2011 Toyota Camry Reviews

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.

NEWThe Camry might be one of the country's top selling cars, it's hugely popular in the business world, but it rarely gets more than a casual glance from the wider motoring community.It's always been the fall-back car for those who don't really care too much about what they drive. Most know about Toyota's reputation for reliability, and appreciate the resale that comes with the brand, but few care about anything beyond those fundamentals of car ownership.The release of the new eighth generation, Australian-built Camry thus passed by with little fuss being made of what was in many ways a much-improved car. Toyota revised its model line-up, giving more separation to the fleet models and the new sportier models that were aimed more at the private buyer.The Altise was aimed at fleet buyers, while private buyers got to choose from three variants of the newly named Atara: S, SX and SL. The Camry has never been renowned for its looks, it has always sat comfortably at the conservative end of the styling scale, but the new model in 2011 was quite attractive with clean lines and a handsome profile.Inside, the cabin was a much more pleasant place to be with more room and better comfort, and a more appealing dash layout. Beyond the cabin there was a good-sized boot.Power came from a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 131 kW and 231 Nm, enough to endow the mid-sized sedan with impressive zip. It was sufficient to keep up in the cut and thrust of city traffic, and still cruise comfortably on the open road.It was also more economical than the old model, with Toyota claiming the fuel consumption was reduced by a full litre per 100 km. Backing up to the engine was a paddle-shifted six-speed automatic transmission, with the final drive being sent to the front wheels.On the road the new Camry was quiet, handled nicely and rode with admirable smoothness. With a full arsenal of safety gear, including seven airbags, ESP, traction control, rear cameras and blind-spot alerts there was no question about it getting all the ticks of approval ANCAP could hand out.NOWMost Camry owners praise their cars. They particularly like the roomy cabin, the big boot and the fuel economy. Those few who criticise it usually complain about the performance of the engine, although there are fewer complaints about the 2.5-litre engine than there were about the smaller engine in the previous model.There has been one recall of the Camry. That was in 2012 when Toyota reported there was a possibility that the fuel hose connecting the main fuel supply line to the engine could have become wrinkled during manufacture. If so, it could result in a hole in the fuel hose that could cause a fuel leak.When checking a car prior to purchase check the service record to make sure all is well in the maintenance department. One thing you don't have to worry about with the Camry is a timing belt change; they have a chain that doesn't require changing.SMITHY SAYSEighth time round Toyota's quiet achiever became a much more desirable car.Toyota Camry 2011-2013Price new: $30,490 to $39,990Engine: 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder, 133-135 kW/231-235 NmTransmission: 6-speed automatic, FWDEconomy: 7.7 L/100 kmBody: 4-door sedanVariants: Altise, Atara A, Atara SX, Atara SLSafety: 5-star ANCAP

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. 

Ignore the middle child at your peril when it comes to buying the family car.
 The large-car segment is in the doldrums and everyone has skipped to SUVs or small cars, but one area overlooked to the detriment of many car buyers
is the medium segment.
The word is getting out. Last year, medium-car sales grew 15 per cent to just over 87,000 24,000 more than in the large-car segment.
 The numbers went close to overtaking the larger-vehicle segment last year, falling short by just over 2000 units.
The middle-sized segment has shown steady growth in the past decade, finishing 2002 with just under 39,000 vehicles. Camry ruled the roost then too, with the Mazda6 and Subaru Liberty the best of the rest.
 But size matters don't let anyone tell you otherwise and the reps in the medium segment now are well sized for family transport.
Camry has been the dominant force in the medium segment, with plenty of fleet interest in the petrol and hybrid versions, but the most recent incarnations are a long way from the bland brigade that went before.
 The hybrid version carried a more reasonable price tag than the Prius trailblazer and it's more than big enough for family duties.
