New Car Review -- 2007 Toyota Camry (and the HyCam)

New Car Review -- 2007 Toyota Camry
By Eric Peters

America's family car gets even better.

America's best-selling family sedan happens to be a Japanese family sedan -- the Toyota Camry.

For 2007, the world's number two (and closing) automaker has given buyers even more reasons to lean the Camry's way -- including a newly available (and 43 mpg-capable) gas-electric powertrain for the mileage-conscious, a potent new 268 horsepower V-6 (for the power hungry) and Lexus-like interior appointments (including available reclining rear seats) for the comfort-seekers.

The '07 Camry also gets a new exterior and interior makeover that has transformed it into the sleekest, sportiest-looking Camry to date -- as well as the roomiest on the inside.

The '07 model's wheelbase has been pushed out 2.2 inches compared with the outgoing Camry's -- 109.3 inches vs. 107.1 inches -- but the '07 is just exactly as long overall (189.2 inches) as the previous Camry. Toyota decided to expand the passenger cabin a little bit in all directions, without increasing the exterior dimensions of the car itself. The end result is just a bit more front and rear seat legroom in the '07 than there was in the '06 -- 41.7 and 38.3 inches vs. 41.6 and 37.8 inches, respectively. Ditto shoulder room, which grows slightly to 57.8 inches for front seat passengers and 56.9 for backseat passengers in the '07 vs. 57.5 and 56.7 in the outgoing '06 model.

Is it noticeable? That will depend on how big you are. An extra tenth or two of an inch may not seem like much of a difference -- unless you're six-foot-four. It's the sort of thing that can be a make it or break it deal for some folks. You'll have to try it and see for yourself.

There is one noticeable trade-off, however.

While the '07 Camry's interior has grown, its trunk has shrunk. The '06 model had a 16.7 cubic footer; the new '07's is down to 15 cubic feet. The loss of 1.7 cubic feet may be more deeply felt than the incremental gain of elbow, leg and knee room. That's a call you -- and your family -- will have to make.

Other aspects of the new Camry are very clear improvements, with no trade-offs at all -- including a slight price drop (the '07 CE carries an MSRP of $18,270 vs. $18,445 for the outgoing base model '06) despite an increase in standard equipment, including AC and 16-inch wheels. The base model '07 CE also comes with cruise control, power windows and locks, tilt/telescoping wheel and a six-speaker stereo with in-dash single CD player. A safety feature worth commenting on is the standard driver's side knee air bag -- in addition to side impact and full-length head/curtain air bags. The only major piece of safety equipment that's not included in the Camry's as-it-sits $18k base price is stability/traction control. It's a $650 option -- and the only "big ticket" extra on the entry-level CE.

The 2.4 liter engine is pretty much a carryover -- although there is a slight increase in rated output, which goes from 154-hp in last year's Camry to 158 in the new 2007. As before, it can ordered with either a manual 5-speed or automatic transmission. And as before, it is adequately powerful either way -- though don't expect to smoke the neighbor kid's new Civic Si.

For that, you'll need a bigger stick. Or the Camry's newly available 3.5 liter V-6. Rated at 268-hp, it is by the far the most powerful engine ever offered in a Camry -- and a major uptick from last year's 3-liter, 190-hp V-6. In fact, the V-6 Camry's got substantially more beans than the 2006 Lexus ES300 luxo-sport sedan (3.3 liters/218 advertised horsepower). It easily thrashes the V-6 Honda Accord (3 liters/244-hp) and manages to get better gas mileage, too (22 city/31 highway for the Toyota vs. 20 city/29 highway for the V-6 Accord). The '07's gas mileage is also better than last-year's Camry V-6 -- which was only good for 20 city/28 highway. Consider the extra 78-hp a freebie -- at least in terms of MPGs.

With its newfound muscle, the V-6 Camry is becoming a something of a hot rod, at least in terms of its 0-60 times. The car's good for 6.8 second timeslips, an immediately noticeable improvement over the '06 V-6 Camry -- which wouldn't dip into the sixes without a JATO rocket bolted to its roof. The new Camry can even nip at the heels of snooty (and high-priced) Euro-sport sedans like the $30,900 BMW 325i -- which need 6.7 seconds to do the deed. And yes indeedy, the '07 Camry V-6 can stomp your neighbor kid's Civic Si -- which requires more than 7 seconds to reach 60.

Call it Family Guy revenge.

The only downside (and it may not be a downside for many buyers) is the Camry's bench-pressing V-6 is not offered with a manual transmission. A new six-speed automatic is mandatory with this engine. Most buyers probably won't mind at all. The Camry, after all, is not really a sport sedan -- although it now has the beans to beat many of them, clutch or no. Toyota does offer the V-6 with a semi-sporty SE package ($24,315) which comes with 17-inch wheels and a slightly firmer-riding suspension. (The same basic package is also available with the 4-cylinder engine -- and a manual transmission.) It won't out-autocross a Beemer, but it's enough to make fast work of Buicks.

Or for a little less money ($23,040) you can get the LE V-6 -- and the effortless power of the big engine with a softer-tuned suspension and luxury/convenience upgrades like keyless entry and 8-way power driver's seat.

The top-of-the-line $27,520 XLE V-6 has become a Lexus in all but name -- and price.

In addition to the V-6/six-speed automatic, this version of the Camry includes an electric sunroof, wood and leather trim, 440-watt premium JBL audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, reclining rear seats (just like a Maybach!) and automatic dual zone climate control. Add the optional in-dash/LCD display and navigation system ($1,200), VSC traction and stability control ($650), heated from seats and Smart Key "keyless" igniton ($440 and $450, respectively) and you've just barely crested $30k. But you've got nine-tenths of what makes the $33,170 Lexus ES350 what it is for three grand less. Remember, the ES350 basically is a Camry (both cars are built on the same basic chassis/platform and have nearly identical drivetrains, etc.) They have similar interiors, comparable room -- and ride and drive very much the same.

Add GPS navigation to the ES350 (which is not included in its $33,170 base price) and you'll be looking at $35,000 -- vs. five grand less for the same basic car, with most of the same equipment. And more of it (such as GPS) in some cases.

Just food for thought.

Or choose the gas-electric hybrid Camry -- and get as much as 43 mpg in city driving (37 mpg on the highway) with 8.9 second 0-60 capability. The hybrid Camry's base price of $25,900 is only about $100 more than the base price of last year's V-6 Camry XLE -- but you'll get almost twice the mileage around town (and a solid 10 mpg more on the open road) with the same power (192-hp, total) and comparable acceleration capability/performance.

That's another win-win. And one more reason why Toyota will likely have no trouble at all selling another 400,000-plus Camrys this year.

Eric Peters is a syndicated automotive columnist and author of "Automotive Atrocities: Cars We Love to Hate (MBI)." His columns have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Investors Business Daily and Bottom Line Personal Finance. Readers may contact him at [email protected].