There is no point denying it: Albeit the dent cast by its hefty recalls, Toyota still remains as one of the world's most well-received carmaker. The marque may have left a void in its sporting division (which was filled up recently by the 86), but the same could not be said for their people-carrier arm.
Take the previous Camry for instance - the car was a global success, not to mention a big hit on local roads. Genuinely well-prepositioned against its rivals, few could negate its strengths as a true-blue Japanese engineered icon. The Camry was also one of the first few in its class to come packed with HID lamps - a novelty in those days.
Exterior
The new front receives a bulging front bonnet - a steroidal treatment, akin to that found on American offerings (think hunched Camaros and Corvettes). The elevated bonnet moulding may raise brows at first glance, but the car does its bit to portray a more commanding presence.
The rump too, is not spared from the boxy transformation. While the front fascia seems a tad too clunky from certain angles, the rear manages to remain sleek, thanks to its stretched tail lamps across the width.
Take the previous Camry for instance - the car was a global success, not to mention a big hit on local roads. Genuinely well-prepositioned against its rivals, few could negate its strengths as a true-blue Japanese engineered icon. The Camry was also one of the first few in its class to come packed with HID lamps - a novelty in those days.
Exterior
The new front receives a bulging front bonnet - a steroidal treatment, akin to that found on American offerings (think hunched Camaros and Corvettes). The elevated bonnet moulding may raise brows at first glance, but the car does its bit to portray a more commanding presence.
The rump too, is not spared from the boxy transformation. While the front fascia seems a tad too clunky from certain angles, the rear manages to remain sleek, thanks to its stretched tail lamps across the width.
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Works on its flanks, though, are more subtle, bland to say the least. Nevertheless, inherent from how its predecessors were, designs of Camry were never meant to shock the world, or exciting in that sense. Instead, its target market would (or perceived to be) in favour of a matured, understated outlook, where functions take precedence over form.
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Interior
A peep into the interior reveals that the all-new mid size sedan has a generically different identity. For starters, the steering wheel is handsomely silver-lined around the mounted switches.
While the latest Camry employs genuine stitching on the dashboard coupled with premium cow hide, the central dashboard seems to have taken a step backwards. Despite the adoption of the touch-screen monitor, the gizmo feels more aftermarket than factory-fitted. The climate control turn knobs, too, feels a tad plasticky.
Central control panel dulls the otherwise plush and well appointed interior
A peep into the interior reveals that the all-new mid size sedan has a generically different identity. For starters, the steering wheel is handsomely silver-lined around the mounted switches.
While the latest Camry employs genuine stitching on the dashboard coupled with premium cow hide, the central dashboard seems to have taken a step backwards. Despite the adoption of the touch-screen monitor, the gizmo feels more aftermarket than factory-fitted. The climate control turn knobs, too, feels a tad plasticky.
Central control panel dulls the otherwise plush and well appointed interior  |  |
That aside, the plush rear bench and colour-matching door cards in a light shade of tan lend the interior a luxurious feel, pleasing to senses. The more conventional chassis design and large all-round windows give rise to great all-round visibility, not to mention enhancing the sense of space within the cabin, further accentuated by ample head and leg rooms.
On the other hand, the Camry's go-greener stablemate - the Camry hybrid packs a more impressive array of gadgetries, which makes the 2.5 petrol brethren simplistic in comparison. Especially when our test car felt a tad short on options, the hybrid bridges the shortcomings, at the same time achieving a better sense of occasion throughout the cabin.
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The Drive
The latest Camry ditches the power-chasing game in search of better efficiency. The 2.5-litre despatches 181bhp to see to a more leisurely century sprint of 9.7 seconds.
While the sedan does not ace in outright speed, it makes up for it with the ease of driving. Let's just say the Camry still has the 'Toyota magic' imbued in it. The intuitive interior layout means one can easily locate the starter button, and establish a working connection with the car immediately - fuss-free driving at its best.
As good as it seems on paper, this 2.5-litre is equipped with a six-ratio automatic gearbox (two more than that found on the 2.0-litre variant). When sampled however, gearshifts feel a tad notchy, its weaknesses most oblivion in city traffic. Steering too is iconic of the Japanese marque - direct, heavily-assisted, and lacks the connectivity at wheezing speeds.
The seasoned cruiser still do best at what it was conceived for, hushing along with the least of effort. Akin to what it does with its luxury arm (Lexus), the sedated ride that has grown synonymous with the marque is performed at best in the Camry, where hum from the highways are kept well at bay.
The latest Camry ditches the power-chasing game in search of better efficiency. The 2.5-litre despatches 181bhp to see to a more leisurely century sprint of 9.7 seconds.
While the sedan does not ace in outright speed, it makes up for it with the ease of driving. Let's just say the Camry still has the 'Toyota magic' imbued in it. The intuitive interior layout means one can easily locate the starter button, and establish a working connection with the car immediately - fuss-free driving at its best.
As good as it seems on paper, this 2.5-litre is equipped with a six-ratio automatic gearbox (two more than that found on the 2.0-litre variant). When sampled however, gearshifts feel a tad notchy, its weaknesses most oblivion in city traffic. Steering too is iconic of the Japanese marque - direct, heavily-assisted, and lacks the connectivity at wheezing speeds.
The seasoned cruiser still do best at what it was conceived for, hushing along with the least of effort. Akin to what it does with its luxury arm (Lexus), the sedated ride that has grown synonymous with the marque is performed at best in the Camry, where hum from the highways are kept well at bay.
Such is the allure of the creature comforts that one would gladly take the rear quarters over the helm's position anytime - or at least that is true for me personally. Not to say the Camry is any sluggish, but it just isn't as driver oriented as say a Kizashi or an Accord.
Conclusion
Best known for introducing luxury to the masses, the Camry has long been thought as the leading bread-and-butter sedan in its segment. The latest iteration is no head-turner, but is great at what it does, and should continue to attract glowing praises from its die-hard fans for its lush interiors.
No doubt too, that the re-engineered Camry has been honed for efficiency and build quality, but its eco-friendly stablemate does it better and greener. Consider the Camry Hybrid a variant upgrade than a mere save-the-earth extension.
Conclusion
Best known for introducing luxury to the masses, the Camry has long been thought as the leading bread-and-butter sedan in its segment. The latest iteration is no head-turner, but is great at what it does, and should continue to attract glowing praises from its die-hard fans for its lush interiors.
No doubt too, that the re-engineered Camry has been honed for efficiency and build quality, but its eco-friendly stablemate does it better and greener. Consider the Camry Hybrid a variant upgrade than a mere save-the-earth extension.
