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Gone are the days of the Camry being a dullard to look at or drive. Photo Gallery
Stuart Martin road tests and reviews the Toyota Camry Atara SX.
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Maybe it's time to leave the cardigan in the wardrobe and whack on sunscreen instead of a hat - the new Camry is here.
While it's not going to have the young hordes screaming into Toyota dealerships to sign up en masse, there's more to like and less to elicit adjectives like boring, banal or beige. The Atara SX replaces the Sportivo and that's what we're in this week - the second-to-top model of the revitalised Camry range.
VALUE
Toyota says the Atara SX wears a $2000 higher pricetag than the outgoing equivalent Sportivo model but has more than enough gear to offset the rise.
Aimed at private buyers and user-chooser lease buyers, the $35,990 six-speed auto-only sports model gets a model-specific rear bumper and lip spoiler, as well as sports pedals, sports-tuned suspension, black-tinted headlamps, trip computer, power-adjustable driver's seat, sport-oriented leather-trimmed interior and a sports steering wheel has audio, phone and cruise controls.
The SX features list also has a touchscreen-controlled six-speaker infotainment system, with Bluetooth, USB and 3.5mm inputs and while there's no standard satnav, the screen also displays the image from the reversing camera but there are no parking sensors.
TECHNOLOGY
Top of the list of technological changes is the engine, which has grown to 2.5 litres and is now running variable valve timing on both sides - it was previously only on the intake valves. The engine offers 135kW and 235Nm in the Atara (up 2kW and 4Nm over the Altise thanks to the Atara SX's dual exhaust, says Toyota) and runs on 91RON ULP, but doesn't get direct fuel injection.
Teamed with a six-speed auto, the fuel use claim is 7.8 litres per 100km - better by one litre than the 40kg heavier superseded model despite the extra 18kW and 17Nm.
DESIGN
The new Camry hasn't grown in overall length or wheelbase but is 10mm lower in overall height and 5mm wider - despite that, Toyota is claiming an increase in interior space.
There's a more angular snout design, which is reminiscent of the Accord Euro, with a squarer rump, but it's not a classically pretty or handsome car, but it's not bland either. The Atara SX has been given a sportier appearance with a new bumper, side skirts and a dual exhaust system.
Toyota says the A-pillar is almost 10mm thinner to improve the driver's range of vision. The cabin is far less dull and claims by Toyota that there's more space, particularly for rear passengers, appears to have merit - despite a slight lowering of overall height, rear head and leg room are enough for me to easily and comfortably sit behind my own driving position.
Boot space - even with a full size alloy-wheel spare - is 515 litres, more than a Falcon or Commodore, with a bootlid that goes well past the vertical for easier loading.
SAFETY
A five-star crash test rating is worn by the new Camry, which gets seven airbags (dual front, side and full-length curtain and a driver's knee bag), as well as stability and control systems that can no longer be switched off by the driver. The safety list also includes anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, height-adjustable front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.
DRIVING
Gone are the days of the Camry being a dullard to look at or drive. Granted, it's no fireball either. What it is is an inoffensive, roomy, capable family sedan that is value for money. The new look instruments (set within a plush new dashboard) are easy to read and there's no shortage of information on offer to the driver (some of it even useful) from the trip computer beneath the speedometer or within the touchscreen infotainment monitor.
The touchscreen (which can suffer a little from sun-glare) makes controlling the sound system and Bluetooth phone easy, but I'd have though satnav could have been standard. The seats are well-cushioned but need more lateral support, but there's no shortage of head or legroom, particularly in the rear, which is not always something that can be said in this segment.
The cabin is quiet - except when the squealy tyres are complaining - and the boot is more than useful, despite the welcome full-size proper spare tyre. The driver has good vision and the external rearvision mirrors are an appropriate size (Holden and Ford, take note) and the driver gets automatic headlights but not rain-sensing wipers.
Ride quality is well towards the firm side and can get a little jittery on smaller bumps and ruts - when engaged in more enthusiastic driving the bigger bumps are generally dealt with well. The sports model has reasonable body control and corners with cardigan-less enthusiasm, although the Bridgestone rubber was noisier than is ideal.
One for the parents is the seatbelt use indicator for the back three seating positions - it's not unique to Toyota but it should be on any vehicle with more than two seats. The engine has got more punch than the outgoing car and carries a little less weight - it's not going to set hearts a flutter with its soundtrack but it tries hard and works reasonably well with six-speed automatic.
VERDICT
Toyota's new Camry has been given more mainstream appeal with less inert looks - the same can be said for the drive experience - that will make the choices even tougher for those shopping in the medium segment. The criticisms are few for the sports-tuned Camry - it's roomier, quieter, has a smooth driveline and is capable and comfortable - but it still lacks the charisma that endears some of its opposition to the families they cart.
RATING
TOYOTA CAMRY ATARA SX
Price: from $35,990
Warranty: 3 years, 100,000km
Resale: 42% (Source: Glass's Guide)
Service interval: 15,000km or 9-months
Economy: 7.8 l/100km, on test 10.9; tank 70 litres, 91RON, 183g/km CO2
Safety equipment: seven airbags, ABS, EBD, stability and traction control
Crash rating: 5 star
Engine: 135kW/235Nm 2.5-litre 16-valve DOHC all-alloy four-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed auto, front-wheel drive Body 4-door, 5 seats
Dimensions: 4815mm (L); 1825mm (W); 1470mm (H); 2775mm (WB)
Weight: 1495kg
Tyres: size 215/55R17, full-size alloy spare.
OTHERS TO CONSIDER
Subaru Liberty 2.5i AWD Sedan
Price: from $34,990
Engine: 2.5-litre, flat 4-cyl petrol, 123kW/229Nm
Transmission: CVT, all-wheel drive
Body: 4-door sedan
Thirst: 8.3L/100km, 91RON, CO2 193g/km
"A capable all-wheel drive flat-four-powered sedan that might lose out with the off-beat CVT in lieu of a traditional auto"
Honda Accord Euro
Price: from $32,640
Engine: 2.4-litre, in-line 4-cyl petrol, 148kW/230Nm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Body: 4-door sedan
Thirst: 8.9l/100km, 95RON, CO2 207g/km
"Well-equipped, peppy and dynamically first-rate, the Accord Euro is the segment benchmark for dynamics"
Mazda6 Touring Hatch
Price: from $34,450
Engine: 2.5-litre, in-line 4-cyl petrol, 125kW/226Nm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Body: 4-door sedan
Thirst: 8.7l/100km, 91RON, CO2 206g/km
"Still a worthy adversary for the Camry and the Euro, the 6 is due for new styling and the signs for that are good"
