| click photo to enlarge  6th Generation 2007-2008-2009 Toyota Camry The all-new 2007 Toyota Camry was unveiled on 9 January 2006 at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. Almost from its debut in the U.S. 23 years ago as a 1983 model, the Camry has been a quality car, a solid design, well built and with almost unmatched durability. For eight of the past nine years, the Camry has been the best selling car in America. The latest sixth-generation Toyota Camry was all new for 2007 and carries into 2008 relatively unchanged. But then again, Toyota doesn't have much of a reason to change its popular mid-sizer since it was the best selling car in America last year(2007) as well. |
America's best-selling car was redesigned for 2007 with new styling, more power and features, and, for the first time, a gas/electric-hybrid model built around Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive that dramatically reduces emissions, while offering excellent power and outstanding fuel economy. This new Hybrid Camry got a specially calibrated 4 cylinder gasoline engine combined with an electric drive motor and a 244 volt battery that you never have to recharge. This combination allows the car to achieve fuel economy numbers of 33 miles per gallon in the city and 34 MPG on the highway while being able to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under 9 seconds.
Top 5 features of Toyota Camry Hybrid
• Hybrid power train
• GPS navigation
• Plasmacluster air purification
• Bluetooth cell phone integration
• JBL stereo system
Besides the new Hybrid, other models in the Camry lineup include the value leader CE, the popular LE, the sporty SE and the upscale XLE, making a total of 5 models in all. Engine choices include a substantially upgraded 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine developing 158 horsepower and an all new, state-of-the-art 3.5 liter V6 rated at a healthy 268 horsepower. This new V6 is mated to an all-new 6 speed automatic transmission that provides smoother shifts and quicker response, especially during passing maneuvers.
Camry's overall length is unchanged vs. the 2002-2006 generation, but wheelbase grows 2.2 inches and height decreases 1 inch. Curtain side airbags are now standard instead of optional.
The steering column not only tilts, but telescopes so you do not have to sit too close to the steering wheel if you are a short person. In fact, the new Camry interior is roomier all around with lots of convenient storage spaces throughout. The dash was completely redesigned to give the impression of more room. Instruments like the speedometer are larger than on previous models and are easier to read. The rear seat feels a bit roomier than the previous generation Camry and, on the XLE, the rear seatbacks can also recline. They will only recline about as much as a coach seat in a commercial jet, but it is enough to allow back seat passengers to relax during long drives.
Test Drive: 2007-2008-2009 Toyota Camry
Performance
"The 2008 Toyota Camry drives much like most family sedans, not too sporty and not too soft." -- Kelley Blue Book
"Truly, those seeking a truly sporting drive in a midsize sedan will continue to be better served by such cars as the Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy and Volkswagen Passat. Still, the overriding impression is one of refinement and a somewhat isolated feel from the road compared to more athletic competitors." -- Edmunds
"2008 Toyota Camry offers comfortable, quiet and smooth ride, even when the road conditions are less than ideal." -- All Auto Reviews
"On the road, we were underwhelmed by the Camry's performance." -- Left Lane News
"The little four-cylinder is peppy and fun, despite the power-sapping limitations of the automatic transmission. The car drives smoothly and quietly enough up to about 70 mph, and then things turn a little raucous and unsettled, almost as though Toyota engineered the car to the U.S. freeway speed limit, but not a touch beyond." -- AutoWeek
Acceleration and Power
The 2008 Camry offers a 2.4-liter inline four with 158 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter V6 with 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. Reviewers say the base engine is sufficient for most drivers, but the V6 is good for providing a few thrills.
