2005 Toyota Solara Review

Specifications

Living in the Lap of Luxury on a Budget

Not too long ago I spent a week in Toyotas all-new Camry Solara coupe. To be honest, I wasnt expecting to be so impressed. For sure, the previous models refinement was good, especially its comfortable ride, silky smooth powertrain and high-quality switchgear. It included many creature comforts too, all designed to pamper occupants. Yet as good as it was, the old Solaras styling left me a bit flat and its performance was, well, nothing to get excited about.

The 2004 Solara was an entirely different experience. At first sight the stylish new model promised a sportier experience, delivered by its more powerful V6 engine and tighter, yet still compliant suspension. But it was the Lexus-like interior that had me shaking my head, wondering just how any domestic manufacturer would ever catch up to Japans top brand. Beautifully designed, expertly executed, it brings premium styling and quality to a class that doesnt get to experience such refinement very often.

Now Toyota has transformed this refinement into a convertible, and it lacks nothing in features when compared to its coupe counterpart. The aluminum-look audio interface is still as intriguing to look at as a high-end Macintosh, mirrored by an equally attractive and easy to use automatic climate control system. I like the 3D clear plastic trim separating the upper portion of the center stack from that beneath, but the heated seat switches placed within only feature one setting. With Chryslers Sebring Convertible managing to incorporate 6-way heated seats, a single setting seems fairly low-rent.

The interior plastics quality, impressive faux wood trim and perforated leather seating surfaces dont come across as tenement housing projects, however, the latter being as comfortable as any in this segment and better than most. Between the seats is a very contemporary clear plastic shiftgate surround, followed by two lidded cupholders and an almost intrusively tall and wide armrest. The benefit to this, of course, is ample storage for what-have-you items that would otherwise clutter up the cockpit. Also included inside is a 12-volt power outlet, and a little upper bin separator, cloth lined like the bottom one.

Toyota sells a base model SE as well as the SLE I tested. This strategy makes the classy Toyota convertible more within reach of less affluent Americans.

The list of luxury and convenience features that come as part of the SLE is long, and includes steering wheel audio controls, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, electrochromic drivers side mirror, filtered air conditioning, and a cargo net for the trunk. The new Solara convertible sports a new multi-information display as well, that instantly provides information on topics such as exterior air temperature, fuel consumption, or driving distance estimates.

Safety features include an advanced driver airbag that deploys only after sensors in the seat relay information regarding seat position and impact severity. The front passenger gets a standard airbag, but with passenger sensing technology that will shut the system off if a passenger light or small enough that deployment could cause injury. Within the dash-top digital readouts, gold-colored “PASSENGER AIRBAG” script is accompanied by either an “ON” or “OFF” orange backlit notification. A bright red seatbelt pictograph will flash annoyingly if your passenger happens to have forgotten to buckle up, or in my case for instance, your passenger happens to be an open laptop case.

Other standard safety items include ABS brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) that are extremely effective under normal situations or duress, while stability is enhanced by Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) - fortunately no opportunity to test these.

As mentioned previously the audio interface is sensational to look at, but fortunately its beauty is more than skin deep. Audiophiles will appreciate the seven JBL speakers, including rear subwoofer, and in-dash 6-CD changer, plus the steering wheel audio controls are quite handy. Other luxury items the Solara Convertible boasts include heated side mirrors, cruise control, keyless entry with lockout protection and more.

Its standard features make it read more like a Lexus than Toyota, a theme that carries over to the cars interior quality, luxurious ride and performance, but thats part of the Japanese brands strategy to secure continued growth in a highly competitive new car market.

Like the interior, the engine bay sports Lexus-like mechanicals, including a version of the ES and RX 330s recently upgraded 3.3-L V6. Mated to that is the new 5-speed Sequential Multi-Mode automatic transmission, making this drop-top a fairly sporty package in a straight line, delivering 225 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 240 lb-ft of maximum torque at 3,600 rpm to the front wheels. Torque steer, that tug on the steering wheel front-wheel drive cars display under full acceleration can be felt, but its not bothersome.

The 24-valve, DOHC engine features Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), two-stage Acoustic Control Induction, and Electronic Throttle Control with intelligence (ETCS-i), delivering snappy power delivery while improving fuel-efficiency and emissions. Along with the 5-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, new car is certified as an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV).

