We talk about the Mona Lisa but hang velvet Elvis paintings in our homes. We get excited about Broadway but prefer to see Oklahoma at the local dinner theatre. We would never dream of gifting the spouse a crock pot, but just watch how fast we run home when the pot’s been tenderizing a roast. We prattle on about that night at the fancy steak house, but wind up going to the all-you-can-eat buffet every Wednesday night.
Or maybe we’re just dreamers, always searching for something that adds fleeting excitement to our lives. Indeed, this desire even spreads into the cars we drive: that guy fantasizing about parking a Porsche at a beach house will go outside and climb into his Camry, drive to his suburban tract home and sit down to a nice tuna casserole dinner. Later, he’ll watch
for the fifteenth time, waddle upstairs and do it all over again the next day.
And really, he wouldn’t change a thing. The fact is that we like plain food in large portions, obvious plot lines, and comfortable cars that run forever and make us feel smarter for purchasing them, which is why the Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car in America for most of the past decade. And because we don’t really change, neither will the Camry: it will always be the epitome of efficient transportation, a useful car that’s big enough, powerful enough, priced right, and as dependable as heartburn after our weekly buffet frenzy. As they have with the 2007 Camry, Toyota updates the vehicle to reflect our evolving tastes, because evolution is exactly where we’re at: we don’t change so much as evolve, and Toyota does the same with its Camry, and the result is a better car built for an American public that dreams about retro pony cars but keeps going back to the Toyota dealership for a nice, reliable ride.
There’s even a hybrid Camry now, and in typical fashion, Toyota has built it with the practical American commuter in mind, emphasizing fuel economy and efficiency in what promises to be a model we will pay more than sticker for, wait in line for, and be glad of it when delivery is made. The hybrid averages about 38 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving, and boasts a fine-tuned Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain that’s totally transparent, save for the in-dash readout and its noticeably quiet performance.
It’s not as if Toyota needs a hybrid version of the Camry to sell more copies, however. The more traditional internal combustion models significantly improve on the outgoing Camry, with more room, a sexy style inside and out, better performance, and a bevy of choices. Of course, there are some weak spots, areas that present competitors with an opportunity to make up sales ground. Shoppers may be able to find a more powerful four-cylinder sedan, for example, and some may not like the new front grille, with its pointed nose and enlarged Toyota badge. The reality is that competition for sedan sales is growing fiercer all the time, with more choice from all corners. Kia has a new Optima with more four-cylinder power, and Ford’s Fusion aims to offer people more style with a competitive price and a refined interior. Hyundai has a new Sonata already burning up the sales charts, and the ever-present Honda Accord and Nissan Altima will surely take their fair share of buyers.
Somehow, Toyota stays on top with its Camry, and the 2007 version promises to keep the thousands of families in the market for a sedan coming back for more. Yes, there are sedans out there with more flair, some with a more appealing proposed value, others with more power or performance. But few cars match the Camry as a total package; a well-made, satisfying sedan to drive every day. The 2007 Toyota Camry improves that proposition, giving Toyota the car people want and need, even if it’s not the car they dream about.
Model Mix Model Mix
For the first time, the Toyota Camry will also be available with a hybrid powertrain, a major development in the company’s continuing drive to sprinkle Hybrid Synergy Drive throughout its vehicle lineup, and a natural extension of the successful Prius.A significant key to the Toyota Camry’s continued success is that way in which Toyota outfits the car, and the choices available to an increasingly demanding American consumer. That variety continues with the 2007 version, as Camry shoppers can choose between the base CE trim, the mid-range LE trim with a four- or six-cylinder engine, a sporty SE model, or the top-tier XLE model. For the first time, the Camry will also be available with a hybrid powertrain, a major development in Toyota’s continuing drive to sprinkle Hybrid Synergy Drive throughout its vehicle lineup and a natural extension of the successful Prius. Prices for the 2007 Camry were not available at press time, but Toyota representative say that stickers will stay about the same as the outgoing model.
All trims are admirably equipped and offer a strong value, such as side-impact and side-curtain airbags standard on all models. The CE, for example, offers value with a competitive list of standard features and an improved powertrain that features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic transmission. The base Camry rides on 16-inch wheels and has four-wheel-disc brakes. Standard equipment on the 2007 Toyota Camry CE includes automatic headlamps, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel with audio controls, and a six-speaker stereo with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack. Other standard features include dual color-keyed power outside mirrors, power door locks, power mirrors, and cruise control. In addition to side-impact and side-curtain airbags, the Camry is also fitted with a driver knee airbag. Camry CE models get a nice fabric interior, a manually-adjustable six-way driver’s seat, and a 60/40 rear split seat. Options for the Camry CE include Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC).
