2006 Toyota Camry Review

Specifications

Few Surprises

I knew there had to be a rationale behind every other car on the street being a Camry. I could reason it out for myself, that it wasnt likely to be its dashing good looks, though it has improved immeasurably over the years, appearing almost as good as a, er, Lexus ES. So whats the charm? Its a car. It has four wheels, four doors, a roof (in this case a sunroof), and a thrifty little engine that does everything its told to do. What else? Its got a trunk the size of my kitchen, a shiny chrome grille, alloy wheels and it doesnt drink its weight in gas every week.

But what does it have that other cars dont, because surely there are other cars out there that can check all of the items on the list above? True, but the Camrys got a reputation that so many other cars would give their left rear tires for: the most reliable vehicle this side of a commuter train (apologies to anyone whos ever been stuck on a broken-down train, but I never have, so Im sticking with that analogy).

Though there are challengers working overtime to knock the Camry off its perch (long time rival Honda Accord and relative upstart Hyundai Sonata being just two), no other car will soon supplant the Camry for dependability in peoples collective perception, as the Camry has had years to entrench itself as the king of reliability, having spent years locked in as Consumer Reports top pick and also taking into account Toyotas lock on JD Powers corporate dependability rankings. Granted, the Sonata has bumped off every rival in Consumer Reports perch for North Americas best car, and even domestics like a Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac Grand Prix outstrip it in recent Initial Quality Studies for entry-level midsize cars, but were talking reputation here, and no car can hang its hat on a reputation for reliability like the Camry can.

And that reputation, on its own, is likely single-handedly responsible for thousands and thousands of conquest sales (luring in Nissan, VW and GM buyers) across North America (Toyota pulls in six new customers for every one it loses), not to mention keeping those customers coming back to Toyota or moving up to Lexus when the time and income is right. I mean, who doesnt want a car that you never have to take in to the dealer, except for oil changes and regular scheduled maintenance.

However, a car doesnt sell on reputation alone, it has to make a person feel comfortable or inspired from the first test drive around the block. For the most part, the Camry leans in the direction of comfort, but Toyota also serves up the V6 Camry SE for those who feel the need to split duties between safe and secure suburban shuttle and the occasional adrenalin-inducing charge down the freeway. But thats a car for another review; this road test is all about the run-of-the-mill Camry LE, the almost base 4-cylinder workday commuter.

While I wouldnt personally call it commuting in style, what could be more stylish than showing up for work or school or play on time (clichés about being fashionably late aside). The body shape, in Phantom Gray Pearl is long and efficient and from a few angles is still
relatively attractive considering its age (see Fridays news story for
a look at what the upcoming 2007 model is expected to look like), but
it looks a little too much like an underwater traveler to really grab
attention. Between the frequency with which you see it on the road and
the innocuous design, most peoples eyes just slide off of it as it
blends in with the schools of midsize family sedans, most of which are Camrys, filling the streets. 

The interior is exactly what I expected, beyond intuitive, like I had been trained to be ready for Toyotas simple stereo and HVAC arrangement in the dash mounted control panel since birth. The dash is comprised of very nice rubberized plastic, the vents are large and maneuverable, the stereo buttons are large and easy to read and the three HVAC knobs integrate extra functions within the knob inset. The front chairs are sturdy and adjustable, and in the case of my tester that included the B Package, the power-adjustable drivers seat helping me settle in to a comfortable position easily. The back seat is roomy enough for many shopping bags and/or comfortably seats three, but its not exactly a limousine-like setting. Then again, I dont think it claims to be.

A twist of the key brings to life a quiet and sneaky engine. Its virtually silent at idle and so smooth taking off under mild acceleration that the only thing quieter must be hybrids on battery power alone, or the Lexus ES 330 or RX 300/400h, all based, more or less, on the Camry. I suppose Ill find out in a couple weeks when I drive a Lexus hybrid, truly the best of all worlds (those worlds being luxury, efficiency and power, too).

Meanwhile, the Camrys 4-cylinder is a model of efficiency without any electrical assist whatsoever, tackling commuting with the ease and grace of a dolphin at play. The engine produces 154-horsepower at peak and delivers 160 lb-ft of torque, more than enough for daily duties in and around town. Estimated fuel consumption is 24 mpg in city conditions and 37 mpg out on the open highway, assuming you drive 55 mph and never hit any traffic or hills (i.e. you can never go by estimates, but at least all automakers use the same parameters coming up with fuel consumption ratings so its easy to figure out which one is more efficient in any given market segment).

Much of the credit goes to fine engineering, and no doubt Toyotas Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) helps out a great deal too. VVT-i determines intake-valve timing, based on how high the engine is revving as well as how heavy your foot is on the throttle, to deliver the kind of performance the engine thinks you are demanding - hence the term intelligent.

Despite a relatively meager 2.4 liters of displacement, Toyota has harnessed every cc to its best advantage, meaning that the engine does its job without sounding strained or put out, always up to the task of bringing the car up to highway speeds or navigating the congested quarters of an inner citys grid.

Of course, maneuvering through city streets and the associated heavy traffic demands good braking response and a steering system that reacts to input quickly, and while the Camrys brakes arent what I would describe as sporty or breathtakingly responsive, they were easily up to the task of slowing me down and coming to a stop, even when someone decided to turn left but felt no responsibility to indicate such a maneuver with his turn signals. Thanks buddy.

