Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2012 Toyota Camry XLE; Day 1

[Autos_Editor]

This week's Toyota Camry four-cylinder test car had James fooled into thinking he was driving a six-cylinder model -- a promising start to the week.
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[airbalancer]

sound like a car that will carry 5 people with room to spare, easy to get in and out of and go down the hiway comfortable

[Jaeger]

Everything I've read about the new Camry suggests they've done a very nice job upgrading where needed. No doubt the sales success train will keep right on rolling.

Jaeger

[Mike]

Everything I've read about the new Camry suggests they've done a very nice job upgrading where needed. No doubt the sales success train will keep right on rolling.

Jaeger

Agreed.  I really want to drive one soon.  The last Camry I drove was a highway champion....drove it for 5 hours straight, got great gas mileage and was not tired at the end.

[bombastic]

Not a bad car, however the competition is at par or better in many compartments.

[nsmyhte]

I think its a nice update but the Camry is in tough with the new Fusion and Malibu coming out.

[Blueprint]

At 30k$, sounds like a bargain Lexus.  Wishing the SE still offered the stick 

[whaddaiknow]

Not a bad car, however the competition is at par or better in many compartments.

Quite possible but I don't think "safe bet" buyers will be swayed. Toyota is building on previous success using a winning formula, while Ford and GM are still "re-inventing" (regrouping, repositioning, or whatever word is more appropriate) themselves. Besides, Ford has introduced a slew of new (to them in NA) technologies (turbo engines, electronic gizmos) with no established reliability record. Appliance buyers will hardly give that a second look.
Enthusiasts are the opposite, but even among them there are those who would be willing to give this new Camry a second (or first) look. So, I'd say Camry is safe.

[articsteve]

It all comes down to SPIFFS people.

In USA, Toyota is gonna buy the number one spot if they have to.

[CanuckG35]

Not a bad car, however the competition is at par or better in many compartments.

Quite possible but I don't think "safe bet" buyers will be swayed. Toyota is building on previous success using a winning formula, while Ford and GM are still "re-inventing" (regrouping, repositioning, or whatever word is more appropriate) themselves. Besides, Ford has introduced a slew of new (to them in NA) technologies (turbo engines, electronic gizmos) with no established reliability record. Appliance buyers will hardly give that a second look.
Enthusiasts are the opposite, but even among them there are those who would be willing to give this new Camry a second (or first) look. So, I'd say Camry is safe.

Agreed. 

[greengs]

Not a bad car, however the competition is at par or better in many compartments.

I think Camry right now is probably the best car in its class. Especially the V6 equipped models. Have to see what the Fusion brings to the table likewise with the Malibu. 

[dirtyjeffer]

when my parents replaced their 96 Camry back in 2009, the 2009 Camry was such a step down from what you would expect from Toyota, that they ended up with a Jetta Wagon...had the Camry then, been like the Camry now, they likely would have bought it...it is improved THAT much.

[johngenx]

I saw one on the road, and it looks nice.  Very clean and crisp.  Not avant-garde like the Sonata, but I think it will age well and looks like it appeals to the traditional Camry buyer, and there are LOTS of those buyers out there.

I've only seen the interior in pics, but it looks dramatically improved.

[Danno001]

The Camry is on my list as a potential choice as a next replacement car. It would be interesting if the reviewer could comment on any unusual wind noise from the driver door area. There have been complaints on this from buyers. With all the attention to aero lately, sometimes trying to solve for lower drag causes other issues.

[Winterpeg]

I saw one on the road, and it looks nice.  Very clean and crisp.  Not avant-garde like the Sonata, but I think it will age well and looks like it appeals to the traditional Camry buyer, and there are LOTS of those buyers out there.

I've only seen the interior in pics, but it looks dramatically improved.

I saw a Camry SE at my local dealership...pretty decent looking with the optional wheels and chrome(less) front grill.   

[Mike]

It all comes down to SPIFFS people.

In USA, Toyota is gonna buy the number one spot if they have to.

They almost did it in January, came 2nd

[JRM]

when my parents replaced their 96 Camry back in 2009, the 2009 Camry was such a step down from what you would expect from Toyota, that they ended up with a Jetta Wagon...had the Camry then, been like the Camry now, they likely would have bought it...it is improved THAT much.

I've had one of each generation of Camrys since they came out in 1983.  I also found that the 5th generation  fell a long way off in quality and workmanship.  I could hardly wait to get rid of it (tired of taking it to the shop) and also ended up trading for a Jetta wagon.  No regrets whatsoever!  The 6th gen doesn't differentiate itself from the 5th to get me back.  Once bitten, twice shy.

[articsteve]

I've had one of each generation of Camrys since they came out in 1983.  I also found that the 5th generation  fell a long way off in quality and workmanship.  I could hardly wait to get rid of it (tired of taking it to the shop) and also ended up trading for a Jetta wagon.  No regrets whatsoever!  The 6th gen doesn't differentiate itself from the 5th to get me back.  Once bitten, twice shy.

We know.  That 08 Camry 2.4 with the only 6 speed automatic in the world was crap.  I don't blame you. 

[articsteve]

It all comes down to SPIFFS people.

In USA, Toyota is gonna buy the number one spot if they have to.

They almost did it in January, came 2nd

I was kind of referring to passenger vehicles only.

http://online.wsj.com/mdc/public/page/2_3022-autosales.html

[airbalancer]

I've had one of each generation of Camrys since they came out in 1983.  I also found that the 5th generation  fell a long way off in quality and workmanship.  I could hardly wait to get rid of it (tired of taking it to the shop) and also ended up trading for a Jetta wagon.  No regrets whatsoever!  The 6th gen doesn't differentiate itself from the 5th to get me back.  Once bitten, twice shy.

We know.  That 08 Camry 2.4 with the only 6 speed automatic in the world was crap.  I don't blame you. 

Does the 08 2.4 have 6 speed?
AS wrote this before "2008 Camry 2.4 had 5 speed auto ONLY regardless of trim.  3.5 had the 6 speed.  Wait a few months and try again."

I am confused  again