2006 Toyota Camry Reviews

The Camry has long struggled to gain any real traction with Australian families, most of whom dismissed it as bland and boring.

The market was in a state of transition in 2006 when Toyota released this locally produced Camry; buyers were shifting away from the traditional big sixes and seeking out more fuel-efficient models.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 1999, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2015 Toyota Camry & Aurion as a used buy.

Graham Smith reviews the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Toyota Camry as a used buy.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 1999-2014 Toyota Camry and Aurion.

It's easy to criticise the Camry, it doesn't do anything very special, but it's also easy to like it, as many Australian families appear to do if you go by its continuing strong sales.The bottom line is that it's an easy car for a family to live with. Sure, it's not exciting, it doesn't challenge the senses, and it's not in the least sporty, but it drives with ease, it's practical and it's reliable. What's not to like when it's got all of that going for it.NEWToyota launched the sixth generation Camry in 2006 and at the same time realigned it within its overall model range. Gone was the V6 engine and its associated models, the sixth generation Camry was an all-four model and you had to buy an Aurion if you wanted the pep of a V6 engine.The Camry has never been regarded as particularly stylish, but it has evolved into a more eye-appealing car with each new model and there's nothing about the sixth generation model that warrants criticism.Four main models made up the range, beginning with the Altise and climbing through the Atevo, Sportivo and Grande, which topped the tree. There were upgrades in 207 and 2009, and a Touring model appeared in 2009.There was also a hybrid, but that's a specialised model and deserves its own treatment. The Camry is perfect for a family; it seats four adults in comfort, will take five at a squeeze, and has a decent boot. Inside, the cabin is roomy, the seats are quite comfortable, but if there's a criticism to be made it's that it's a little bland.With the V6 gone the only engine choice was the 2.4-litre four-cylinder unit. It wasn't a neck-snapper, but it didn't need to be in the family car class. It performed perfectly satisfactorily and delivered acceptable fuel economy.The transmission choices were a five-speed manual and a five-speed auto, but most left the factory with the self-shifter under the bonnet.On the road the Camry was a rather benign device, it did everything that was called for without in any sense being sporty. The steering was light, but still accurate enough, and the lightness made it a comfortable drive around town.NOWDespite setbacks in recent times when it has had to recall some cars Toyota still has a reputation for building sound, reliable cars. It's well justified as the Camry has few faults, and nothing that are of a major concern.There has been only one recall in Australia involving the sixth generation Camry, and that was for a faulty electric window switch in 2012. The switch could feel sticky, and in the worst case could overheat and melt.Check the owner's manual on any car you're considering buying second-hand and make sure the recall repair has been carried out. While you're at it check the car's service record to make sure all servicing has been done according to the book.You might also like to check if your potential choice has been a renter or a fleet car in an earlier life. Camrys were a popular choice as company hacks and rental cars, and while that shouldn't exclude them from your consideration it's best to be wise when buying one of these cars. They sometimes have a hard life and can at times be driven by people who don't care about their welfare.SMITHY SAYSIt's hard to dislike the Camry, it does everything well enough to be your first choice family car.Toyota Camry 2006-2011Price new: $33,000 to $39,900Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder, 117 kW/218 NmTransmission: 5-speed manual, 5-speed auto, FWDEconomy: 8.9 - 9.9 L/100 kmBody: 4-door sedanVariants: Altise, Ateva, Sportivo, GrandeSafety: 4-star ANCAPCOMING UPDo you own a Mercedes-Benz C-Class? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010. 

The Toyota’s Camry and Aurion are built in Melbourne and have many changes from the original Japanese design to suit them to our local driving conditions and Australian drivers’ tastes.

