2006 Toyota Camry Review

The mid-size Toyota Camry is the top-selling car in America, but a 2006 model I tested reminded me of a 1980s mid-range General Motors sedan -- without Toyota's refinement.

Like an old GM Chevrolet, Oldsmobile or Buick, the Camry had imprecise steering, a soft suspension that provided a smooth ride but average handling and a mushy brake pedal.

The Camry is for dispassionate auto buyers who just want reliable, economical transportation. Driving the car seems like an alternative to taking a bus or train.

"With the Camry, Toyota may have perfected the family car,'' Toyota says.

Let's hope not. Cars such as the new Ford Fusion cost less, are just as practical and are far more fun to drive.

The 2006 Camry is virtually unchanged from the 2005 model because a redesigned Camry arrives next spring as an early 2007 model.

Despite its blandness, the Camry sedan easily outsold any car model from GM, Ford or DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler unit through November. Sales totaled 398,379 cars, up slightly from the same year-ago period. The Camry also outdid the Honda Accord -- the No. 2 seller here -- by 55,456 units in the 11 months.

My test Camry LE had Toyota's smooth 3-liter, 190-horsepower V-6. It provided lively acceleration (0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds) but doesn't quite match the Camry's top-line 3.3-liter, 210-horsepower V-6.

Anyway, the most popular Camry model is the LE with Toyota's 2.4-liter, 154-horsepower four-cylinder engine. It's decent, but provides markedly less performance than either of the two Camry V-6s.

Most order the four-cylinder with the extra-cost five-speed automatic transmission, although that engine also is available with a standard five-speed manual gearbox. (Camry V-6s come only with the automatic.)

Camry list prices range from $18,445 to $25,805, and four-cylinder Camrys are much cheaper than V-6 models.

The entry Camry Standard costs $18,445 with the manual transmission, and $19,275 with the automatic. The lowest-cost Camry V-6 is the LE, which is priced at $22,780. The LE with a four-cylinder and automatic is $20,375.

The best estimated fuel economy is provided by the four-cylinder Camry: 24 mpg in the city and 33 on highways with the manual and 24 and 34 with the responsive automatic. All engines can use regular grade gasoline.

The 190-horsepower V-6 provides 20 and 28, while figures for the 210-horsepower V-6 are 21 and 29.

At least one Camry sedan -- the SE -- is moderately sporty, although not a hot seller. It costs $24,025 with the 210-horsepower V-6 and has improved steering, a sport suspension and fairly wide 55-series tires on 17-inch alloy wheels to enhance handling. Cosmetic changes are a blackout grille, fog lamps and black badging with chrome logos. There also are a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel and amber-colored optitron gauges.

The SE also is offered with the four-cylinder hooked to the manual or automatic transmissions, but that engine seems out of place in this model, which should at least have a V-6.

The Standard and LE models have rather narrow 15-inch wheels, while the SE four-cylinder model and top-line XLE version have 16-inch wheels, besides such items as leather upholstery and a power sunroof.

As for safety, one might think Toyota would give all its family oriented Camry sedans standard front side air bags and head-protecting curtain side air bags. After all, both types of air bags are standard on the Kia compact economy car, which starts at $10,570. However, those bags are a $650 option for all Camry sedans. Also, a Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) anti-skid system is a $650 option for Camry SE and XLE models. You can get the bags and VSC in a $1,300 option package. Anti-lock brakes are standard for all models.

The Camry is offered with a wide range of option packages, although even the entry Standard model is fairly well-equipped with such items as air conditioning, AM/FM/CD player, cruise control, tilt steering wheel and power mirrors, windows and door locks.

Toyota calls the Camry sedan a six-seater, but only five tall adults fit comfortably because the middle of the rear seat is hard. Wide door openings make it easy to slip in or out of the quiet, nicely appointed interior, which has easily read gauges. Sound system controls are too high on the dashboard, especially for those with short arms, but lower climate controls are easily reached.

The interior has plenty of storage areas, including pockets in all doors and large covered bins in the dashboard and console areas. Dual cupholders are conveniently placed in the front console and folding rear center armrest.

The large trunk has a wide opening, but its lid has old-fashioned manual hinges. All models have a split/folding rear seat, but the seatbacks don't sit flat enough when flipped forward to enlarge the cargo area. And the pass-through section between the trunk and rear seat is only moderately large.

The Camry lacks emotion and is being sold in a short model year with the redesigned version on deck. But it has best-seller status, legendary quality and high resale value.

For many folks, that's apparently more than enough. 

2006 TOYOTA CAMRY 

PRICES
$18,445-$25,805

LIKES
Solid. Reliable. Strong V-6.

DISLIKES
Imprecise steering. Overly soft suspension. Mushy brake pedal.