In essence, what you should expect from the Camry is comfort and convenience, for which the model is already known. But this time, Toyota has also given it a little bit of spice in terms of the drive character; getting rid of the soft, boring ride and replacing it with some athletic ability.
The top-of-the-range version comes with a 2.4 litre VVT-i engine capable of producing 167 horsepower and 224Nm of torque. For those who want a little more fuel efficiency and perhaps don’t need as many features in the car, then the 2.0 litre VVT-i engine, with 147 horsepower and 190Nm of torque, should do just fine.

The 2.4-litre engine is mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox, with a manual shift mode, while the 2.0-litre motor, which sounds a bit more sporty when revved up compared to the larger engine, comes with the usual four-speed auto.
Although it feels sluggish when taking off from rest, the Camry 2.4 manages to maintain a decent level of acceleration from the lower midrange thanks to the closer gear ratios. In top gear there is also enough grunt for the car to overtake on the highways, resulting in a highly relaxed motoring style.
The 2.0-litre engine, on the other hand, also suffers from sluggish take-off, but then invites you to push it a little bit more – from the midrange the engine becomes throaty and delivers the sort of sound you’d associate with a sports saloon. Bearing in mind that this is only a 2.0-litre in a pretty big car and mated to a four-speed auto, one is tempted to give the bigger applause to the smaller engine.
As mentioned, Toyota has decided to put in some excitement into driving the new Camry resulting in a more solid suspension and steering system.
Although the steering is a little slow and vague at low speeds, once it reaches cruising mode things get better. We took the car for a test drive between Bangkok and Koh Chang and it handled surprisingly well along the country roads and the sharp corners on the island. On the highways the car stood up well against cross winds and although you can’t say the ride is as plush as the old model, it sure is more convincing in terms of all-round performance.
The Camry hugs on to corners in a way a matured car should, allowing you to glide through smoothly, while the steering offers fairly good accuracy, although the resistance on the steering feels artificial.
ABS-governed disc brakes, 16-inch in the front, 15-inch in the rear, with Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution come as standard across the range, which raises the question: shouldn’t the brakes be upgraded for more power from the 2.4-litre engine?
Toyota, as well as other Japanese auto-makers including arch rival Honda, usually offer no brake upgrade for more powerful versions in the same model range. I didn’t raise the subject, but the reply would surely be that the 2.0’s brakes are overpowered! Perhaps it’s time to follow the Germans in this respect – that is, the size of their brake discs (or braking performance) should become larger (or better) as the engine gets more powerful.
I’m just waiting for the day when I drive a new Toyota and say “Wow, great brakes!”
From the outside, the Camry looks good. The unique and sleek rear window is there and although the hips remind you of the Honda Accord, my points go to the Camry. Just replace the “T” on the front grille with an “L” and you instantly get a new Lexus model.
The Camry boasts a huge cabin, with lots of room, especially in the back seat. Even with a six-footer up front, there is still plenty of legroom for another six-footer at the rear.
With the top V version, you get everything that makes it a great executive car, including rear air vents (still waiting for them to be located on the b-pillar like the European models), ashtrays on each rear door (mandatory for Japanese executives) and special control buttons for the front passenger seat, which can be controlled by the rear passenger (this allows the rear passenger to conveniently increase legroom further).
There’s also a DVD player for the 2.4 V, although it is positioned on the centre console and does not work when the car is in motion (for safety reasons). Perhaps if the screen were moved out of the driver’s sight (for example between the front seats or on the ceiling), then I would see some use to it.
With the present set-up, you need to park the car and engage the parking brake in order to watch the video.
Then there’s the automatic climate control system with “Plasmacluster”, which makes it sound like a home air-conditioning unit. Well, this turned out okay, helping to get rid of cigarette stench pretty well (another boon for the Japanese executives).
Only the front seats come with cooling fans with three speeds (now Japanese executives won’t be happy about this), and although there’s a navigation system for the top model, we didn’t get to try it out. I hope it’s better than in the previous model, which needed five minutes to get started and means the first response from the navigator would always be “find a safe place to make a u-turn” or “where the hell you think you’re going?”
The features list in the Camry keeps on going. The headlights turn on and off automatically, have automatic height adjustment and turn along with the steering wheel to offer better visibility. There’s also a Smart Entry system (with push start button) as well as dual front airbags, side airbags, whiplash injury lessening system, five seatbelts, traction control and Vehicle Stability Control.
I’m not a designer but there’s something I can’t understand about carmakers – why do they love to put leather, aluminium and wood together?
Leather and wood is a proven combination, and if you want a modern look, replacing the wood with aluminium will do the job properly. But putting the three together is just suicide – it is a pity because the interior design of the Camry is great to start with.
I wish car designers would just look at the mobile-phone designs and see where the world is heading these days.
The new Camry comes with loads of features, but there’s also a price to pay (by the way, navigation costs an additional Bt110,000).
Toyota knows this, so there are three 2.4 litre versions to choose from as well as the 2.0G, which can save as much as Bt450,000 compared to the top 2.4V with DVD and navigation.

