subject: 2012 Toyota Camry: Leading, Like Always [print this page] Todays test car is the 2012 Toyota Camry, the best-selling car in the United States for the last 10 years (and counting) and 14 of the past 15 years.
The Camry has been totally redesigned for this model year and comes to market with a huge bulls-eye on its back.
Competition in the segment never has been so fierce. Traditionally, the Honda Accord is the Camrys number one rival. However, Toyotas seventh-generation Camry already is on the market and getting a running start with the redesigned Accord not due out until the middle of this year.
However, theres a new playing field. Both Hyundai (Sonata) and Kia (Optima) made inroads in capturing market share last year with Japanese automakers suffering production interruptions in the tsunami aftermath. Ford introduced a dynamic-looking redesign of its successful Fusion at this months North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Volkswagen (Passat), Chevrolet (Malibu), and Nissan (new Altima due out later this year) also want more mid-sized market share.
Thus the news that Toyota sold 33,000 Camrys in December was significant. So was the quote from Toyota Division general manager Bob Carter that the average age of Camry buyers had dropped from 60 to 52. Both are indications that Camry sales are going to stay strong.
Our test vehicle was the top-of-the-line XLE V-6 sedan. Its a Lexus-like vehicle with an MSRP (including destination) of $30,605. A variety of options, including premium audio/navigation ($1,550), blind spot monitoring ($500), and safety connect ($450) brought the bottom line to a near-Lexus $33,446.
Indeed, we wouldnt counter the argument that this version of the Camry is just short of the Lexus ES350the companys entry-level luxury vehicle thats based on the Camry platform. A redesign of the ES 350 is due out at midyear as the start of a big freshening of the Lexus lineup.
While we gasped at the sticker price, a little research shows that the base Camry starts at $22,715 with the sportier SE version at $23,760. Toyotas Carter told the industry newspaper Automotive News that the SE has been accounting for both 45 percent of sales and has an average buyers age of 45.
On the road the Camry is exceptionally quiet and the ride is refined. Bumpy roads were not a challenge and the speed-sensitive electronic power steering had a reassuring feel. As always, quality, dependability, and reliability are the Camry hallmarks and this version follows that formula.
Under the hood, the XLEs V-6 (with 268 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. of torque) gave amazing performance while giving us 27.2 miles per gallon. Its rated at 21 mpg city and 30 in highway driving. However, given the strides Toyota has made with its four-cylinder engine over the years, Id drive one of those first and expect to be happy with both the performance and extra 3-5 mpg. The four is available in all four trim levelsL, LE, SE, and XLE. The six is available only in the LE and XLE.
Both engines come with a six-speed automatic transmission. A few of us (I once owned a 97 V-6 Camry with a five-speed manual) might bemoan the lack of a manual shifter, but methinks it was the right choice. SE buyers will find that models automatic is set for faster shift times and downshift blipping when in sport mode.
Toyota did a nice job styling the new Camry. Its got a lower and wider stance. It was so low that at first glance I feared it would scrape on the steep entry to my driveway (hate when that happens to a new vehicle), but it was fine even on straight-on approaches. Gone is the hippy, saddlebag look that the previous design had when viewed from behind.
Inside, the engineers found a bit of extra space in the cabin. The XLEs standard heated seats were comfortable and supportive and materials were of good qualitylikely a decision to approach but not equal the entry-level Lexus. The multi-tiered dashboard with visible stitching was a Brooks Brothers-like touch.
Theres a economy gauge with a moving LED lights that arc over it from right to left to indicate (reward?) economical driving techniques. The instruments had a high-tech look as did the multi-functional touch screen for the navigation-audio system. Bluetooth worked well.
Camrys sales leader crown seems safe. It will be a major surprise if any of the competitionformidable as it may prove to becan wrest that away.
Overall, the LED lights are widely used for automotive lighting, and will come out with even more innovation in the future.
