With the anticipation of parents watching their child win a spelling bee with the final letter, we watched the Camry's point total edge out the Accord's by a 0.64 margin. Despite what this might indicate, there really was no dispute regarding which of these four cars should win the comparison.
In truth, however, after the first five minutes behind the wheel of the all-new 2007 Camry, each evaluator came away with the same impression: "This is a Camry?" Every so often, an automaker produces something so extraordinary that it manages to not only eclipse its own predecessor, but also succeeds in making the competition appear obsolete.
One might expect this scenario from, say, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche or Ferrari, but not from Toyota. Small, measured steps are what we've grown to expect from the Asian manufacturer. Toyota, it seems, has found its mojo. The company has tapped into a new, more confident, riskier and more rewarding future as a result.
If this is the kind of progression we should now anticipate when Toyota replaces an old model with a new one, then we'll need to recalibrate our expectations for future redesigns — and so should everybody else.
Yes, it can do that, too
If this were a performance-sedan test, a luxury-sedan test or an economy-car test, the Camry still would've won. In reality, performance, luxury and economy are considerations of family sedan buyers, whether they realize it or not.
The 2007 Camry is a do-it-all automobile, the one that pleases Mom and Dad and impresses the boss without embarrassing the kids. The V6 Camry makes the dash to 60 mph in less time than a recent BMW 330i did, it was nearly as quiet as a Bentley Flying Spur at idle and wide-open throttle, and its 22 city/31 highway EPA fuel economy rating matches that of a four-cylinder Honda Civic Si. Pretty impressive stuff to say the least.
Quick, yes, and pleasant, too
OK, so the Camry is an impressive piece of engineering, but it's also a pleasant place to spend a few hundred miles. The new car's interior is fresh and intriguing. Wrote one editor, "Lovely faux wood, and I love the icy turquoise backlighting for the frosted center stack trim. It matches the navi system graphics and makes me feel like I'm at some trendy bar in L.A."
The one complaint we logged was that its front seats seem to be calibrated to a 99th-percentile biometric in terms of side bolstering. Either that, or Toyota believes Americans are as porky as the news reports suspect. Other than that, the logbooks gushed with admiration for the Camry's supple, quiet ride, uncharacteristically sporty handling and totally unexpected acceleration. More unexpected XLE creature features include (slightly) reclining rear seats, rear-seat HVAC vents and a rear-window sunshade.
Fly in the ointment
So what's not to love? If you're like most of our staff, you might not care for the exterior styling. So much of how the front end is shaped is determined by the prominent Toyota "sombrero" badge front and center. One editor said the grille reminded him of a proboscis monkey and the rear was afflicted with "Bangle Butt." That may be a little harsh, but we are happy to report that Toyota has found a way to route the Camry's exhaust so it no longer looks like the entire system is one pothole away from falling off the car completely — as it appeared on the previous car.
Then there's the matter of the highest as-tested price over $30,000. Forgetting for the moment the yet-to-be released Camry Hybrid, the entire model range pricing has increased by less than a percentage point and is competitive with the Accord's. A base-model four-cylinder Camry CE starts under $20,000 and our top-line XLE V6's base price is about $28,000. In between, there are eight others (five grades) from which to choose.
Here's the staggering news: All models include air conditioning with pollen filter, power windows, door locks and exterior mirrors, cruise control, auto on/off halogen headlamps, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, tire-pressure monitoring, six-speaker audio system with CD and auxiliary jack, seven airbags and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist. Compare that list of standard features with the others' options and you'll soon find the value in the Camry's favor.
Some might look at our decision to award the Camry 1st place and say, "Well of course the Camry won: It's the newest." Yes, it is, and Toyota certainly has taken the lead with the new car. Though in the end, the balance the Camry achieved in all our categories was superior to that of the other cars. With its standard content, optional features, performance, reputation and price, the Camry sets the bar ever higher. Yes, you get what you pay for, and in this case that turns out to be a new benchmark in the highly competitive family sedan market. For now, the 2007 Toyota Camry is the new sheriff in town.
I think they should have used the Hyundai Azera along with or instead of the Sonata, as it's priced alongside the Camry and Accord while the Sonata is not. As it was, they tested the car that was almost $6,000 cheaper than the winner, and then complained that it wasn't as luxurious.
I think they should have used the Hyundai Azera along with or instead of the Sonata, as it's priced alongside the Camry and Accord while the Sonata is not. As it was, they tested the car that was almost $6,000 cheaper than the winner, and then complained that it wasn't as luxurious.
The Azera is not in the same class as the Camry. It is in the class with the Avalon. I cant rememebr if it ws edmunds or Motor trend that did a test with the Avalon, Azera and Passat.
Price is the the determining factor in which cars they rest together it is the size class. And right now the Sonata is in the same midsize class as the Camry.
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PLEASE DO NOT GET RID OF THE OLD TN AS WE KNOW IT.
Watch the Video clip. During the Camry 0-60 test they show a Yaris.....
Yeah I saw that...the Yaris sedan, they must have a newbie editor on or something. Anyway its really cool that the Camry won...I have to admit and I think a lot of people feel this way, the previous gen Camry's were pretty forgettable in terms of exterior design, and "non-sporty" driving, (yes I know it wasn't intended to be a sports car but obviously times are changing as far as what people want in a car, even if it's a "family car.")but this one is the one Camry I would look at twice. Finally Toyota stepped up. I don't think pictures do it justice, when I saw it for the first time in person at the auto show...I crapped my pants, it looks so sharp, especially in black (IMHO)-of course the female presenter was looking fine. Makes you wonder how Honda will react for the 08 Accord Anyway way to go TOYOTA!!
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The Azera is not in the same class as the Camry. It is in the class with the Avalon. I cant rememebr if it ws edmunds or Motor trend that did a test with the Avalon, Azera and Passat.
Price is the the determining factor in which cars they rest together it is the size class. And right now the Sonata is in the same midsize class as the Camry.
The two important factors are size and price. The Azera is closer to the Camry than the Sonata in both.
but we are happy to report that Toyota has found a way to route the Camry's exhaust so it no longer looks like the entire system is one pothole away from falling off the car completely — as it appeared on the previous car.
when i first saw it i thot something was wrong cuz it was hanging pretty low.
finally the camry beats the accord..it was tiring seeing the camry behind the accord
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The slowest Edmunds got 0-60 6.5s
. Makes you wonder how Honda will react for the 08 Accord
Anyway way to go TOYOTA!!
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