The Camry has few tech features to recommend it. The engine is not terribly efficient, although the transmission is modern and capable. Cabin tech is hobbled by a slow iPod interface.
The Camry has been a huge success for Toyota, a reliable midsize sedan with no pretensions. Little has changed with the car over the last decade: the engine has increased in power, the transmission got an extra gear, and the car got bigger. But will its average demeanor be competitive against upstarts such as Hyundai?
In a mid-decade update, the Camry got the Toyota bump on its nose, a convenient place to tack on the badge. The SE trim model signals its sport intentions with a black-painted grille.
The Camry can be had with one of two engines, either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V-6. In SE trim, the four-cylinder puts out 179 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque, a little bit more than other trim levels.
From the side, the Camry is nondescript, a modern-looking sedan with bulky sides and a wide D pillar. It is a practical design, with easy access to front and rear seats.
The SE trim comes with what Toyota calls a sport suspension, but it falls short of track day worthiness. In fact, it feels soft and allows a lot of travel.
The Camry's steering feels nicely responsive. Toyota is still using a conventional hydraulic power-steering unit in the Camry, which draws on engine power, reducing fuel efficiency.