Toyota Camry 2003 Review

Toyota has long played third fiddle in the quest for sales in Australia's large car market with the Camry never having truly been able to compete with the bigger and bigger-engined Holden and Ford six cylinder models.

Its image too has suffered with the car regularly being described as automotive whitegoods. To many, it is little more than a car designed for the US, with that country's inherent expectations of mediocrity built in, that just happens to be put together at a plant at Altona in Melbourne. It is no doubt fit for purpose and probably at the higher end of the quality and refinement scale but the Camry is hardly an aspirational vehicle.

So when it came time for an "all-new" model, Toyota Australia was at pains to promote the new Camry's spaciousness, localisation and sporting intention, going so far as to introduce a new model dubbed Sportivo to emphasise the latter.

All up there are 11 models in the lineup with a choice of two engines - a new 2.4-litre four and largely carryover 3.0-litre V6 - two transmissions, and four spec levels. For our test we chose to top and tail getting behind the wheel of the base model Altise four cylinder, which starts at $26,990 as a manual, and the top of the range Azura V6 auto which retails for $48,990.

Apart from the engines, the big differences between the two cars are in equipment levels although the Azura does also gain the Sportivo's body kit and slightly retuned suspension.

On the space front, the new Camry does indeed feel like a big car with the curved dash accentuating the broad outlook across the bonnet. In the rear, Toyota claims an increase of 98mm in legroom and it does seem like it with plenty of space for three adults in reasonable comfort across the sculpted bench. The boot too offers a cavernous space that can be expanded through the split fold seat back and there are plenty of storage cavities up front in the centre console, dash and doors.

As a base model, the Altise is reasonably equipped with standard air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, a single in-dash CD player, remote central locking and dual front airbags, although cruise control and anti-lock brakes are on the option list.

The car's new 2.4-litre four-cylinder alloy engine is a twin cam 16-valve unit with variable valve timing that generates 112kW of power and 218Nm of torque. When combined with the smooth shifting four-speed auto it provides reasonable thrust off the line but tends to run out of breath a bit at the top end of the rev band.

It is a quiet and refined powerplant that rarely intrudes on what are generally very low levels of overall noise vibration and harshness and the auto is quick to respond to firm input from the right foot.

Much of the localisation was carried out on the suspension, which was calibrated to make it suitable for Australian roads and drivers. And it is an effort that has paid off. While you still wouldn't describe the base car's handling as sporty, it certainly turns in sharply, sits flat through corners and behaves exactly as you might expect. Predictable and secure with plenty of grip at both ends.

The ride is reasonably comfortable, particularly on rougher roads with plenty of compliance and the seats are actually quite decent pews, having been locally developed. Getting in the right driving position, however, is a bit awkward as the steering lacks a reach adjustment.

Although the top-of the range Azura also lacks a reach adjustment for the steering, that is probably about it, for the car is loaded with bits to try and justify its nearly $50,000 price tag.

Electric controls abound for everything from the front seats to the standard sunroof, there is full leather trim, climate control, cruise control, dual front and front side airbags, ABS - which is standard on all V6 models - 6-stack CD sound system, a full touch screen DVD satellite navigation system and delete optional body kit.

But apart from all the fruit, the biggest difference to our base car is the addition of Camry's tried and trusted V6. It has had a bit of a tweak and now produces peak outputs of 145kW and 284Nm. On the road it doesn't actually feel that much more powerful than the four, which is a compliment to that engine, and like the smaller engine, likes to play in the middle of the rev range for the best results. It is very smooth and quiet though with very low levels of noise.

The Azura carries with it the Sportivo's suspension tune, being slightly sportier, but unless you are pushing the car hard, there isn't a great deal of noticeable difference. The ride does feel a bit firmer, but it is still comfortable enough for what amounts to local luxury.

Both cars do look a bit sharper and more stylish on the outside than the previous model and actually managed to attract a few passing glances from other drivers in traffic. But Camry is still what Camry does. And that is to provide very competent, reliable and good value transport. It might be a little more exciting to drive through the extensive work done on the suspension, but you aren't likely to see 18-35 year olds clamoring to get behind the wheel.