Camry continues its low key approach to success. For six of the past seven years, the mid-size Toyota Camry has been the third-best-selling car in the United States, jockeying for position most of the time with the Ford Taurus and Honda Accord. Toyota aims to move up the ladder even further in 1997 with its redesigned, forth-generation Camry. If January sales are any indication, Camry's in good shape. Toyota dealers sold 36,994 Camrys that month, outselling both Taurus and Accord. Last month, Camry chalked up 23,983 unit sales. Camry represents 40 percent of Toyota's U.S. car sales. Camry first appeared in the United States back in 1983 as a much smaller, compact offering replacing the aging Corona. When Toyota debuted the upsized, third-generation Camry in the early 1990s, it became a measuring stick for the midsize segment. When idling, the engine hum was barely audible; its suspension smoothed over bumps and pot holes and its interior was hauntingly quiet. It quickly gained a reputation as a solid, reliable means of family transportation. For the 1997 model year, Toyota responded to consumer feedback regarding escalating new-car costs by actually reducing Camry prices as much as $900 while offering more features and new exterior nuances. Toyota accomplished this in part by working with suppliers to trim costs on mundane, yet vital items such as fasteners. Offered only as a four-door model (no more coupes or station wagons), the front-wheel drive 1997 Camry is available in three trim levels: entry-level CE, mid-level LE and top of the line XLE. Shoppers also get to select between a 133 horsepower (eight more than last year), 2.2-liter multi-point four-cylinder engine, or the 194 horsepower (six more than last year), 3.0-liter, multi-point six-cylinder powertrain. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) are now standard on all models except the four-cylinder CE, where it's an option. Last year, ABS was standard only in the XLE edition. Traction control is optional in LE and XLE trim levels, but not available in CE editions. Air conditioning is standard in LE and XLE and optional in CE. The car's wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) increases by 2.1 inches to 105.2 inches. Our four-cylinder LE test drive sedan had a suggested retail price of $19,868. This base price included power windows and locks, cruise control, rear window defroster, cloth seats and tilt steering wheel. With options including intermittent windshield wiper, center arm rest and floor mats, the price inched up to $20,450, including a $420 destination charge. An entry-level CE with automatic transmission currently starts at $17,398 while the XLE with automatic starts at $24,018. Toyota announced this week it's raising prices on certain cars an average of 0.3 percent starting April 10. This translates to a $60 average increase for Camry. Toyota is also offering attractive lease programs for its Camry. Inside, tall drivers will appreciate vast amounts of headroom. Updated interior enhancements include repositioning the stereo above temperature controls, and adding sliding extensions to sun visors. In-line cupholders with flip tops situate between front bucket seats. Camry also ads a ceiling storage compartment for sun glasses or garage door openers. Another interior improvement; the glove box is 30 percent larger. Back seat riders also benefit from generous headroom and the back seat's 60/40 split allows easy transportation of long or wide items. Camry's exterior cues represent a different direction than Ford took a couple of years ago with its redesigned Taurus and Mercury Sable sedans. Ford chose to radically alter exterior styling of its popular sedans. Toyota didn't tinker with success and kept its exterior conservative, some say even bland. Although Taurus remained the best-selling car in the 1996 calendar year, Camry poses a real threat Ford's bragging rights. Camry now has a great pole position, and could cross the finish line as the top-selling car in 1997. Mileage estimates for our four-cylinder engine check in at 23 miles per gallon city and 30 mpg highway. The tank holds 18.5 gallons of unleaded fuel. Approximately 80 percent of Camrys are built in Georgetown Kentucky with the remaining 20 percent assembled in Japan. The Georgetown plant churned out 306,987 Camrys in 1996. |