Toyota is generally regarded as setting the industry benchmark for build quality, reliability and durability, and it's the Camry that is often held up as the car that best illustrates Toyota's high standards.  Beyond those admirable qualities, though, there isn't a lot to write home about with the Camry.Like all Toyotas it gets the job of providing reliable and efficient transport done with little or no fuss, but it falls well short of the benchmark when it comes to excitement.  But most buyers who stump up the cash for a Camry couldn't care less about the thrill of motoring; they're perfectly happy with a car that doesn't cost the earth to own and rarely if ever lets them down.  Above all else the Camry is a safe and sound motoring choice.MODEL WATCHThe Camry is a much-maligned name. Over the years it has come to be the very definition of boring, at least in motoring terms.  No passionate car person would be seen dead driving a Camry, but to heaps of people the Camry is the best car in the world.  They're the people who value reliability, durability and low cost of ownership above all else. They couldn't care less that petrolheads sneer at their motoring choice.Toyota has worked hard to inject some character into the Camry of late, to make it more appealing to those who value their motoring experience, but its efforts have really come to naught. The Camry has been regarded as boring for too long, and nothing will change the perception.The Series 30 Camry that was launched in 2002 was a much more attractive car. Its lines were much tauter, its shape more aggressive, it was a far more appealing car than any of its predecessors.  Buyers could choose between a 2.4-litre four and a 3.0-litre V6.The double overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine was packed with up-to-the-minute technology like Toyota's VVTi variable valve-timing system that gave it decent flexibility from low speeds right through to high revs.  At its peak it would deliver 112 kW at 5800 revs and 218 Nm at 4000 revs.The V6 was also a double overhead camshaft engine and produced 141 kW at 5200 revs along with 279 Nm at 4000 revs.  Most Camrys were sold with a four-speed auto, but it was also available with a five-speed manual gearbox.Underneath, the Camry was conventional. It had struts at the front and rear, but work by Toyota's local engineering team ensured it was well tuned to our roads. As a result its ride and handling were widely praised.Its power steering was well weighted and precise, and the combination of ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes, backed up by ABS, was solid.  One thing the Camry has always been noted for is its roominess, and the Series 30 was no exception. It was designed as a family car and fits a family of five nicely.There is a plethora of models in the Camry range, starting from the Altise and working up through the Ateva, sporty Sportivo, Azura and finally to the luxury Grande with all the bells and whistles.IN THE SHOPThe Camry does it tough so be careful when choosing a car.  If they've been a family car they've been put to the test in the supermarket parking lot and the school run.Alternatively they've been a company car and driven by people who couldn't care less about their cars.  Check for a service record and make sure the engine oil has been regularly changed. Nothing kills an engine like a lack of fresh oil.The four-cylinder engine has a cam timing chain so there are no worries about replacing it, until it rattles. The V6 does have a belt that requires changing at around 150,000 km.IN A CRASHA capable chassis, powerful brakes with ABS make for a strong level of active crash protection.  A solid structure, dual front airbags, plus side airbags add a solid layer of secondary protection.  ANCAP gave the Camry four stars in its crash testing.AT THE PUMPWith a full-sized body the four-cylinder engine has to work hard, hence the fuel economy suffers. Expect 10-11 L/100 km round town, and single figures out on the highway.  The V6 will consume a little more; expect 10.5-11.5 L/100 km around town, and seven to nine L/100 km on the open road.OWNERS' SAYEric Deakin bought his 2005 Camry Ateva V6 seven months ago having done 97,000 km, and reckons it's the best car he has owned in more than 60 years of motoring. He says it is a well built, well appointed and very roomy car, which has excellent performance. So far he has found no faults at all with it and would happily recommend it to anyone.Rex Manuel bought his 2003 Camry Ateva four-cylinder second hand in 2005. He is happy with the Camry's roominess and its generous boot, but misses the performance of the Ford Fairmont he owned previously.LOOK FORReliabilityHigh build qualityRoomy interiorSmooth drivabilityGood resaleTHE BOTTOM LINEWell engineered and well built, with renowned reliability and good resale, the dull-as-dishwater Camry is a good choice for family transport.RATING72/100COMING UPDo you own a Ford Focus? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at Cars Guide or e-mail to: grah.smith@bigpond.com.