Toyota's Camry Hybrid is 110mm longer, 98mm wider, 107mm longer in wheelbase and 109mm taller than the original VB Commodore, although the VB weighed in at 1220kg 400kg lighter than the petrol-electric Camry Hybrid, but batteries, airbags and other equipment quickly add to the number on the weighbridge.
As Toyota was slowly bringing its Camry out of a narcoleptic haze, Honda and Mazda were well on the way to applying defibrillators.
The 6 and Accord Euro both offered willing powerplants, decent chassis balance, acceptable ride quality and an enthusiastic edge to the car's demeanour when required.
 Mazda kicked off the 21st century with a change to the 6 and has not looked back since.In August 2002 it arrived in Australia, bringing a pulse back to the segment.
The Accord Euro lobbed on Australian showrooms the following year, leaner and more nimble than the larger V6 Accord, giving open-minded buyers some real food for thought.
(Search for hundreds more choices)2011 Mazda6 Luxury Sports hatch
Engine: 2.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Thirst: 8.8L/100km
 CARSGUIDE SAYS 
"The car that marked the beginning of the Zoom Zoom Mazda renaissance shed the cardigan image with a great handling chassis and looks that didn't start a snoozefest. With the new model now on sale sans hatchback, this is the only way to get a 6 with the liftback boot. Features include dual airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability control, rain sensing wipers, parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, satnav and leather trim."  2007 Honda Accord Euro Luxury
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Thirst: 9.4L/100km
CARSGUIDE SAYS
"Another Japanese mid-sizer with road manners to amuse the driver. With sharp looks, a reasonable list of safety features and bells and whistles, the Accord Euro found favour and awards in the medium segment. The Euro cosseted a family with its dual-zone climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, dual front, side and curtain airbags and leather trim."2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid sedan
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid
Transmission: CVT
Thirst: 6L/100km
 CARSGUIDE SAYS
 "Better value than the Prius trailblazer, the Camry has space for a family, the fuel economy of a shopping trolley hatchback and driving manners that are surprisingly good. At its best in the city and suburbs, when braking can charge the battery, the green Camry is a surprisingly pleasant machine."

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.

This Camry is the most impressive new model in a very long time.The bedrock car for Toyota in Australia - thanks to local production and extensive exports - has always been bland but effective, a result that's reflected in 17 years of sales leadership in the medium-car class but no real enthusiasm among people who like to drive.This one is more adventurous in design, more luxurious in the cabin, and considerably more enjoyable to drive.Highlights range from the six-speed automatic gearbox and whisper- quiet cabin to a boot that's both giant and easy to use. The new 2.5- litre engine, which goes into local production late in 2012 and will be added to the export roster, also brings better performance with a claimed economy improvement to 7.8 litres/100km.But don't go looking for a manual gearbox. It's gone, as only two percent of Camry buyers wanted one.PRICINGThe range starts with the Altise which has an unchanged starting price of $30,490. Toyota has tweaked the model lineup and dropped the Grande - which could easily re-appear when the Aurion arrived in the middle of 2012 - in favour of an Atara SL at $39,990.Among the buyer benefits are a seven-airbag interior, safety equipment that includes automatic high-beam and blind-spot monitoring at the top end of Camry, and capped-price servicing extended to four years and 75,000 kilometres at $130 a time for the whole range.First impressions always count and the new Camry does well.The looks is more modern and, once you get inside, the driver's seat finally sit low enough that you don't feel you're sitting on the car. It's only a 15 millimetre change but it alters the whole perspective. It's something driven by the Australian engineering team under Max Gillard that also got rear-seat air vents into the Camry, even though it meant convincing Japan that it was alright to cut CD storage space from 17 discs to 14.DRIVINGUnder way, the new powertrain makes the Camry a touch more lively in city traffic and - once you flick across to the manual mode - the transmission responds well to driver commands for twisty roads.The cabin is more plush than before, and not just a sea a grey plastic, with a big new dash display that works well. It's a pity, though, that satnav is not standard and the punchy JBL sound system is not available on the sporty models.The ride quality is a little compromised, too, on the cars that ride on 55-series tyres on 17-inch alloys. Actually, the ride is best in the basic Altise.The boot is truly huge and a lid that swings right up - even on old- fashioned hinges - means it's easy to load and unload. The back seat has plenty of space.It's going to take a Carsguide comparison to put the Camry into sharp perspective against cars such as the Ford Mondeo and Mazda6, but it's the seventh-generation car is a major advance and has real potential to win buyers.This is the car Toyota has needed to finally bury the Camry Chicken, which starred for so long in Australian advertising because a stuffed puppet was more exciting than the car.

