Toyota Camry test drive since 2009 sedan

Toyota Camry V6 Test drive: invitation to Lexus

Let Toyota Camry is not new, but holding it in my hands was interesting. Indeed, recently, Camry has become very, very popular in Russia. This was facilitated by the traditional quality of Toyota in combination with a low price due to Russian assembly.
The test drive got a top set with a V6 engine with a volume of 3.5 liters and a sectral automatic transmission-6. Such cars on our streets come across a little sisters with more modest nurses. But we will begin, as usual, with appearance.
Camry fully refers to the advertising slogan our car outside looks smaller than from the inside. In many ways, this is facilitated by short overhangs of both front and rear. Small sizes give a decrease in aerodynamic resistance, which contributes to the economy of fuel (it deserves separate words), at the same time, the salon is quite spacious.
The branded grocery of the hood along the contour of the emblem is less pronounced than that of the Corolla model. It clearly benefited Camry. The back with separate lanterns makes the car similar to the more expensive Lexus brand models. Oxygular gaps on the sidewalls and doors do not reach look like a grotesque. In general, the exterior of Camry is naturally pleasant, not for those who scream with delight, looking at the Chinese -like forms of cars of some leading manufacturers.
The interior is made soundly. The plastic of the salon looks high -quality, and the ear did not fix any creaking, tapping and crackling, even in those sections of Russian roads that can be called very conditionally.
But the color scheme of the salon raised a couple of questions. Firstly, the tree decoration looks pretty cheap too bright. Secondly (and this is much more striking), with a dark gray plastic and skin and bright brown inserts and lids of the salon hatches, the light-blue (?!) Panel of the audio system and a climate control control panel and climate control. Perhaps in a light salon it looks more organic, but against the background of dark upholstery, bluish simply cuts the eye. However, the panel copes well with the control functions, in which the switches on the steering wheel hub help it.
A somewhat strangely located switches of heating of the seats are located and the cigarette lighter in position P is overlapped by the automatic transmission handle. So littering or warming up seats in the parking lot will not be too convenient. It was somewhat surprised that the heating of the seats does not have power gradations. It can either turn it on or turn it off that it looks somehow unsolvable for a business class car.
The review forward and down is good. Side rear -view mirrors give a rather strong distortion of distance, but this is a matter of habit. The headrests spoil the brown back, if no one is sitting from behind, then it is better to lower them all the way.
 
Review through the salon mirror has one feature. The rear window can be closed with a mesh curtain, which does not reach the side wraps of glass. As a result, lateral vision from time to time perceives an unnecessary section of glass as an element of the body from where the car of white car came on the tail. But perhaps the eye also gets used to this, too.
The driver's seat is comfortable. It has a developed (in moderation) side support, and a complete set of electrical regulations, including a lumbar back. But the front passenger seat does not have such a backwater that makes long trips on it not too comfortable.
The length of the space for the rear passengers seems to be enough. However, the level of comfort (again, on long trips) for the average passenger is in doubt. Its place looks somehow unconvincing - it has a narrow back section, which noticeably protrudes forward. However, it is unlikely that many hours of trips are a five -season standard for Camry.
For a business class car, it would be natural to bring to the rear seats the control of the audio system and climate control. However, this is not only passengers can only regulate the final shutters and air ducts.
Governing bodies ergonomic. The position of the steering wheel changed only out of interest - with my average growth, it did not limit the overview of the dashboard. The panel itself is competently arranged and read well. The moved armrest allows you to conveniently attach the right hand. It was pleased that the gas and brake pedals are at the same level for some reason it does not occur too often, although the step increases the fatigue of the right leg and gives an additional time delay during braking.
But the parking brake caused some bewilderment. The fact that he is controlled by a pedal under his left leg is a plus: this leg is still not busy, and the space between the front seats has become much less clutter. But why does it work only in combination with parking automatic transmission? An attempt with a long -term simplet at a traffic light or in a traffic jam to rest with the right leg failed when the camry is turned on, the Camry continues to move forward. You have to use the right hand and switch the gearbox. But on some other cars, the parking brake prevents toplament, even if the box is in Drive mode, which is much more convenient.
The steering is frankly massive. Noticeable backlash are convenient for the middle driver in the city, but they give a not too good feeling on the business class sedan on a long suburban trip. Especially when it comes to a version with V6 engine. Its two hundred seventy -seven mares provide (according to passport) speed up to 230 km/h. I accelerated to one hundred and seventy, but to drive the speedometer arrow somehow there was no desire. It is possible that everything looks different in German autobahns. However, on domestic roads (which cause musical associations with only two waltzes, Amur waves and on the hills of Manchuria) Camry steering is clearly not enough to move at high speeds. However, traffic rules prohibit such speeds, so this can not be discussed.
Camry acceleration and braking performs very stable. This is not surprisingly equipped in full: the anti -lock brake system (ABS), the system of distribution of brake force (EBD), an emergency braking amplifier (fortunately, it has not been able to experience it in real conditions), the terminal stability system (VSC) with an anti -industrial system, and Also, the engine control system and the distribution of brake efforts. I note that the target stability system here is non -closed.
The Camry suspension left a double impression. On the one hand, there are no complaints about its mechanical parameters. It easily swallows noticeable irregularities in the road, steadily holds the car in a bend and extinguishes high -frequency vibrations well. On the other hand, the suspension is quite loud. It seems that it is the main source of noise in motion. However, this is characteristic of most cars with a Russified suspension. In addition, it is possible that the Michelin rubber wheels made excellent clutch indicators, but with softness and, accordingly, soundless, it does not differ (concession for the sake of increased advance). On our roads, our ears have to pay for this.
 