The Camry has often been the subject of derision and scorn, rarely has it been an object of desire. It has come to be the car we know deep down we should own, but could never bring ourselves to buy.Toyota has built an enviable reputation, and market leadership, on the back of the reliability and durability of its cars, but those things alone are not enough to entice buyers into dealerships. For anyone with petrol running through his or her veins it also takes a healthy measure of emotion, something Toyota generally lacks.The Camry has reliability and durability in bucket loads, but there’s not a lot about it that gets the juices flowing. It’s the safe bet, one you probably won’t regret, but it’s not the car you want to talk about when standing around the barbie.The wide-bodied Camry was a popular car in the 1990s, but did little to endear the badge to buyers looking for a car they could brag about. It was a frumpy four-door, one you parked out of sight rather than in your driveway. It seems that Toyota got the message as the 20th century steamed to an end and began to take more interest in styling.Perhaps there was a realization that they had to appeal to a broader range of buyers if they were to conquer the world as they hoped to do. Whatever the reason, today’s Camrys are much more attractive, with bold flowing lines and nicely balanced proportions.The Series 30 Camry was launched in 2002 and brought with it a tighter look with well-defined lines and an aggressive front end that included wildly sweeping headlights. It was a bold statement from the company that tended to lurk out of sight in the shadows when it came to automotive styling.The Camry’s power choices were a new locally-produced 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft four that was packed with plenty of technology, like Toyota’s VVTi variable valve timing system that gave it smooth pulling power right through the rev range. When stretched to the limit it would produce 112 kW at 5600 revs and 218 Nm at 4000 revs. The alternative was a 3.0-litre double overhead camshaft V6 that produced 141 kW at 5200 revs and 279 Nm at 4000 revs.While most Camrys would have left showrooms with the four-speed auto in the tunnel, it was also possible to have a five-speed manual gearbox.Underneath, the suspension wasn’t earth shatteringly new, with struts front and rear, but worked very well. Local tuning by Toyota’s engineers ensured it handled our roads well; with admirable ride comfort and reassuring handling even over rough surfaces.Likewise, the power steering was well weighted and accurate, and the brakes, a combination of ventilated front discs and solid rears, with ABS oversighting the action, were positive and powerful.There’s plenty of room inside the Camry for a family of five, it’s well equipped and comfortable.The Camry does duty in the toughest arenas, the non-caring world of the fleet car and the school and supermarket runs of mum and the kids, so look for collateral damage from the bump and run of daily life. Bumps and scrapes on body extremities are commonplace, it’s part of the Camry’s natural environment. Nothing looks worse than body scaring and it’s costly to repair. They also tell a tale of how well the car has been treated. If it’s scarred on the outside there’s a good chance it’s scarred on the inside.Check for a service record and make sure the engine oil has been regularly changed. There’s nothing nicer for an engine than fresh oil, sludge build-up is the engine’s natural enemy. The four-cylinder Camry engine has a timing chain so there’s no servicing required until it starts to rattle, but that won’t happen until way into the upper reaches of the odometer. The V6 does have a belt that requires changing at around 150,000 km.Build quality is high, all parts fit together well and stay together over the life of the car, so you don’t tend to find things fall apart or off the Camry in service.The capable chassis with precise steering and powerful brakes presented a convincing primary safety argument for the Camry, and with dual front airbags, plus side airbags there was plenty of protection when the metal started crumpling.Size hampers the Camry when it comes to pump performance. The four-cylinder cars will do 10-11 L/100 km around town and a little better on the highway, while the V6 models will consume on average 1.5 litres more.Ron Flint bought his 2005 Camry in 2007. He had hired a Camry while on holiday and was so impressed with its performance, economy, easy handling and features that he bought one when he got back home. The Camry had done 5000 km when he bought it to replace his 200,000 km Falcon, which had blown a head gasket.Eric Deakin bought his 2005 Camry Ateva V6 seven months ago having done 97,000 km, and reckons it’s the best car he has owned in more than 60 years of motoring. He says it is a well-built, well-appointed and very roomy car, which has excellent performance. So far he has found no faults at all with it and would happily recommend it to anyone.Rex Manuel bought his 2003 Camry Ateva four-cylinder second hand in 2005. He is happy with the Camry’s roominess and its generous boot, but misses the performance of the Ford Fairmont he owned previously.• Sharp looks.• Reliable mechanical package• Good performance• Smooth drivability• Good resale valueWell-engineered, well-built, the Camry is robust and reliable, great transport for families.

The locally made Camry is as good as it gets for final finishing and rates up against the Japanese imports.It also makes a stronger case against the Liberty and Accord Euro on its size, equipment, price and performance.We began our time in the Camry with the Sportivo, which looks far more convincing as an impact car after the local styling work of the team led by Paul Beranger.It is still not a muscle car but it doesn't look, as the previous model did, like a try-too-hard car. It also rides and handles well, with a good match to the car's 117kW engine and the latest five-speed auto.Then we slipped into the Camry Grande for a longer look at the top end of the line. It is well equipped, excellent value and beautifully finished.It also has everything you could want in a car, at a price just below $40,000, making it one of the value deals of the year.It feels more relaxed and enjoyable than the Mitsubishi 380, which is another car it needs to face and beat, and more light and airy.But we cannot help thinking about the VE. And when you compare the Camry with the Commodore, the Holden wins.It is bigger, more together as a package, more enjoyable to drive and not that much worse on fuel economy.Our time in the Grande gave us a fuel reading of 9.8 litres/100km. A moderate driver with the Holden V6 could get up to 12 litres in the same conditions.Still, the Grande is a good deal and drives well. It can be a little jiggly over small bumps, even compared with the Sportivo, but is the sort of car that will make a happy and relaxing run from Melbourne to Sydney.The engine is no powerhouse and the Grande is no lightweight at more than 1500kg, but it moves the car along nicely and the five-speed auto is a smooth shifter that can also be encouraged with a manual shift.The cabin is airy and well equipped, the satnav, airconditioning and sound system all work as well as anything for the price, and the Camry is light to drive and easy to park.The box is ticked for headlight performance, the rear seat is good enough for families and there is plenty of boot space.It is also a quiet car and easy to enter and leave. The seats are still set too high for us, the chassis has plenty of room for more grip and response through the steering, and there are no six-speed gearboxes.So, at the end of the day, it is still a Camry. It does the job, and does most jobs well, but it's not the car you will rave about.