You'd think about buying this one. With your own money, that is.That's the remarkable thing about Toyota's Camry (and that adjective sharing the same sentence as this car is, in itself, rather remarkable). Despite being as commonplace as sand in the Simpson, despite the plethora of four time owners for whom Camry is synonymous with “car”, some 60 per cent are white entry level jiggers flogged to fleets.These then proceed into the used market and faithfully serve their undemanding owners for up to a decade or far more. You see them daily, an endorsement of Toyota reliability but not a boon to Toyota profitability.The real money is yours and mine; that of the private new car buyer.But when it comes to the middle-size class segment, we're apt to head to the showrooms of Mazda, Honda, Subaru or if we've about $40K to spend to those of the German duo, Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat. If this crowd was not enough, Camry's traditional constituents are being targeted by Hyundai's i45.These mid-size sedans are all visually appealing and (excepting the i45) dynamically adept, discernibly beneath the Euro prestige set, but commanding a bit of badge respect. This no one can plausibly claim for the Camry.If common associations include: “safe”, “solid” and “reliable”, another is: “bowling lady's car”.The difficulty for Toyota in grabbing a slice of the private pie is enticing first time buyers without alienating core punters.So how do you make vanilla interesting? It seems an insurmountable ask.Carsguide was among a select group of Australian journalists the first invited to Toyota's vast North American Proving Grounds outside Phoenix, Arizona to sample pre-production examples of the new generation Camry two months before this today’s worldwide unveiling.VALUETo the plethora of existing specification levels - some of which won’t survive - comes the new Atara, one crammed with standard fruit, very much the anti-fleet Camry. Its comparative opulence is reflected by the name.Camry as few of us know means “crown”. Atara is Hebrew for “new crown”. So a Toyota Double Crown needs to be fit for household's king and queen at a plebeian price.The latter we won't know until this week, but it's reasonable to guesstimate that while the range will continue to kick off from about $30K, the Atara will be in the region of 40, certainly in Hybrid form.For that, the user chooser will get kit that until recently was the preserve of prestige machines, including a blind spot monitor with wing mirror warning light, touchscreen audio, auto high-beam, shifting paddles and wing mirror integrated indicators.Moreover the Ataras we sampled were of a palpably improved, almost Lexus level of quality.DESIGNHead engineer Yukihiro Okane says the key words in developing the new sedan were “rational” and “emotional”.While hardly inspiration for lyric poetry, this Camry is more distinctive at any rate not invisible with a more purposeful front and angular rear. Aerodynamic measures, Oaken-san says, are derived from Formula 1, which makes this family car maker's involvement in elite racing seem slightly less bewildering.No panels are shared with the current device, but it's mainly a case of upgrading the Camry's off the rack suit to something sharper. Some of the tailoring works.Even on 17-inch alloys, the bulky body looks under tyred (though, practically speaking, it isn't). That pays off with ease of egress through huge rear doors.The only practical objections to the current Hybrid are an inability to tow and its truncated boot. Technically, the former can't be helped, but with 430-litres stowage the latter question mark over its family suitability is addressed.It's within that the changes are most marked. Occupant space is fractionally improved and the enhanced materials have a look and tactile feel that wouldn't appear out of place in Toyota's luxury Lexus line-up. When you hear yourself making approving noises about the door insert materials, you know you've landed in a comfortable place.TECHNOLOGYPerformance is up, juice use is down, due to a new 2.5-litre four cylinder that in conventional form puts out a class competitive 135kW/235Nm. “New”, that is, to Australia it's been in US-built Camrys for some time, hence Okane-san looks a bit abashed when we wonder why Toyota hasn't moved to a more efficient direct injection model a la VW, Hyundai and, soon, Mazda.Even so it