A six -speed checkpoint on the machine gives not too good dynamics even with such a powerful engine. But in the sectral mode, the Camry V6 jumps from the place and accelerates in the movement very, very briskly. More than once I had to regret that this version is visually not different from the less powerful Emblem V6 will be small, and it is located in a not too noticeable place. This gives rise to many drivers (especially pseudo -sports cars) the desire to vigorously go around a solid sedan and surprise when this businessman is able to move unexpectedly quickly.
 
The transition from automatic to the manual mode of the checkpoint raised the question: why is the box, regardless of the movement mode, while switching rises to the 4th gear? It would probably be more convenient (and safe) if the checkpoint remained on the current step. And it turns out that at a traffic light, after the transition to a sequate, you have to pull the handle three times on yourself to switch to the first gear.
The economy of the engine (it uses improved technology for control of the Dual VVT-I gas distribution phases in combination with automatic transmission-6 deserves separate words. Suffice it to say that the Camry V6 turned out to be the only car (of course, with a gasoline engine), on which I drove on the same tank from Pskov to Moscow (745 km). At the same time, the plot to Istra was about eight hours (that is, the speed mode of movement was clearly far from the most economical). But the movement from Istra to Moscow took more than three hours (repair of roads and several accidents that collected multi -kilometer tails), which also did not contribute to fuel saving. But even under such conditions, gasoline consumption was surprisingly small.
It is felt that the efficiency of fuel excited the developers of the ligament of the engine + box much more than the dynamics. Out of curiosity, I recorded (naturally, approximately) the ratio of speed and engine speed is quite curious. For movement at a speed of 90 km/h, the engine must be issued 1700 rpm. Further (with an interval of 10 km/h) it turned out like this: 100 1800, 110 1950, 120 2250, 130 2300, 140 3150. Then the box goes to the 6th gear, and the revolutions fall: 150 2700, 160 2800, 170 3000.
 
Naturally, with such ratios, speed / turnover, fuel costs will be small. After all, the V6 can be promoted to 6000 rpm. However, the car got new (at the time of the start of the test drive was only 88 km), the period of the run-in in the operating manual was registered, so I tried not to press the gas pedal too much.
Let's summarize. Toyota Camry Mass Business Circus. The cheapest version costs 1040000 rubles. (Hereinafter, the data for May 19, 2009). In the suite configuration, you need to pay ~ 1463,000 rubles is about 45.3 thousand dollars. I note that we are talking about cars produced in Japan of the Russian assembly now, dealers do not have it, have ended. However, in Toyota, the motor reported that in June, sales of the updated version (only Russian production) will begin in June. The price for it, respectively, will be different. However, for prices we need to thank our native government in other markets, this car costs one and a half, or even half as much.
With the V6 engine, Camry demonstrates good dynamics and excellent fuel efficiency. To the question about the relatively weak staffing of the top versions of Camry there is a simple answer. Toyota has a premium brand (which distinguishes a group of companies from most competitors). Therefore, those who are not satisfied with the level of Camry equipment can buy Lexus.
The business car club thanks Toyota Motor for the car presented on the test drive.
 

Source: Business car club