That’s a nicely outfitted car – but choices expand a bit more when you get to the LE and SE models. First, the powertrain grows up, with the addition of an optional 3.5-liter V6 engine and a new six-speed automatic transmission. The Camry LE adds remote keyless entry and an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat to the Camry CE’s standard feature list. Options on the LE include a JBL premium sound system with an in-dash CD changer, eight speakers and Bluetooth capability; a power moonroof, VSC, and TRAC.
The SE model, otherwise known as the “sporty” Camry, offers buyers standard features such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, sport fabric seat and door trim, metallic-style interior trim, a black sport grille, a re-tuned suspension, fog lamps, a subtle body kit, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The SE model has a fixed rear seat with center pass-through; a folding seat would weaken structural rigidity and thus affect the handling that Camry engineers wanted for the SE version. Options for the SE include leather trim and heated seats (with leather package).
Those shopping the 2007 Camry XLE will find standard features that include 16-inch alloy wheels; heated outside mirrors; an eight-speaker stereo with an in-dash six-disc CD changer, an MP3 player, and Bluetooth capability; dual-zone automatic climate control with pollen filter; rear climate vents; and Toyota’s new Plasmacluster technology, which eliminates airborne nasties. Other standard features include a driver’s auto up/down power window (all other trims get driver down functionality), a leather-wrapped steering wheel with auxiliary audio and climate controls, a power moonroof, an eight-way power driver’s seat, a four-way power passenger’s seat, fog lamps, a manually retractable rear window sunshade, and a 40/20/40 split reclining rear seat. Options include a navigation system, VSC and TRAC, push-button start and entry with the V6 powertrain, heated front seats, and the JBL premium stereo. With some of the upgrades, the XLE treads onto Avalon territory; indeed, a near-luxury sedan buyer would do well to seriously consider a well-appointed 2007 Camry XLE. All Camrys come with Toyota’s basic limited warranty coverage of three years or 36,000 miles comprehensive, five years or 60,000 miles powertrain, and five years and unlimited mileage corrosion protection.
Nuts and Bolts Nuts and Bolts
The 2007 model years brings with it a more powerful Camry, with an improved transmission, plus refinement for the road thanks to a revised independent front and rear suspension.
Toyota reportedly began work on the 2007 Camry back in 2002, the year the current best-seller debuted, and its diligent approach to improving this car shows strongly in the results. The 2007 Toyota Camry is larger, more powerful, better performing, and safer than the outgoing model. Once dubbed a plain sedan perfect for families, this new Camry offers a series of gradual improvements designed to recast its image as a vehicle perfect for all walks of life. Aside from the obvious design and interior changes, a significant amount of work went on behind the scenes, and the result is a car that gives its driver more of the road, and more car with which to handle the road ahead.
There are now three engine and transmission choices with the Camry, four if you count the partial-zero emissions (PZEV) engine sold in so-called green states such as California, and five if you count the Hybrid Synergy Drive gasoline/electric drivetrain. Engine choices start with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder power plant that makes 158 horsepower (PZEV models do 155) at 6,000 rpm, and generates 161 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm (PZEV versions produce 158). While Toyota claims that the four-cylinder is improved, you won’t be able to tell from the performance numbers, or the EPA: it’s a paltry eight horsepower stronger than the 2006 Camry, and fuel economy is virtually unchanged, coming in at 24 city/34 highway. The bigger news comes with Toyota’s marvelous 3.5-liter V6 engine, making 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and kicking up a cloud of torque that measures 248 lb.-ft. at 4,700 rpm. This is an astonishing 78 horsepower better than the outgoing 190-horsepower V6 engine, and fuel efficiency is slightly better, up to 22 city/33 highway miles per gallon. The four-cylinder is matched to your choice between a five-speed automatic and a five-speed manual, while the V6 gets a new six-speed automatic transmission.
While the steering remains a power-assisted rack-and-pinion setup, Toyota engineers have tinkered with the existing front MacPherson and rear dual-link independent suspension by lengthening the lower control arms and retuning the shocks, springs, and anti-roll bars in order to make the Camry more responsive to the road and to driver input. The sport-tuned SE model received a more extensive retooling. In addition to a body kit that lowers the car, engineers added extra bracing and a covered underbody for better aerodynamics. Connect this revised suspension to a wheelbase that’s two inches longer, keep the vehicle’s dimensions the same, add larger wheels (16-inchers are standard on CE, LE and XLE; 17-inch alloys come on SE models), and what you’ve got is an improved performance pedigree for a car not known for performance. Stopping all that newfound performance are four-wheel disc brakes, measuring 11.65 inches up front and 11.06 inches in back, and a slew of electronic safety systems, including antilock braking (ABS), Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).
Design Design
Significant changes are made to the 2007 Toyota Camry’s interior, including larger graphics, easier-to-read gauges, more room, and a new seat fabric that Toyota claims contains a natural moisturizing component.
