Toyota Camry: So Much More Than A Taxi

If you routinely hail a cab on your way to work, to the airport, or to the mall, chances are, you've taken a ride in a Toyota Camry. And if you should ever chance a peek at the odometer, you shouldn't be surprised if it reads something north of 500,000km. Toyotas, in general, and the Camry in particular, are regarded as highly reliable and well-rounded sedans, and that is what makes them such popular private family cars and staple vehicles for commercial fleets worldwide. The counter argument - a most evident one - is that they come across as bland and clinical.

But with the newly-launched 2016 Camry, Toyota is aiming to shed some of its conservative styling and add a dash of excitement to this everyday road warrior. This week, we've got the Limited variant - the top-spec version - to put through the paces and here are our thoughts.
DESIGN & AESTHETICS
What's in a name, especially one like Camry? The name roughly means 'crown' and it's pretty apt, considering it is Toyota's flagship sedan. It is also the successor, of sorts, to the car named Crown - the car it replaced a couple of decades ago. For 2016, the name remains, but the 5-seater mid-size sedan gets a complete redesign, bumper-to bumper. The first noticeable break from the conservative design is the bold, sporting and rather aggressive grille - which looks a bit like Lexus' spindle grille. It shares a wide open-mouth bumper design - the gaping appearance created by large blacked-out trims - with the revamped Yaris.
The open grille up front has a single slat that connects full LED headlamps, which maybe a first for this segment. Now, that's bringing cutting-edge technology to the masses! Base models, though, come with regular halogen lights. The blacked-out bumper has a honeycomb design and is flanked by vertical lamp clusters that house directional indicators and fog lamps - like the Lexus F-Sport.
The top two models - SE+ and Limited - have auto light control, which is important, because it means that if you leave your cabin lights on overnight, you aren't going to be greeted by a dead battery in the morning. There's also an auto levelling function and day-time running LED lamps.
The profile isn't a total replica of the Camrys of past, with only subtle changes like the slanted creases on the doors, at the shoulder line and bottom. There is also a blacked-out faux window insert. Why they didn't just use real glass is beyond us!
The base model comes with 16", while the SE+ and Limited get old-fashioned, but chic, Porsche Cayenne-style 17" alloys with a triple-spoke design finished in titanium grey. But considering the new Camry's aesthetic uplift, you'd think you'd get 18" wheels.
The rear, though redesigned, has very conventional styling. It is populated by wrap-around rear lamps, which are reminiscent of the Lexus ES 350. At the bottom half of the rear bumper are dual exhaust pipes, which give a sporty intent.
Toyota offers the new Camry in one of 12 colours, including four new ones - dark blue, dark steel, super white and light yellow. In a nutshell, the new Camry has left its small-town commuter looks behind and swapped it for a classier city slicker styling.
The interior for the new car has been inherited from the previous generation - little has changed. It still sports the 3-spoke Lexus-style steering wheel and the horizontal-theme dash. There's plastic everywhere (urethane is what they like to call it), including the steering wheel; the higher models get faux leather, but that's even more fake stuff.
What has also been retained is the stitching over the dashboard that everyone would find interesting at first sight and loathe a second later. At least, now, it is of a contrasting colour, which varies from red to white, depending on the trim. Much of that contrast stitching makes it to the steering wheel, shift lever and seats.
The Limited variant gets suede perforated trims on the door panels and a contrast stitched finish throughout the cabin. The front seatback profile and the cushion shape have been adjusted to increase the surface area that contacts the body, resulting in a  more comfortable and less fatigue-inducing seating posture. All models get power lumbar control; unfortunately, you'd have to get the Limited model if you need to give your spouse more power controls at the seat up front.
Top models get a 4.2" TFT screen between the instrument gauges that display various info, and the centre console arrangement has also been modified. The base models get a 6.1" colour infotainment screen and higher models enjoy the extended view of a 7" screen.
In a car like the Toyota Camry, it's about getting the basics right. There is plenty of space in here and the cabin is easily comparable to a full-size sedan with plenty of range for your head, shoulders and legs. The other thing is ergonomics - everything in the Camry, all the lettering and controls are readable and within reach. And finally, there is good news for stowage in the form of large cup holders and an accommodating glove box and central cubby.
Toyota has given the Camry as fuss-free a cabin as can be had in one of four distinct colours - ivory, grey, black and a mix of the last two. We say stick with grey or black, especially if you've got kids.
POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
The sub-2L engines are economy driven, while those above the 3L capacity are a little too quick for many, if we'd dare say. The 2.5L 4-cylinder powertrain in the Camry slots right in, providing best of both worlds. The SE+ and Limited models get 178bhp, which comes in at 6,000rpm. As for torque, you get 235Nm to pull you forward. The S and SE models have a marginal power and torque disadvantage, which you probably wouldn't even notice on the road.
All models are synced with a traditional 6-speed automatic, with only the top two trims getting the paddle shifters. The swap of ratios isn't nearly as quick as a dual-clutch transmission, but at least the transition through the gears is smooth. It is true that both the engine and gearbox haven't been upgraded, but why fix something that's not broken?
The Camry's throttle is quick to respond, even with the lightest of touches, and forward motion is generally brisk, when required. More importantly, it can handle 4-5 passengers without much of performance depreciation. In our acceleration test from 0-100km/h, the Camry consistently clocked under nine seconds, while claiming sub-8 second timing on some occasions.
In the parking lot, the newly developed Electric Power Steering (EPS) seemed genuinely light with ease of use, even when you get on to open stretches of road. There is decent feedback, but this is not a sports sedan. There is no fancy air suspension, either. But a lengthy wheelbase and soft-sprung suspension helps it achieve a composed ride comfort that is good for elders and those returning home after a day's work. Nissan Altimas and Honda Accords provide a more compliant ride, but this is a close second.
Even with decent drivability and 5-seater functionality, the Camry is capable of delivering commendable fuel economy. You can expect about 8L/100km on the highway and about 12-13L/100km driving in the city.
FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
As you would expect in one of the world's most favourite cars, there is a host of safety features, both passive and active. It comes equipped with ABS, Brake Assist and 10 airbags. You get dual-type airbags for front occupants (protecting the side and knees) and curtain airbags too. You also have cruise control to help you with long haul drives, anti-theft system, etc. The mandated features like parking sensors and rear camera are part of the package, and so are ISOFIX mounts.
The A/C is almost too good - the cabin gets really cold. The system obviously has been sized right, but it hasn't been calibrated well. But that is hardly a complaint. Music to your ears is brought to you by a 6-speaker unit, but the available 10-speaker JBL unit on the top spec is a worthy upgrade and brings real bass output and amplifies the seemingly hidden notes you don't hear in other family car systems. Also, audiophiles can enjoy the convenience of connecting a USB port and stream music via Bluetooth.
Sliding in longer items in the boot are no longer a task considering the Camry comes with foldable 60:40 split rear seats. Now, you can take on a wide variety of seating and luggage configurations.
VERDICT
At the end of the day, the 2016 Toyota Camry is what the Camry has represented over the past couple of decades - a truly versatile and affordable mid-sized sedan. Cabin plastics and the taxicab stigma remain its cons, but no one wants to - or should - say no to reliability, resale value and a five-year warranty.