Verdict? The new Camry is way above the model it replaces and stands among the top contenders in the mid-sized sedan category. Toyota had a point when it said it expects the Camry, with the comprehensive package offered, to steal a good number of customers from the European powerhouses.

Short drive with TOYOTA CAMRY 2.0G 2.0 Goodness An entry-level Japanese executive car now comes with more goodies than mid-level - strange, but true By WIWAT CHANG (Source: Bangkok Post Motoring >> Friday September 29, 2006) - WHAT'S NEW? : This is the 2.0-litre version of the all-new fourth generation Camry launched in Thailand last month. The evolution is rather subtle in every way except for the styling which seems to have gained some Lexusness which should be a good thing too when the corporate identity is further carried to other models in the Toyota empire. - WHAT'S COOL? DYNAMICS The good news is that it drives less like a barge and more like a boat. It is more stable and precise though corners than before, but it is by no means a driver's car (more a chauffeur-driven one). For the driver and passengers alike, the ride is generally comfortable and relaxing. The 2.0 engine is brought over from the previous model, but with the slightest of tweaking (3hp more). It's a tad more refined than before and still manages to move its big heavy body with sufficient pace around town. The car is 115kg heavier than before, so how Toyota managed that without altering gear and final drive ratios nor wheel diameter is a mystery. EQUIPMENT AND COMFORT It is strange that the 2.0G carries more usable goodies than the 2.4G - we'd assume the "G" badge would account for a certain trim level, but not in this case. The 2.0G has at least five features that are better than the 2.4G: wooden and leather steering wheel, cruise control, Bluetooth phone preparation, automatic windshield wipers and side (thorax) airbags. Of course, there is a trade-off - read in "What are not?" below. All seats are in leather and both front ones are electrically adjustable. Dual-zone climate control is a first for an entry-level edition in this car class, so are immobiliser, six-CD changer and automatic-on headlights. Fit and finish are pretty good and the centre console design is even more tidy than the one in a Lexus IS250. - WHAT'S NOT? DYNAMICS Despite being less of a barge to drive than the previous Camry, it is still not as involving to drive as either the Honda Accord nor the Nissan Teana. Occasional and less fussy drivers who prefer to use the car merely as transport or as a staging area for stressful business meetings would find it relaxing to drive. The steering is not that light around town, but becomes too light at highway speeds - although you can get used to this in no time. The relatively small engine still struggles to move the 1.53-ton car on the highway but less of a problem in town. Toyota suggests using 95 octane petrol for its 2.0 version, unlike the 2.4 that is happy with cheaper 91 octane. Gear-shifts require a bit of patience and learning as the gearbox does not shift up or down as smoothly as we would like. Brakes are still quite mushy, but retard speed quite effective. EQUIPMENT AND COMFORT What's with the unlocking of all doors every time you engage the gear into park? - it's like a car-jacking invitation. This feature exists in all versions, though, not just the 2.0. The centre console illumination is somewhat too bright affecting your night vision and there's dimmer there. Seriously, the 2.0G has no shortage of equipment for a car in this class and at this price. Do you really need keyless entry, seat memory, parking sensors, automatic dimming rear-view mirror, rear sun blinds, xenon headlights, DVD-player and cooling seats that freeze your balls off? If you do, that's at least another B300,000 to cough up for the 2.4V. For a car with such a long wheelbase (2,775mm) the resultant rear passenger legroom is not that great and the backrests do not recline at all. The driver's seat has mediocre snugness and the rear cushions could be taller. Sound proofing could be better, as we found more noise intrusion through the windows than the Teana, but it definitely has less tyre noise than the Accord. - BUY OR BYE? ´The 2.0G is the best buy Camry and arguably the best value mid-size Japanese saloon available. That is, if you can live without electronic stability control, more sufficient passing power of the 2.4 - you can, right? Strange but true that this entry-level Camry can satisfy both fleet customers and city dwelling individuals alike.

2.0 is brought over from previous model but with 3hp more.   Bridgestone tyres on 16-inch alloys are decent.   There's nothing entry-level about the interior _ note the abundance of wood trim.     Dual zone climate control the same as in the 2.4.   Rear comes with standard air-conditioning.

Even more luxury can be yours for only 129 € extra per week. The Toyota Camry 2.4 V

Do you want European ultimate driving, then not much is better than BMW limousine range both in terms of safety and ride quality. The BMW 520d limousine can be yours for the first 4 year with chauffeur for 890 € per week. Do you want the ultimate limousine from BMW? The Long wheelbase BMW 730Li can be yours for the first 4 year for 1600 € per week. You also have your free car included in this price, and you now have two drivers available to arrange for you business as you see fit.