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2007 Toyota Camry driven
Toyota has held the 2007 Camry’s first driving event for the press and the web reviews are starting to roll in. Mark our words, nearly every review of the redesigned Camry will mention the word “vanilla” and also conclude that the new sedan will retain its position in 2006 as the country’s best selling car. (Read the Inside Line review and Family Car.com review)
None of this comes as a shocker, but we did learn something new about the Camry Hybrid in particular that’s news to us. According to the review by FamilyCar.com, in CA, MA, NY, NJ, VT, ME, NH and RI the hybrid components in the Camry Hybrid will have a 15-year/150,000-mile warranty and its batteries will be covered for 10 years/150,000 miles. For the rest of the country these components get an 8-year/100,000 mile warranty.
Does this mean Hyundai doesn’t have the biggest warranty in the auto biz any longer? Probably not, as the standard bumper-to-bumper warranty follows the industry average for three years or 36,000 miles and the powertrain is covered for five years or 60,000 miles. Regardless, adding a warranty of that size to its hybrid components will most likely go a long way in helping Toyota dispel fears about the long-term reliability of its hybrid powertrains.
[pic provided by FamilyCar.com - thanks to nsx280ps for the tip!]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Tony 7:21PM (2/17/2006)
This car looks far better in person. The snout is far more vertical than other cars due to I think new European pedestrian impact standards. Toyota has brought to market another winner.
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koolibar 10:39AM (2/24/2006)
Despite all the very subjective and diverse views expressed here about brand image, appearance and styling (mainly from amatuer auto correspondent wannabees)rest assured the professional at Toyota have got it right. Just watch this baby increase it's lead at the top of the best sellers list. Put money on it. Never forget, the consumer drives the market share figures.
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Charles Bumpus 10:02AM (2/25/2006)
Have driven Camry's for years because of reliability and resale value. Fed up with the style/design of the Camry. Tired of driving a car that with an "O.F." watermark.
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Vyperboy 7:40PM (3/09/2006)
Taking into consideration all the cars that the new Camry was compared to in this comments section, it's a no-wonder those few disliked it's re-styled looks. Unfortunately, all the cars that were mentioned and used as a comparison are beyond ugly....they're just plain rude. And the Impala has to be one of the ugliest cars period. But then again, there are some Japanese auto-makers putting out some ugly cars too. Just take a look at the current Nissan Altima and Maxima. Last but not least, I think Toyota did a beautiful job on the re-styling of the 2007 Camry considering what it looked like in the past. Those were some ugly Camrys, I have to admit. I absolutely hated them. Never thought I'd consider buying a Camry, but I think I will.
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Stephen 5:33AM (4/09/2006)
I do not need someone from Japan telling me I am Lazy & Stupid. No need for that.
I just bought a 2007 Camry LE 2.4L 4 cylinder. It was NOT the car I was trying to order. I was trying to Order a Corolla LE. It was put on hold (again) and was taking over three months to even get started in production. This is where the American car makers have the edge. I can get a car in three weeks from "order".
That being said I ended up getting a Camry. It is a nice well made car. It doesn't have all the options I wanted, but I was NOT going to wait until they decide to build it. The safty features are really what I was "sold" on. 7 air bags. So far the economy with the 4 cylinder seems ok...not Corolla ok...but, better then most in its class.
As for American cars being Land Yachts? Not really true. My 2000 Park Avenue is still running strong. It still has a better ride then this brand new Camry and the Park is 6 years old. The reliability of a Buick is right up there. They are well engineered cars also. I will get at least 300K miles out of that. My 1994 Lesabre Limited is still going strong with over 200K on it.(I am saving it for my Daughter's first car) The 3.8L 6 cylinder engine in both my Buicks is from the early 1960's. One of the best engines I have ever owned. Just remember it was us Lazy & Stupid Americans that allowed many peoples of the world to have the Freedom to build cars in their countries today.
The 2007 Camry is a decent looking car compared to the 2006. Handles well...decent power even with the 2.4L engine. I am looking forward to still be driving this car well after 200K miles are on it.
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the friendly grizzly 7:15AM (1/31/2006)
My goodness. Will you just LOOK at that cutting-edge styling! So elegant and forward-thinking. Not like a rotten ol' Buick or Ford 500 no SIR.
Even the grille is expressive. It is Cathy from the comic strip going "ACK!"
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sensitive_man 7:44AM (1/31/2006)
Grizzly - You have to remember the target audience.
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Ophrey 7:46AM (1/31/2006)
Its a nice looking car, much better then the previous design. I think while some may call it "Vanilla" there are more "Vanilla" type cars out there like the "Uber Vanilla" Impala, having an anemic motor and ultra plain design.
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Edsel 7:58AM (1/31/2006)
#2 - "target audience" = vanilla crackers?
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7of7 8:14AM (1/31/2006)
I see TOASTER!!!
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Chris Meisenzahl 8:17AM (1/31/2006)
Ouch, the front end looks like a Dodge Stratus. adn the color is horrid. That said, it'll probably last 20 years mechanically.
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VW-Guy 8:20AM (1/31/2006)
As much as I hate Camry's (geezers in their beige V6's going 15 under the limit all the time with their left turn signal on, but I digress) this one does look better than the last model, if nothing else it is as generic as it gets, the current model is butt-ugly.
As a marketing kinda guy, I would say the extended warranty is directly to target an issue. Is it safe to assume from this Toyota is acknowledging people shy away from Hybrids becuase they are worried about the complexity of it all? Especially given the Camry's target audience, ultra conservative play it safe types?
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the friendly grizzly 8:28AM (1/31/2006)
More like genuine immitation vanilla. sensitive_man, the target audience? You are likely right. They want to drive a 4-wheeled Amana refrigerator. A Universal Driving Machine.
I had a Buick on rental a couple of weeks back. At least you could hear the engine a bit when you stepped on it, and in spite of all the insulation and other things, the car still had some personality to it. The only Japanese cars I have ever driven that had any sort of personality were Subarus and an Infiniti Q45. The Subarus, regardless of model, said "tin can". The Infinii? It was a real driver's car. I enjoyed it greatly. Darn nice car.
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Paul 8:30AM (1/31/2006)
"Target audience" = "people who care more about reliability than outlandish style".
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Herb 8:46AM (1/31/2006)
Paul, why must reliability be boring?
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DarkKnight67 8:47AM (1/31/2006)
Just saw one of these at the local auto show. Even a friend who has one said it is one of the fugliest cars he'd ever seen. Between the afterthought grille and the hokey BMW bubble butt, it is about as stupid as can be.
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Priit 8:59AM (1/31/2006)
got any more pics?
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ucme 9:00AM (1/31/2006)
You know what really bothers me about this car? The hood line across the front. Your eye is just drawn to it way too much. They should have found a way to make the hood blend seamlessly into the grill. It would look much cleaner and more pleasing to the eye stylistically. Incidentally, the same sort of thing bothers me about the Accord (the way the hood doesn't line up with the headlights).
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Darien 9:03AM (1/31/2006)
I must be the only one that thinks why'd they swipe the Mazda 6 front end and a Honda back end?
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Lithous 9:07AM (1/31/2006)
"Regardless, adding a warranty of that size to its hybrid components will most likely go a long way in helping Toyota dispel fears about the long-term reliability of its hybrid powertrains."
But import fanboys keep telling me that long-term is 300K miles not 150K. So, I don't get it (how is this long-term to them?).
Since Japan corners the market on Hybrid parts and batteries, it makes it easier to give a longer warranty on JUST THOSE PARTS.
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