will, he says, use less than 8L/100km of basic unleaded. Logically the Hybrid could challenge Holden's Cruze diesel manual for the title of the leanest locally made car the current Hybrid uses 6.0-litres over the 100, the cheaper and smaller Cruze consumes 5.6.SAFETYSeven airbags as standard is one better than the class average. These, and new items such as automatically dimming high beams, will ensure the current model's five star crash safety rating is readily retained.DRIVINGToyota's desert proving ground is a mighty facility, in which all conceivable road conditions are encountered. We take the opportunity to repeatedly push these pre-production Ataras on a high speed freeway run, then over broken (all too Australian) bitumen, through a skidpan dotted with witches' hats and along a coarse chip suburban-like strip.Never synonymous with performance, the new Camry's improved output is immediately apparent, getting it off the mark smartly and pulling quickly and cleanly through its six gears, cruising easily up to its electronically limited 180km/h. Backing way off for the slalom, it's almost bemusing to find a Camry responding this smartly to steering inputs (which will be further refined for Australian production), the stability program triggering only under determined provocation.Absent is the acquatic lurching half expected in an American made car. This bodes promisingly for locally developed and manufactured model.While we're by no means talking of sport sedan dynamics, this Camry clearly has a capability that will be more than enough for most people most of the time.It's the petrol electric version that most impresses though, with its almost instantaneous, completely linear power delivery and eerie quietness at speed, when the only noise is the whistle of wind past the wing mirriors. Now possessed of practical storage, this could be the pick of the Atara range and the hybrid sedan that breaks through to the mainstream.VERDICTThe Camry remains vanilla, but of a richer, creamier blend essentially the same but slightly more appetising. There's a bit more power, slightly better economy and appreciably more gear. Being a Toyota, ownership is devoid of excitement, but it's also going to be free of difficulty. Get past the badge and it's hard to see how the Hybrid is bettered a lean-running, two kid family conveyance.“The Camry remains vanilla, but of a richer, creamier blend essentially the same but slightly more appetising.”CAMRY HISTORYWHAT DOES IT MEAN?Camry - from the Japanese Kan-Muri, meaning "crown".WHERE IS IT BUILT?Camry and its four-cylinder engine are built at Toyota's Altona manufacturing plant in Melbourne, Victoria. Toyota directly employs 3,200 people in Victoria and more than 4,400 nationally.HOW MANY?Approximately 100,000 four-cylinder Camry sedans are produced at Altona each year. Approximately 70 per cent are exported, mainly to the Middle East. Camry has been produced in Australia since 1987.HOW SUCCESSFUL?Camry is now in its 18th year as Australia's best-selling mid-size car. It is also Australia's biggest automotive export earner, being shipped to more than 20 destinations.BACKGROUNDLaunched in the wake of the oil shocks of the late ’70s, Camry has established itself as a true world car. Planning for the Camry began in 1977, at a time when manufacturers globally were turning to smaller front-wheel-drive vehicles to overcome soaring fuel costs and stricter fuel efficiency regulations. The emphasis of the program was on aerodynamics and lightweight materials.Engine development focused on fuel efficiency, with engines built specially to drive the front wheels. Around the world, Camry production has now passed 15 million units.1983 – first generation (imported)The Camry was introduced to Australia as an import in liftback guise in 1983. It won several "best car" awards, including Modern Motor magazine’s Car of the Year. The car featured a new five-speed manual and ECT-equipped four-speed automatic transmissions with wide gear ratios. The front-wheel-drive layout, without a transmission tunnel, allowed for a spacious interior.Innovations in the first Camry included equal-length driveshaft arms, two-stage air conditioning and multi-adjustable seats. That tradition of innovation continued throughout the life of the Camry and the brand is now synonymous with world-leading sophistication and quality.1987 – second generation, but first