Test Drive: 2012 Toyota Camry XLE V6

2012 Toyota Camry XLE V6. Click image to enlarge

While the new Camry is about the same size as the previous model and has the same wheelbase, the cabin is more spacious due to a clever redesign. For example, the gas pedal and front seats were moved forward and the rear seat was moved backward to create more rear legroom. As well, “leaner” door, pillar, and headliner trim add more interior width and height. Front and rear headroom and legroom is generous and the front footwells are wide.

As you can see from the photo, the top-of-the-line XLE has a very attractive cabin with soft-touch materials, a combination of dark and light colours with added wood and aluminum trim, and a large 7-inch touchscreen in the centre dash. Fabric or leather seats are offered in both the four- and six-cylinder XLE models and heated front seats are standard.

In the XLE, the driver’s seat has power adjustments for height, recline and lumbar and the front passenger seat also has power height and recline functions, but no power lumbar adjuster. The driver’s seat is comfortable and is large enough for bigger frames and there’s a raised, padded centre armrest. A tilting/telescoping steering wheel is standard.

The XLE V6’s premium JBL audio system features a CD/MP3/WMA player, eight speakers, integrated satellite radio, wireless Bluetooth audio from your cell phone or Bluetooth device, and voice-activated audio functions. Basic telephone and audio controls are also found on the steering wheel. The centre touchscreen not only displays navigation functions such as the real-time GPS map and destination input, but also includes audio displays for different media, Bluetooth phone calling (now with a phone book transfer function), and trip information such as average fuel consumption, average speed, elapsed time, and cruising range. It also acts as a backup screen for the rear camera when the transmission is placed in reverse.

At the bottom of the centre stack is a spacious covered storage area with USB and auxiliary connections for iPhones and music players and a 12-volt charger; between the front seats is a small covered bin and behind that a raised, padded armrest underneath which is a large storage box containing another 12-volt power outlet. There’s also a pull-down coin tray near the driver’s door, large door pockets, and a passenger side glovebox.

My only criticism of the new interior is that while most of the controls are backlit at night, the power door locks and power mirrors are not illuminated. And personally, I wouldn’t choose the ivory-coloured leather seats as they are bound to become soiled over time. Grey is the only other choice in the XLE.

All 2012 Camrys come with ten airbags including a new front passenger-side knee airbag and rear-seat side airbags. In recent crash tests, the 2012 Camry received the top rating of five stars from the NHTSA, and is rated a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. As well, all Camrys feature standard stability control, traction control, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist for panic stops, and a brake override system that prevents the throttle from overriding the brakes.

The Camry’s fully lined 436-litre trunk is bigger than the Accord’s and Altima’s but not as spacious as the Sonata’s and Mazda6’s. It includes split-folding rear seatbacks that can be released from inside the trunk.

2012 Camrys range in price from $23,700 for the LE four-cylinder to $33,700 for the top-of-the-line XLE V6. The Camry Hybrid LE starts at $26,990. If you choose to lease a new Camry, it’s worth knowing that it was recently awarded a Canadian Residual Value Award in the mid-size car category, meaning that is the mid-size car most likely to retain the highest percentage of its original price at the end of a conventional lease. It’s also a good thing if you plan to trade it in.