Anyhow, part of the Camrys overall smoothness is attributable to its superb electronically-controlled 5-speed automatic gearbox, which seamlessly shifted from gear to gear, always maintaining optimal revs for the engine to maximize its sweet spot; where it got as much torque as necessary down to the wheels in every situation I encountered. While I wouldnt label any part of the process inspiring or adrenalin-inducing, Id expect Toyota saves such experiences for its Lexus brand, or possibly the next-generation Camry?

I would call it reassuring, mind you, and that is often the criteria new-car shoppers are looking to satisfy. In fact, the Camry had a soothing effect on my driving personality, transforming me into an easygoing driver. I adopted a, “Well get there when we get there” attitude, which, to anyone who knows me, might seem like a stretch of Mrs. Incrediblean proportions.

One thing that wasnt stretched was my arm strength, because this Camry is equipped with variable power assist steering. Spinning the wheel while stationary didnt overtax my limited parallel parking skills, or any of my parking skills for that matter, and then when the car was in full motion the steering stiffened substantially. At highway speeds it required only subtle turns of the wheel to affect the desired course. I wouldnt call it tight, as it was obviously calibrated for careful lane changes and such, but it was another aspect of the driving equation that I found reassuring.

Another criteria that I expect many in the market for a midsize-to-largish sedan are looking for is the ratio of standard features to price, so I will do something here that I am loathe to do: list a whole bunch of standard features and perhaps a price for a feature package or engine upgrade. Yes, I know you can get all this information in the specs section of this website or at www.toyota.com, but that wont allow me to show the Camrys value proposition here and now.

Just above the base “Standard” model, which sells for $18,445, the Camry LE starts at a respectable $19,545, with steel wheels, air conditioning, variable assist steering, power windows, mirrors and locks, Optitron gauges (which are awesome) and an AM/FM/CD stereo with single-disc capacity, to mention some of the highlights - all the basic conveniences. I wouldnt go so far to say it offers the best value in the midsize segment, at least not immediately, before factoring in its stellar 36-month resale value and therefore lower cost of use over three years, its an approachable price for most middle-income families.

Every Camry arrives with driver and passenger-side airbags, as well as a passenger weight-sensing system that will disable the airbag in the event of a child or very small person in that seat. I truly expected to read in the press release that it comes with six standard airbags, but apparently thats optional protection. I truly hope that Hyundais move to put in six standard airbags (two front, two side and two curtain) in even the base Accent registers with the rest of the manufacturers. Safety should not be optional.

Sign up for Toyotas B package and youre treated to limited open-top driving with a power tilt and slide sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable drivers seat with lumbar support (thank you), all for a reasonable $1,520, bringing the total price up to $21,065. This is the exact configuration in which my tester was outfitted.

If I was buying the Camry I would probably lose the B package and get the LE V6, which rings in at $22,780. The only thing I would really miss from the B package is the electrochromic rearview mirror, which is a godsend when someone with HID headlights crawls up your tailpipe at night. The real goodies start once you move up to the SE and XLE V6 versions, however, and some of the options lists really start to become overwhelming.

In order to get into Toyotas 3.3-liter V6, as found in various Toyota and Lexus products, you have to buck up for the SE, which also starts off with the base 2.4-liter unit for those that just want the dashing looks, which include sporty side skirts and a blacked out grille for a bit of boy-racer-ish attitude. In the SE, the 3.3 serves up 210-horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque, ample to engage spirited drivers. This engine is only available with the SE and includes improvements to the suspension to go along with the sporting appearance.

There is also a more efficient V6 for fence straddlers, a 3.0-liter unit that makes 190-horsepower and 197 lb-ft of torque. It is available on the LE, and is the only engine option with the XLE V6 trim level. Depending on your tastes, you can have leather, a variety of wheel and tire sizes, climate control, stereo upgrades, and most other items necessary for transporting you and your family for business and pleasure. XLE versions offer extra chrome and luxury touches too.

Relative newcomers, like Hyundais Sonata, have been making a lot of noise, recently bumping the Camry off its pedestal atop the CR rankings, but it will take many more years for Hyundai to catch up to the level of faith that people have in the Camry. Car buyers will continue to have their doubts about other cars, but the Camry is a sure bet, having delivered year after year on the promise of providing people with a car that simply does what its asked to do, without a fuss, and without regular trips to the repair shop. Truly, the biggest problem Toyota has with its Camry is making sure its owners bring it in for service at all. It seems that too many customers treat their Camrys like other less complicated appliances in their home, and only service it if it breaks down. Toyota says this is the reason the cars V6 previously experienced a “sludge” problem; its owners werent having the oil changed. 

And with Toyota undergoing a massive image makeover, under the branding of L-Finesse design language for its luxury nameplate Lexus and its newfound Vibrant Clarity vision for cars badged with the Toyota T, perhaps the worlds number two automaker, fast approaching number one I might add, will tighten up the next Camry and give it the looks to match its reputation (the photos shown in Fridays news story arent confirmed but are much more engaging, no?). Then again, tastes vary and many likely find the Camry an attractive package, not to mention the many people interested in a car for more than just appearances, who could care less what it looks like. In this case the Camry serves up exactly what people want.