Its price is still on the higher side, but the stylish new Camry is packed to the brim.
‘The Camry always had great rear seat comfort. The new one’s is even better.‘

After months of speculation, Toyota’s new Camry is finally here. That too, within just a few months of its international launch. However, like the outgoing model, the high duty on CBUs has put the Camry in a bracket higher than what Toyota would have liked. Besides, the recently announced duty hike has made the car dearer by Rs 2.5 lakh. However, instead of crying foul, Toyota has changed its gameplan. The new generation Camry comes with an assortment of goodies to compliment the new styling.
Toyota has moved away from the insipid, conservative styling and gone sharper and more European. Chrome trimming has been visibly reduced; the front is fashioned after Toyota’s Lexus cars; and the edgy, down-pointing HID (high intensity discharge) headlamps borrow heavily from recent Lexus prototypes like the LF series. Our only grouse with the otherwise pleasing front is the comet-tailed bump on the nose. The bulge on the grille and bonnet looks out of place on an otherwise good-looking Toyota. The overall length of the car remains unchanged, but the wheel base has been increased by 56mm. The overhangs have been also been chopped off ridding the car of that obese shape. A welcome change from the earlier whale-on-wheels look.
A distinctive shoulder line continues from the S-class style front fender cut, and a 7-series-like raised boot lid affords the rear an upmarket feel. While the car does look pleasant from this angle, it reminds you a bit too much of

the Honda Accord. Not that Honda would mind.
The interiors, however, are by far the biggest gainers of the generation jump. Shifting the windscreen forward has enhanced the cabin’s airi-ness. And while the previous Camry was well-built, this one is just superb. The plastic quality is top notch and the knobs feel good to use.
The Camry has always been unbeatable when it came to rear seat comfort, and the new model further improves on it. Supple and soft leather keeps you comfy; the front seats have eight-way electronic adjustments and sporty side bolstering; and the dash layout is neat too, with smartly placed controls.
The integrated six-CD MP3 player and twin climate controls get white backlit LCD screens and semi-translucent blue surrounds — very iPod like. Another useful feature is the steering wheel-mounted audio and climate control buttons. You also get a multi-information display and Lexus-like optitron gauge cluster; and plenty of cubby holes on the centre console with soft touch lids. The automatic gear knob, though, seems a bit out of place. It’s a rather thin stick with a disproportionately large knob. Another gripe we have is that the cheaper manual version, most likely to see chauffeur duty, lacks rear air-con vents. Toyota also seems to have lifted the panel holding the headlight level switch from cheaper stable mates. They stick out in the otherwise special cabin.
A revised version of the old 2.4-litre VVT-i engine makes a comeback under the hood. It now puts out 167bhp (23bhp more) and powers the front axle through a 5-speed manual or automatic ‘box. The speculated 3.5-litre V6 will not be here, however. The suspension too, remains largely the same.
In lieu of 15-inchers, the new Camry adorns 16-inch wheels, making room for larger brakes. Complementing them is ABS, EBD and VSC (vehicle stability control), with VSC only on the automatic to keep costs down. Safety is enhanced by multiple airbags and anti-whiplash headrests.
The car’s effortless to drive and braking is reassuring thanks to the bigger discs and electronic aids. The increase in wheel size has, however, led to less than satisfactory ride over uneven roads.
Toyota expects to sell about 1000 Camrys annually, but at Rs 19.83 lakh for the manual and Rs 21.45 lakh for the automatic (both ex-showroom Delhi), it’s a steep increase over the outgoing one. Their main clients will be upmarket hotels who find the Camry ideal under the EPCG scheme.
The new Toyota may not be a threat to the older, but substantially cheaper Honda Accord. It could, however, be one for the Skoda Superb. Watch this space.

FACTFILE
Toyota Camry MT/AT

Price Rs 19.84/21.46 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)
Top speed NA
Power 167bhp at 6000rpm
Torque 22.8kgm at 4000rpm

Length 4815mm
Width 1820mm
Height 1480mm
W’base 2775mm
Weight 1985kg
Fuel tank 70 litres

Engine 4 cyls inline, 2362cc
Installation Front, transverse, FWD
Compression ratio 9:8:1
Specific output 70.7bhp/litre
Bore/stroke 88.5/96mm
Gearbox type 5-speed manual/5-speed automatic

Front suspension Independent MacPherson strut with stabiliser bar
Rear suspension Independent dual link with stabiliser bar
Front brakes Ventilated discs
Rear brakes Solid discs
Wheel 6.5 x 16
Tyre 215/60 R16

First Verdict
Better looking and better built, but even more expensive.