Review: Toyota Camry continues to evolve, attract buyers

The Camry travels an estimated 25 city or 35 highway miles on a gallon of regular fuel.

A few years ago, the previous editor of this newspaper was torn between buying a Mazda6 or a Toyota Camry and asked for my “expert” advice.

I recommended the Mazda because of its distinctiveness and sporty personality.

He bought a Camry.

But I couldn’t fault the editor’s decision. Toyota’s Camry has been a well-rounded, dependable and best-selling vehicle since it debuted in 1983.

Yet it has been maligned by auto writers as being bland and devoid of personality.

It has been accused by owners of accelerating on its own, a bum rap dismissed by a government investigation.

Even Mother Nature has taken a shot at Camry. An earthquake and tsunami hurt Camry sales by hampering production of some of its parts.

Yet the Camry continues to prevail. It has been America’s best-selling car for 13 of the past 14 years, and sales have surged with the introduction of its seventh generation. According to Reuters, Camry sales are up 37 percent the first three months of 2012 compared with the same period last year.

Spending a week with a 2012 Camry LE helps explain its popularity. It may not be the sleekest, sexiest or most scintillating four-door sedan on the market, but it has plenty of attributes and few flaws.

Toyota stylists did a nice job of making the new Camry more appealing inside and out. They streamlined the taillights and headlights. The front end looks lower, wider and sportier. A bit more chrome and more prominent rocker panels contribute to the sportiness.

The interior also underwent a noticeable transformation, highlighted by a soft-touch, leather-look dashboard cap with simulated raised stitching. Large and legible instrumentation, beefy and intuitive controls, and brushed aluminum-look accents enhance the updated interior.

There still are plenty of hard plastic surfaces — particularly on the door panels — but the redesign is nevertheless a significant upgrade.

The upgrade wasn’t limited to touchy-feely things. Camry hasn’t grown on the outside, but redesigned seats and door panels help make it roomier inside. Rear-seat knee room increases 1.8 inches for outboard occupants, and the center seat gains 2 inches of legroom.

Cargo room also increases to 15.4 cubic feet. Since 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks are now standard on all models, cargo-carrying versatility is also up.

Camry’s ride is better than ever

Toyota also improved the Camry’s performance.

Its plush ride, always an attribute, is better than ever. Toyota added more sound-deadening materials to a vehicle that was already as quiet as a luxury car. And it improved ride quality by stiffening the Camry’s body and reworking its front and rear suspensions.

Those changes combine with a new electronic steering system to improve handling. The Camry LE that I tested cornered with more confidence and tracked better at highway speeds than its predecessors.

Powertrain performance has also improved. The standard six-speed automatic transmission seems to respond more quickly and shifts so fluidly that gear changes are often imperceptible.

Other than the Camry Hybrid, which will have to wait for another column, a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine is standard on all 2012 models. A carryover 3.5-liter V6 is available on SE and XLE trims.

But the four-cylinder worked so well I never missed the extra horsepower or torque offered by the V6, which is rated the most fuel-efficient in its class.

The four-cylinder, which has nine more horses than last year, delivered ample pop for passing on the highway and climbing some steep grades on the interstate in upstate New York.

It’s so smooth, quiet and capable that it felt more like a six- than a four-cylinder. Until I looked at the trip computer, that is. The EPA estimates that a four-cylinder Camry will travel 25 city or 35 highway miles on a gallon of regular fuel.

Those numbers are terrific for such a roomy sedan. Even more terrific was the fact that I actually averaged over 34 mpg during an 850-mile round trip.

I was even more impressed with the numbers on the Camry’s window sticker. The test car’s MSRP was $23,360.

With all that it has going for it, it’s no wonder the Camry is likely to be this country’s most popular car for the tenth straight year. The only surprise is that it seems to have gotten such little acclaim during its reign as America’s favorite sedan.

NUTS AND BOLTS

What is it? 2012 Toyota Camry LE, the seventh generation of America’s favorite car.

What’s it cost? Camry base prices (not counting Camry Hybrid) range from $22,055 for an L to $30,115 for an XLE V6.

What I liked best: Incredible mileage for a big, comfortable sedan. What I liked least: 6.1-inch touch screen is standard, but backup camera isn’t.

Who’s it for? More car buyers than any other model in America, apparently.

Important numbers: 2.5-liter, 16-valve, In-line 4 produces 178 hp, 173 lbs-ft of torque. 6-speed automatic. 109.3-inch wheelbase. 3,190-lb curb weight. 15.4 cu. ft. trunk. 0-60 in 8.5 sec. (stopwatch). 25 city/ 35 highway mpg (EPA).

Scott Wasser is a freelance auto writer who has been reporting on cars and motorcycles since 1988. Email him at carguysw@aol.com.