Toyota wipes the slate clean and shapes up for the future

It has been interesting watching the evolution of Toyota's mid-sized sedan, the Camry. It has been a car that more often than not delivered on a lot of fronts but we've never been hard core fans of its design.

While we could always tick off performance and specification coupled with a generally pleasant interior, the silhouette has always had an obsolescence about it; the shape has looked a bit dated even though it represented a new model.

Now we can say Toyota has got that shortcoming well and truly off the shelf because with the eighth generation Camry it has cleaned the slate and delivered a car that looks as it should always have been – smart, stylish and up to the minute.

The new Camry has a definite raw edginess to it. The bodywork has been chiseled with a much sharper silhouette in mind. The result is something very eye-catching.

The V6 we've been driving is the range-topping model in the Camry crew. It not only looks great, it's responsive to the throttle, and handles very well.

The $47,990 V6 gets a few add-ons that set it apart from the flock, such as the sports kit which sees a small spoiler as part of the bootlid. The suspension has been tweaked, it gets personalised dark alloys to handle the 235/40 rubber. The same spots theme continues inside the Camry too, with seats specific to this model.

The V6 that provides the power comes with more grunt and its connection to an eight-speed auto transmission adds to the driving pleasure this car brings.

And here's the thing. At a time when our roads are awash with SUVs of all sorts and sizes, the sedan such as this Camry has been well and truly overshadowed in terms of buyer preference.

But you have to ask why? The Camry has undergone some significant upgrades (think the extra power, up by 24kW) and is one of the best looking Camrys produced.

Its comfort levels are at the high end, it performs admirably, has space to burn inside and a cargo area that wills satisfy most.

We know some drivers have every justification for opting for an SUV or ute; when practicality and functionality are prerequisites. But it's still hard to fathom why the market is leaving sedans in their dust when they have so much to offer.

And we know there are plenty of motorists who've hopped into a big, double cab ute or similar sized SUV because they've been influenced by any number of sources. Good marketing is one; peer pressure is also in the mix.

But in the case of the new Camry, drivers are missing out. The car's bigger than before and changes to the suspension have certainly brought significant improvement in how the car behaves itself.

Inside the Camry V6 really shows how much change has been brought to the model, Leather is an option and other areas of the cabin feature highlights like the textured metal finishes.

The 8-inch touch screen in the eighth generation Camry carries a new multi-media system. Driver aids beyond that include reversing camera, front and rear park sensors, auto high beam, adaptive cruise control, dual zone climate air, powered driver's seat and sat-nav.

This newcomer is a looker, of that there is no doubt. But the good thing it has plenty of other credentials which back this up and deliver an excellent motoring package.

Techno stuff …
Toyota Camry V6
Price: $47,990
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Power: 224kW at 6600rpm, 362Nm at 4700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto with paddle shifts
Suspension: MacPherson strut (front), double wishbone (rear)
Brakes: Discs (front vented)
Safety: ABS, EBD, BA, VSC,
TC Size: 4905mm long, 1840mm wide, 1445mm tall,
Wheels: 19-in alloys, 235/40 tyres
Fuel: 60 litres premium petrol

She says …
The new gen Camry not only looks good, it's comfortable rides and handles well, and, in the case of the V6 at least, has plenty to give.

There's plenty of room in the cabin both up front and for those in the back seat. The interior is sleek and attractive and the car boasts plenty of safety features.

It's an impressive sedan.
By Nanette Maslin