Review: 2012 Toyota Camry XLE V6
We sample the fancy-pants version of Toyota's redesigned bread-and-butter Camry. Melba toast or whole wheat?
Times were, that the Camry was the darling of the automotive world for good, reliable transportation in a conservatively wrapped package. As more and more back-marker automakers progressed toward tier one status, Toyota started to see market share erode. And then the economy tanked.
After a long, hard look at what ails them, the Toyota brand is in the midst of a redo, making over everything from their Lexus offerings to sportifying the Scion line. With the 2012 Toyota Camry XLE V6, they seem to have closed the circle in that product lineup with nearly something for everyone.
But is it for you? Hop in with Leftlane as we check out this new legacy model in Toyot's lineup
What is it?
Carrying the legacy of anything can be a heavy load. But that's what the Camry has done since its introduction back in 1983. Now in its seventh generation, it's a five-passenger, midsized sedan. Its base offering is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It can also be had in hybrid form, but for our week in the Camry, we were running 3.5-liter V6 power. In this horsepower-enhanced form, the EPA estimates mileage ratings of 21 city/30 highway, which Toyota claims is the best for any current V6 midsize car (and about par with four-cylinders just a few years ago). Other breakthroughs include a six-speed automatic transmission with a sequential shift mode (the SE model can be had with paddle shifters).
Looks have also improved, lending a new sense of contemporaneous style to this Toyota volume leader. Inside, a revised design increases interior room, or at least gives you the perception it has. Electronically, the Camry has received improvements in Bluetooth wireless connections and connectivity features with all the latest smart phones and other handheld devices. Our tester included the Premium HDD navigation system with Entune, and Safety Connect, which is to Toyota what OnStar is to GM.
What's it up against?
The Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Volkswagen Passat, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima all currently occupy the playing field that the Camry exercises itself in.
Joining these others in the near future will be the new Chevrolet Malibu, and by year's end, the 2013 Ford Fusion. That's a tough crowd if you ask us.
How does it look?
Even though the 2011 model was as crisp as crisp could be, the sheet metal was beginning to look a bit dowdy. What a difference a crease or two can make. Character lines that run the length of the sides have managed to make the new 2012 Camry appear as though it has gone in for a few nips and tucks. Gone are the formerly slab-like sides. If we were in the mood for a few ourselves, we'd ask Toyota for the name of their plastic surgeon. Also disappearing from the lineup was the rather blah-looking logo/grill piece on the car's nose. In its place we now find a chromed aerodynamic looking piece that is more aggressive in nature, and we think more stylish.
All the jewels and bling associated with a car's exterior are new and improved on the Camry. Projector beam headlamps do a great job assisting with nighttime vision. We just hope that over the long term they don't develop "cataracts" as we have seen with so many other cars and their sealed headlamp assemblies.
At the rear, new taillights are combined with a chrome bright strip between them, which really draws attention to the Camry's new look.
Although never purposefully identified as a sporty car, we think the new creases and folds, combined with improved lower rockers and front fascia, go a long way to increase the appeal of what was once considered a mainstream, bread and butter offering.
And on the inside?
The Camry's interior has been given a once-over that makes it roomier than before. By moving the gas and brake pedals forward, the seats were moved an equal distance as well. That, combined with a lowered hip point in the rear, gives more rear passenger legroom, which is a boon to backseat drivers everywhere. The combination of that and revised construction of the front seat backs has increased legroom by 1.8 inches.
The dashboard area of the 2012 Camry is totally redesigned and better executed to our eyes through the use of soft touch materials and single needle stitching, for a higher quality appearance overall. Everything is where you'd expect it, including something you might not: An eco-gauge that allows you to visually monitor your lead footed tendencies toward responsible driving. Your mileage may vary. Literally. A leather-wrapped steering wheel with redundant controls is also new. Speaking of leather, our interior was shod with a color that Toyota calls Ivory. We call it ehh, as in blah. At least there were several shades of blah on the seats (and you can opt for something more interesting than white-on-blah if your tastes run slightly more interesting).
Once connected, our Android smart phone was fully functional using voice controls. The XLE's 6.1-inch display monitor controlled the JBL GreenEdge audio system, and offered some of the better sound with its "acoustic lens" technology than we have heard in some time.
Speaking of sound, our XLE featured noise suppression techniques that help to quiet it down quite a bit from previous models. Seeing how ours was the high-zoot model of the lineup, it was a no-brainer that Toyota equipped it with acoustic front glass, as well as counteractive insulation in the roof, pillars, and door openings for frequencies that are near that of the human voice. For the most part they worked, except when negotiating coarse aggregate roadways.
But does it go?
Our Camry XLE came with a new version of the 3.5-liter V6 engine that has been seen in most of the larger Toyota and Lexus-family vehicles. A twin-cam, 24-valve engine with dual variable-valve timing with intelligence (VVT-I), it makes 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm, and 248 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm. Reliable as the Sun rising in the morning, all it lacks is direct fuel injection.
Displaying plenty of power, it never left us wondering about the DI anyway. A six-speed automatic transmission smoothly sends the power to the front transaxle. Weighing in at 3,395 lbs., the EPA says to look for a combined average of 25 miles-per-gallon. We managed a little less, hitting a best of 23.7 mpg.
The Camry's high tensile strength unibody uses revised versions of the tried-and-true MacPherson strut front and a Multilink rear, with stabilizer bars at both ends.
An electric power rack and pinion system now controls the steering. We found the steering displayed good road feel, and crisper handling characteristics, while not beating up on those who don't take their driving seriously. Still not ready to take on the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Toyoda-san's desire to see fun-to-drive cars in the lineup seems to be working, as evidenced by a Camry that actually had a touch of a sporting character to it.
Ride quality, long a Camry strong point, remains top notch here. Camry smoothly absorbed bumps with minimal drama and only a bit of the "wallowing" affect that used to affect softly-sprung sedans.
Fan boys will continue to rant, but they need patience. This car is for everyone else.
Why you would buy it:
To you, styling plays second fiddle to reliability.
Why you wouldn't:
The Sonata is singing its siren song and you are listening.
Leftlane's bottom line
What once was a no-brainer now becomes a brainteaser. There was a time where the Camry was the absolute go-to car for the masses.
Since then, competitors have toughened up. With the 2012 Camry XLE, it looks like Toyota took heed of the warning and toughened up as well.
The Blackboard:
Aesthetics: B
Technology: B+
Green: C
Drive: B
Value: B
Overall: B
2012 Toyota Camry XLE V6 Sedan base price, $29,845. As tested, $33,330.
Blind spot monitor, $500; Safety Connect, $450; Navigation, $1,550; Floor and trunk mats, $225; Destination, $750.
Words and photos by Mark Elias.