Toyota reps will tell you that the 2007 Camry’s sheetmetal makes it one of the sexiest sedans on the road, one that will elicit
ooohs and
aahhs from just about anyone who casts an eye upon it.
They lie – kinda. It is better-looking, though just how much is a hotly debated issue among automotive journalists. Some say that it’s just a little less boring than the old version, others say it’s a nice restyle that sheds the Camry’s blah reputation. Here’s the lowdown: decide for yourself. Don’t let some jaded, narcissistic scribe tell you what looks good. Go to a dealership and decide for yourself. If you do that, you’re sure to notice a sharper snout, a bigger Toyota emblem on the grille, a tall beltline and a back end that looks as if BMW’s Chris Bangle has been moonlighting. You’ll also notice enlarged taillights that angle sharply down. Somehow, it works enough to give the Camry has a more sporting, aggressive look – enough to pull it out of the
Little House on the Prairie doldrums, and give it a little
I Love Lucy spice.
Not much of that newfound spice comes through on the inside. Instead, the Camry’s interior is all about function and space, usefulness in the day-to-day. Significant changes made to the interior include larger graphics, easier-to-read gauges, more room, and a new seat fabric that Toyota claims contains a natural moisturizing process named Fraichir, where the fabric is coated with a naturally occurring component called Sericin – reportedly extracted from silkworm cocoons – thus the moisturizing component.
Throughout the cabin, design is intelligently done – without the aid of a moisturizer – from the cupholders in the center console to the large junk bin located on the front console. Control layout is superb, with audio and environmental buttons within easy reach. For the Camry Hybrid, and the XLE trim, those environmental controls are the key to a new and advanced system called Plasmacluster. That’s not a superhero, but an ionizing filter that supposedly eliminates airborne bacteria and germs.
Don’t be surprised when it works.
Such execution makes sense, after all, as the Camry made its name as a thoughtfully-designed car. The 2007 model follows up with the same attention to detail, and adds a more comfortable environment, front to back. It’s a strange thing: the tale of the tape says that the Camry is actually mid-pack when it comes to headroom, legroom and other common measurements. Sitting in the car, however, it feels larger and more comfortable. This may have to do with a dash that was moved away from front seat occupants, and an expanded front seat track. Perhaps Toyota has built more usable space inside the Camry, a benefit not necessarily recorded with a tape measure. For example, passenger volume compared to the 2006 model stays virtually the same, 101.8 cu. ft. t o 101.4 cu. ft., which is smaller than the 2006 Honda Accord by about an inch.
Excellent fit and finish inside the cabin also adds to that feeling of comfort, and the Camry has that in spades – though materials could be improved in some cases. The fake wood grain, for one – please stop selling that. The brushed aluminum trim is much more appealing. The fuzzy headliner also needs to go, and the hard plastic backing on the front seats – while clearly designed to be durable – looks and feels unattractive. The back seat offers occupants plenty of legroom, and convenient cupholders are located in the fold-down center armrest. For most trims, the Camry offers the typical 60/40 split back seats, though the XLE offers a new reclining seat feature that’s easy to use and quite comfortable. That changes the configuration to 20/40/20, with a fixed pass-through.
Safety and Technology Safety and Technology
Optional safety equipment includes electronic Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), which controls engine output and brake pressure on the wheels, helping to control the car during a loss of traction, and Traction Control (TRAC).With side-impact, side-curtain and driver’s knee airbags standard, safety is a key element of the 2007 Toyota Camry’s value, especially when you combine it with other standard features, such as anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), all of which help drivers keep control of the vehicle during emergency situations. These safety systems make the Camry a car that is easier to control during adverse situations, and a car that will likely protect its occupants better if a collision occurs. In addition to the bevy of standard safety features, the 2007 Camry also offers larger wheels and extra side-impact bracing. Optional safety equipment includes electronic Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC).
Outside of safety, two of the more impressive technological advancements offered in the 2007 Camry deal with interior comfort. The first, available on the XLE and Hybrid trims, is a new Plasmacluster ionizing filter that Toyota claims will eliminate airborne bacteria and germs in side the cabin, making your drive healthier and refreshing. The system reduces airborne mold spores, microbes, fungi, odors, germs and bacteria inside the passenger cabin by artificially creating positive and negative ions that seek out and surround harmful airborne substances. The second is moisturizing component to the seat fabric, available on the XLE four-cylinder model. The process is named Fraichir, where the fabric is coated with a naturally occurring component called Sericin – reportedly extracted from silkworm cocoons – thus the moisturizing component.