I cant say the convertibles handling is as impressive as its hardtop counterpart, despite its standard low-profile P215/55R17 all-season radials, as the cars chassis flexes much more than expected. Ive driven a lot of convertibles lately, most being short-wheelbase models such as Chryslers PT Cruiser Convertible and Crossfire Roadster, plus the BMW Z4, each wonderfully rigid even over rough roads. Audis A4 Cabriolet and BMWs 3-Series Convertible are slightly larger than those just mentioned, but still fall short in size when compared to the Solara while offering better chassis response - for a lot more money of course. Truly, the only car that truly competes with the new Toyota in dimensions, price and target demographic is Chryslers best-selling Sebring Convertible. The Sebring flexes awkwardly too, but no worse than this Solara. The Toyota was especially bad traveling quickly down the some of my citys bumpy streets, with shaking and shuddering vibrations that I can imagine will turn to rattles over time. I expect more from Toyota, but can appreciate how difficult it must be to exorcise such demons out of a car with such a long wheelbase. At lower speeds, however, the shake was reduced, and on smoother surfaces the flex seemed non-existent. Of course, Ive driven from Vancouver to Quebec, California to New York, and Amsterdam to Cannes for that matter, and the smooth patches are almost always interspersed with bumps and dives, mostly made from pavement repairs. In other words, with ideal road surfaces difficult to find the Solara Convertible may prove unnerving to perfectionists.

The benefit to the long wheelbase is rear seat legroom, which must be among the best in its class. Head and shoulder room is pretty decent back there too, a commodity that is usually severely compromised in this class of car. The trunk is also quite large for a convertible, with a full-size alloy spare hidden under the cargo floor as standard equipment. Incidentally, Toyota has added a new tire pressure warning system as well.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the most important aspect of this model, its convertible top. Its nicely lined fabric top with excellent insulation and a defog-equipped glass rear window. The top lowers and rises quickly, but I cant say I was impressed with the latching mechanisms. Unlike the majority of luxury convertibles that either feature fully automatic operation or the need to twist and pull a centrally-mounted lever, the Solara incorporates two levers on either side of the windshield surround. This means its extremely difficult to drop the top without bending and stretching over the center console, if your body so permits, or getting out and unclipping it from the passengers seat. In other words, the convenience of not being able to retract the softtop at an intersection negates its speedy power mechanism.

Whats even clumsier is the massive, plastic tonneau cover. Modern day convertibles are mostly doing away with such inconveniences, as owners tend not to be bothered with them resulting premature wear of exposed mechanical hardware. When the top is up the tonneau takes up half of the trunk, and when down it ended up consuming the entire rear seat, as I got frustrated trying to snap it into place and left it back there. Needless to say, while the top looks to be well made its operation is anything but convenient.

The new Solara Convertible went on sale across the nation in April, with a price tag lower than the equivalently equipped outgoing model, despite its more powerful engine, additional standard features and sportier new design. At $29,450 the new Solara SLE drop-top is fairly decent value for the money. The SE starts at a slightly more reasonable $25,950, without some key features of course.

“More car for less money is a combination Toyota is sure customers will find irresistible,” stated a line from Toyotas press release. “The top-down driving fun of the Camry Solara Convertible is even more appealing when you see and try Solaras sleek new body design, sporty new performance, exceptional features and unbeatable Toyota quality and dependability,” it continued.

In the end Ive got mixed emotions. I find the new exterior design a big improvement over the outgoing Solaras rather staid styling, and the interior is fabulous. The powertrain is also faultless, with reliability that should follow in the tire tracks of the previous Solara, and current Camry and Lexus ES 330, or in other words it should be near the top of its class. But the cars unstable chassis, shaking and wobbling while negotiating imperfect road surfaces would put me off. The Solara Convertible is a great car, with one inherent Achilles heal, and thats unfortunate.

That said if you happen to live, or vacation for extended periods of time in a land of enduring sunshine, where the roads are manicured by skilled city workers on a regular basis, then you shouldnt find the flexing chassis a problem. But most of us dont reside in Montecito or Fort Lauderdale… oh well; such is the life of the working stiff.