"Toyota's four-cylinder engine is not the strongest, but it's more than adequate with the manual transmission." -- New Car Test Drive
"Our LE model came with Toyota's 2.4L engine -- rated at 158 horsepower and 161 lb-ft of torque -- and struggled a bit to carry around the 3,300 lb Camry. According to Toyota, 0-60 takes a leisurely 9.5 seconds. Under acceleration, the engine is also quite loud and buzzy yet works well with the five-speed automatic transmission." -- Left Lane News
"The muscular V6 is a powerhouse, good for a zero to 60-miles-per-hour burst in less than seven seconds." -- Kelley Blue Book
"There's something really exciting about discovering the unexpected, especially when it comes in the form of the Camry's available 210-horsepower, DOHC, Variable-Valve-Timing V-6 engine. For those who don't want that much excitement, the standard four-cylinder DOHC job relies on Variable Valve timing to produce up to 157 horsepower." -- Wheels Direct2U
"V6's 6-speed automatic transmission is sometimes hesitant to kick down for passing power." -- Consumer Guide
Following a comparison test between the '07 Camry SE and a 2008 Honda Accord V6, Motor Trend editors found, "Though not as green as Honda's PZEV engine, Toyota's 24-valve mill provides virtually identical fuel economy, thanks in large part to the extra cog in its six-speed automatic, which, unlike the Accord's five-speed, offers a sport-oriented manual mode." -- Motor Trend
Handling and Braking
During a recent Car and Driver comparison test featuring the Camry, Dodge Avenger, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Chevy Malibu, Nissan Altima and Honda Accord, editors reported, "In stark contrast to the Fusion, it was almost impossible not to drive the Camry smoothly, making it the car everyone wanted to inhabit during heavy-traffic slogs." -- Car and Driver
A "quiet, soft ride still characterizes the Camry's on-road demeanor, though this year's revisions give the handling dynamics a slightly sportier feel." -- Carz Unlimited
Consumer Guide's team tested all Camry models at once. "Steering on all but the Hybrid is accurate and responsive, if a bit overboosted and numb in the opinion of some testers." -- Consumer Guide
"The SE has firmer springs, shock absorbers, stabilizer bars and bushings to improve handling and limit body roll over the other trim levels." -- Cars.com
When test driving the SE, NCTD editors found, "While we never doubted the stopping power, brake pedal feel and travel are still sedan-grade: a bit soft and long for our enthusiast-driver preferences." -- New Car Test Drive
2007-2008-2009 Model Toyota Camry Awards & Achievements
Motor Trend named redesigned Toyota Camry as 2007 Car of the Year. Consumer Automotive Group, announced that the redesigned Toyota Camry, the sixth edition of America's best-selling car, is Motor Trend's 2007 Car of the Year. The award goes to the entire Camry range, including the Camry Hybrid.
"Creating an innovative, engaging automobile with broad mainstream appeal is one of the toughest tasks facing any automaker," said Angus MacKenzie, editor in chief of Motor Trend. "The Camry is the one car rival automakers all wish they could build. It offers something for nearly everyone--performance, efficiency, and roominess--at a price point most Americans can afford." MacKenzie added, "Toyota offers the Camry with a regular four cylinder engine, or a sporty V-6 that enables it to hit 60 mph in just six seconds - that's about as fast as a V-8 musclecar from the '60s and '70s. Buyers looking for ultimate fuel economy can choose the Camry Hybrid, which uses the same innovative hybrid powertrain technology as Toyota's Prius to save gas."
Autobytel/MyRide.com declared Toyota Camry as the winner of 2008 Consumer Choice Award for Most Requested Vehicle. Autobytel Inc. announced the winners of its 2008 Autobytel/MyRide.com Consumer Choice Awards at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention in San Francisco. The awards recognize the automakers that built the cars and trucks most requested by Autobytel's millions of online auto shoppers during 2007, one offering a unique look into the vehicle selection decisions of online car buyers.
Toyota Camry was named 2007 Canadian Car of the Year by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada. The award was given out as part of the Canadian International Auto Show.
Road & Travel Magazine has awarded the title of Most Dependable - Sedan Of The Year to 2007 Toyota Camry at the 11th Annual 2007 International Car of the Year awards (ICOTY).
Presented with the flair of the Academy Awards, the ICOTY Awards honor 10 new vehicles in 10 categories in the new model year. Nominees include vehicles that are manufactured by American, British, German, Japanese, Korean and Swedish automakers but are sold in America.
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