Driving Impressions Driving Impressions
Built with enthusiastic drivers in mind, the 2007 Toyota Camry SE makes the most of its stiffened suspension, larger 17-inch wheels, and underbody aerodynamics, adding a healthy dollup of performance to the Camry’s character.With a longer wheelbase, larger wheels and a new V6 engine that makes 78 more horsepower than the outgoing six-cylinder powerplant, it’s hardly a surprise that the 2007 Toyota Camry offers a significantly better driving experience. Add to that a retuned suspension and a new six-speed automatic transmission, and the Camry sheds its reputation as a soft-riding, numb-driving conveyance.
Just don’t choose the four-cylinder.
This engine feels outmatched for the weight of the car, whining a bit too much and protesting hard acceleration – all in all losing significant refinement. For our money, the four-cylinder Honda Accord is a better driving car, and the new Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata respond at least as well. These engines offer virtually the same horsepower, torque and fuel economy ratings as the Camry.
The V6 Camry has no such problem. With power and torque to spare, this powertrain is the class of the segment, offering smooth performance in city driving, peppy acceleration, and well-timed gear changes from the six-speed transmission. Braking, on the other hand, is a little sloppy, especially on Hybrid models with the VDIM safety system.
The difference in the driving experience lies in the trim you select. The Camry LE drives like the commuter sedan it is, though with more feedback, sharper steering and less body roll than the previous model. The LE does suffer from some excess road and wind noise, however. So while the driving experience is certainly improved, it is still a classic point-to-point sedan, offering an inoffensive ride, a nice interior on wheels that handle better, and a suspension that will keep you awake, if not shake you by the shoulders.
What does come close to a good shake, however, is the SE model. Built with enthusiastic drivers in mind, the Camry SE makes the most of its stiffened suspension, larger 17-inch wheels and underbody aerodynamics, adding a healthy dollup of performance to the Camry’s character. Sure, calling it a sport model may be a bit of a stretch compared to real sport models on the road, but for a Camry, the SE is a stiff ride that mostly sticks to corners and makes the most of the superb V6 powertrain. The new six-speed transmission’s shifts are precise, and using the sequential shift mode helps to keep things interesting as you cycle through the gears. The SE model simply gets the most out of what is sure to be a cornerstone powertrain for just about all mainstream Toyotas. Where the SE puts sport into the Camry, the XLE provides a taste of Lexus, with a softer ride, more body lean and a quiet cabin. This is the trim for those who want to coast down the road, listening to a quality sound system (the Camry’s optional JBL audio is quite fine), and not be bothered about such mundane details as the driving experience.
FAQ FAQ
The 2007 Toyota Camry is a much improved sedan that should please most sedan buyers, though the four-cylinder engine could provide some more power. There’s also a hybrid version that offers a combined 37 mpg.
Is the 2007 Toyota Camry better than the outgoing model? You bet. The suspension has been tuned for more road feel, the car is handsomely restyled, and the interior feels larger and constructed of more refined materials. It is simply an excellent upgrade to one of America’s most popular cars.
What are the worst things about the 2007 Toyota Camry?
The four-cylinder engine is weaker than some in its class, feeling as though it struggles under the Camry’s weight and making the four-cylinder version not much fun to drive. The hybrid model is excellent, but will be offered as a highly-priced trim, making this fuel-efficient powertrain unavailable to those who can’t afford all the extras. Will someone please build a hybrid for the masses?
What are the best things about the 2007 Toyota Camry?
The overall package is superb. From a slew of standard safety features to increased room, performance and a restyled interior and exterior, the Camry should be a solid value.
Specifications Specifications
Key competitors for the 2007 Toyota Camry include the Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Charger, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, and Volkswagen Passat.Test Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Camry
Engine Size and Type: 2.4-liter four-cylinder/3.5-liter V6
Engine Horsepower: 158 at 6,000 rpm (2.4L)/155 at 6,000 rp, (2.4-liter PZEV)/268 at 6,200 rpm (3.5L)
Engine Torque: 161 lb.-ft. at 4,000 rpm (2.4L)/158 lb.-ft. at 4,000 rpm (2.4L PZEV)/ 248 lb.-ft. at 4,700 rpm (3.5L)
Transmission: Five-speed manual (2.4L)/Five-speed automatic (2.4L)/six-speed automatic (3.5L)
Curb Weight, lbs.: 3,440 (LE, V6 with six-speed transmission)
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 24/33 mpg (2.4L)/22/31 mpg (3.5L)
Length: 189.2 inches
Width: 71.7 inches
Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
Height: 57.5 inches
Legroom (front/rear): 41.6/38.3
Headroom (front/rear): 38.8/37.8
Max. Seating Capacity: Five
Max. Cargo Volume: 15.0 cu.-ft.
Competitors: Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Charger, Ford Five Hundred, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Mercury Milan, Mercury Montego, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, Nissan Maxima, Pontiac G6, Pontiac Grand Prix, Subaru Legacy, Suzuki Verona, Volkswagen Passat, Volvo S40
Photos courtesy of Toyota
