring) is available on this car as well as Enform. The New GS is going to be the first Lexus with BSM and Entune (upscaled version of Enform)...but not until February '12. Come on TMC, get with the program...the luxury brand should get these goods first.
Congrats!
12-20-11, 12:12 AM
#48
Lexus Champion
IMHO
Only the Asian/Russian Camry and the SE/Atara versions of the USDM/Australian Camry are nice in my eyes.
Camry SE (or the Aussies, it's the Camry Atara)
Asian/European Camry
HOWEVER
The rest (like this one shown below)
Look like some boring piece of ****. It's so boring (the plain-jane vanilla kind) to the point that I feel like throwing up.
Only the Asian/Russian Camry and the SE/Atara versions of the USDM/Australian Camry are nice in my eyes.
Camry SE (or the Aussies, it's the Camry Atara)
Asian/European Camry
HOWEVER
The rest (like this one shown below)
Look like some boring piece of ****. It's so boring (the plain-jane vanilla kind) to the point that I feel like throwing up.
12-20-11, 07:24 AM
#50
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
12-20-11, 07:51 AM
#51
it is funny how everyone wants Toyota to go crazy on design, and then like the most basic, generic, blandomobile design of them all - Asian Camry. Remove the Toyota logo, and you would know it is asian car, just not which brand... booooooooring.
12-20-11, 12:37 PM
#53
Heck in many Asian countries, Corolla is considered an luxury car.
12-20-11, 02:06 PM
#54
Lexus Champion
The hybrid USDM model is the bland and MOST UNINSPIRING of the new Camry models and variants. It's so bland that I bet that only my grandparents would be excited to get one (like senior citizens getting excited about a Toyota Avalon).
The sad thing is: There will be a lot grey market and parallel importers that will bring this boring USDM Hybrid version into the country.
If they want Camry grey imports, the why not import the SE/ATARA instead?
P.S.
Probably an analogy would be like:
This
versus
this
In this case, the Aussies and the Kiwis get the better deal as they have both variants and you just choose what you like. In some other markets, you don't have that option (unless you make special arrangements).
And with that said, personally, I'm cool and fine with the SE/Atara Camry or the Asian/European Camry.
However, for those boring variants, not a chance. I'd automatically choose to ride a train or take public transportation instead of driving a USDM Hybrid Camry (or any other non-SE variant)
Just saying
12-20-11, 03:50 PM
#56
It looks like some version of Avalon. It has no recognizable traits. And it costs a lot of money.
Only difference between SE and XLE is front bumper and wheels.
Your Honda pics are showing Acura TSX which is sold as Accord in rest of the world. Once again, big difference being TSX is smaller but more expensive car.
Here TSX costs between 45k and 60k USD. Yay.
12-20-11, 03:57 PM
#57
To me USDM has some character at least (even LE):
Asian one is generic mid-to-large Toyota sedan. Anything special about it? Nope... it has front... profile and rear end. How to describe it? I wouldnt really know.
Asian one is generic mid-to-large Toyota sedan. Anything special about it? Nope... it has front... profile and rear end. How to describe it? I wouldnt really know.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