locally produced CamryIt wasn’t until the second-generation Camry that the car was built locally. AMI-Toyota was the first Toyota subsidiary in the world to build the Camry and the local version incorporated extensive design changes – including three locally designed wagon variants. The Australian-made Camry made its showroom debut in April 1987, replacing the locally built Corona.With this generation, Toyota introduced a locally built twin-cam 2.0-litre 16-valve four-cylinder engine, followed in May 1988 by a new 2.5-litre quad-cam 24-valve V6. The engine was the world’s first quad-cam V6 engine to feature in a mass production sedan. This generation also saw the release of a station wagon to replace the hatchback.Camry allowed Toyota to compete on equal footing with the other leading medium cars of the day – Mitsubishi’s Magna, Holden’s Camira and Nissan’s Pintara.The Australian-built car featured independent front and rear Macpherson-strut suspension, engine-speed-sensitive power steering and disc brakes front and rear. It brought a new level of sophistication and technology to the local market.A revised Camry appeared in August 1989, incorporating local steering modifications that were to gain international acceptance within Toyota. An Australian team revised the steering valve and geometry to improve driver feel and response. The changes were later adopted for worldwide Camry production.Toyota continued to push for quality improvements. It was determined that investment in a new plant was necessary to achieve further gains. The proposal to build a new Camry plant at Altona was presented to Toyota Motor Corporation, which approved the plan to build a $420 million assembly plant at Altona.1993 – third generationIn February 1993, the new wide-bodied Camry was launched publicly by Prime Minister Paul Keating, who described the car as “another quantum leap in the history of the Australian automotive industry”.Wheels magazine agreed and Camry came out on top in a comparison with Magna, Mazda 626 and Liberty. Camry was also the top-ranked local car in Wheels’ annual quality survey and won the NRMA’s gong for best medium car.Camry grew up for this generation. It was larger in every dimension than the previous model, and became classified as "mid-size". The car was wider and longer than Cressida, with better performance, improved fuel economy, ABS and reduced NVH. It also had more local input into design and development. Built at a cost of $140 million, the range also featured a new brand name – the Vienta – for its V6 models.Engines were now 2.2-litre four-cylinder units (producing almost as much power as the previous V6, but with four-cylinder economy), and 3.0-litre V6s.That same year, Toyota began exporting the Camry to Thailand. By 1994, Altona exports were worth $160 million and the company announced that, by the year 2000, it aimed to export 30 per cent of its Altona Camry production. The year also saw Camry take over the mantle of Australia’s best-selling medium car.The last Camry to be built at Port Melbourne rolled off the production line in December 1994. Two weeks later, the Camry was being built at Altona. There was little difference between the Port Melbourne and Altona vehicles, except for a new water-borne, environmentally friendly paint process at Altona.In 1996, Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett was on hand to send off the first shipment of Camrys to the Middle East.1997 – fourth generationA new range was launched in August 1997. It was quieter, lighter and more powerful with better ride quality and improved handling. With an additional 5cm in wheelbase, a lowered beltline and swept-back windscreen, the 1997 Camry’s cabin was more spacious and inviting. By this time, 40 per cent of Camry production was being shipped overseas to 24 destinations.The line-up of four-cylinder Camry models consisted of the CSI, Conquest and CSX models, available as sedans or wagons. Camry V6 models consisted of CSI and Conquest. Both of Camry’s engines received power and torque increases.In October 2000, a revised Camry range was launched with improved handling, higher feature levels, improved headlamps and reduced noise, vibration and harshness. Two models were added to the Camry line-up - Touring Series wagon and top-of-the-range sports-luxury Azura sedan. The Vienta V6 range was discontinued due to the launch of the Avalon sedan.