Toyota Camry Azura 2004 Review

"Proceed to the highlighted path and the route guidance will start," says a very proper, English voice. All righty then, ready. Don't you just love GPS navigation?

I do. Now, it's not that I don't know how to find my way home, but there's something novel about a computer that tells you where to go.

I'm in the Toyota V6 Azura, the top-of-the-line sports model Camry. I know, it doesn't look like your average Camry.

The sports suspension and aero body kit with its length, cool spoiler, radiator grilles, 16in alloys, new bumper and fog lamps make this sharper, sexier, sportier . . .

When those six-cylinders kick in, you know about it, and the Quad Cam multi-valve three-litre engine takes off with gusto.

This four-speed automatic is a smooth operator. There's none of those annoying surges as it powers up the gears.

Being a sports model, the suspension is quite firm, but don't worry. It doesn't affect the comfort factor one bit.

And comfort has to be the Azura's forte. The power-operated driver's seat has three lumbar controls to ensure your lower back is well supported.

The seats are covered in luxurious alcantara (like brushed suede) and stitched leather in a light tan colour. This is understated class at its best. That elegance flows through to the uncluttered dash with its gadgets compactly situated around the GPS screen.

The CD unit is cleverly tucked behind the screen and this car doesn't just have one six-stacker CD/MP3 player, but another eight-stacker in the boot. You've gotta love that.

On the safety side, it's got the lot. Driver, passenger and side curtain airbags, safe-T-Cell, ABS brakes, engine immobiliser, panic alarm, remote central locking, child locks, doors that chirp when they aren't shut properly.

Safety comes in other avenues, too. At night, the ignition is illuminated, interior lights don't go off until the car is locked, audio controls are on the steering wheel and even the GPS darkens so you are not distracted by its glare.

But the Azura's best feature has to be the new Toyota Link system. This intelligent electronic communication system connects the driver to an external operator who can alert police or ambulance to your location in times of crisis, such as an accident or when your security is at risk, like a carjacking.

Touching an SOS button/mayday alert on the rear-vision mirror connects you, but if the car is in an accident and the airbags deploy, the alarm is automatically activated.

It even offers roadside help, so if you lock your keys inside the car, they can remotely unlock your doors.

So don't think this is just a Camry. It's far more than that.

LOVE IT LEAVE IT
Toyota Camry V6 Azura
Price: $49,100 (auto)

LOVE IT
The rear-vision mirror adjusts to "night vision" so there are no headlights blinding you.

LEAVE IT
I couldn't work out how to preset another radio station.

Be gentle closing the boot, otherwise you'll slam it without meaning to.