Toyota Camry 2001 test drive - 2004 sedan

Japanese House"

The new Toyota Camry captivates with comfort and price.
 
Perhaps the reason for this was a snowstorm and cold, but, having passed only the first few kilometers, I caught myself on the feeling that I was extremely warm and comfortable in the new Camry. Probably, if the salon was covered with leather, and such modifications, of course, are, I would feel like in the office. But the soft velor upholstery of a soothing tone was associated with a home interior. Therefore, I dubbed Camry to myself with a Japanese house. On wheels, of course.
 
What is especially pleasant, in this business class car, the driver is as if surrounded by care, all controls are at hand, there is no need to stretch for anything. The front seats are equipped with an electric drive and, coupled with a steering column adjustable in height, allow you to take a comfortable position. True, the seat does not remember the installation. This option is in more expensive versions with a 6-cylinder engine, although the test car had a standard set of climate control, a full electric package, rain sensor, an excellent radio tape recorder with a compact drive player, 4 pillows of safety. And this is not a complete list of equipment.
 
A car for a European
 
Camry is the largest Toyota model supplied. By the way, more solid models are also available to the Japanese, but Europeans are forced to be content with this model. Although the word is content with the new Camry is perhaps unacceptable.
 
The appearance of the novelty is made in the company's corporate identity - everything is round -oval, there are no sharp corners, unless the slanting and large front headlights are slightly pointed. Let you not call the design to outstanding, but it does not cause rejection. This approach - to please everyone - is especially understandable, given that the model is intended for different markets and is produced at factories in the USA, Canada, Australia and, of course, Japan. It is Japanese cars that are delivered to Russia.
 
The only thing that can upset is the difficulty in parking backwards. Because the trunk lid and a highly tilted rear window make the stern almost invisible.
 
Moreover, opening the door and looking back, the driver will still not see the back. However, this is not the greatest sin, and there are many similar cars in the market. In general, in comparison with the previous model under the same name, Camry increased in length by 50 mm, in width - by 10 mm and in height - by 40 mm. This was not slow to affect comfort. On the back sofa, three people can work without problems and comfort. Moreover, everyone will have enough space for the legs. From my point of view, the AI \u200b\u200btest was taken by the most European modification with a 4-cylinder engine of 2.4 liters and a mechanical 5-speed gearbox. My colleagues note that more expensive versions have too soft suspension. Don't know. She has a car that got to the test just right. Toyota engineers seem to have found a middle ground between comfort and sports. The bumps of our roads are not annoyed by either the driver or passengers. At the same time, with a quick passage of turns, the rolls are minimized. Although Camry still has a measured and calm ride, her dynamic qualities, frankly, pleasantly surprised me.
 
It was a pity that on the first day of the test, snowfall flew to Moscow, and summer tires stood on cast discs. Not even a very strong press on the gas pedal forced the leading (front) wheels to slip. But on the second day, almost on dry asphalt, I paid tribute to Camry. In any gear and at any speed, a sharp press on the gas pedal led to tangible acceleration. Clear steering, excellent brakes and a short stroke of the gearbox lever allowed to perfectly control the car.
 
Market opportunities
 
In the segment of business class cars in the Russian market, it is quite cramped. Here, both the Japanese Nissan Maxima, and products from Germany-Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 series, and other cars are very close in parameters. Therefore, a lot depends on the price policy. And the company understand this perfectly. Therefore, the car on which I drove is worth $ 27,900. Very, very moderate price for a car of this class. A car with the same engine and automatic gearbox is more expensive than $ 1,200. The 3-liter V6 immediately increases the cost of Camry to 36,900 dollars. True, the most powerful version is equipped accordingly. Leather salon and 4 -speed automatic transmission - standard equipment.
 
Toyota Camry is provided with a guarantee of 3 years or 70 thousand kilometers. The service will have to visit every 10 thousand kilometers.
 
Vasily Starikov
  
 

A source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 3 (3), 2001]