DriveTech

2007 Toyota Camry XLE

Would your buying decision be swayed by the fact that the car you're looking at has been the number one seller for the last four years and number one in eight out of the last nine years in its segment? I would think so, I know the Camry wasn't all that exciting to the eye but in 2007 Toyota has corrected that with better styling upgraded interior treatments but still keeping the tradition of the Camry, solid transportation with all the reliability you could ask for. Camry was first introduced in 1983 and there are a lot of them still on the road and they make a great first new car purchase, but lets talk about the all newly designed Camry.
The test vehicle I picked up from Toyota of Escondido was the XLE model with the four cylinder engine. It is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with dual overhead camshafts, 16-vlaves and VVT-i (Variable Valve intelligence) and fuel injection, backed by a 5-speed ECT-i (Electronically Controlled intelligence) automatic transmission that will get you a welcomed 24 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon on the open road depending on your right foot. The reason I mention your right foot it that this is not your ordinary 4-cylinder, with all of Toyota's technology they have made this little four banger a real performer, sure you can opt for the 3.5-liter 268-horsepowered V6 if you really need to get to freeway speeds that quickly but I recommend you test drive both then decide and the fuel mileage between the four cylinder and the V6 are pretty close. Oh and if you are a stick-shift kind of person you can get a nice little five speed but only in the four cylinder models.
The exterior of the 2007 Camry is beautiful with a flowing lines from front to rear that gives it a Lexus look, integrated fog lamps up front, Halogen headlights that come equipped with automatic on/off features, daytime running lights standard for added safety, power heated outside power mirrors that are color coded to the exterior paint of your Camry and in this case we are talking Desert Sand and to sport-up the Camry a little, a chrome exhaust tip.
Moving inside I was very pleased with the blonde wood treatment that accented the optional leather skins on the seats, very attractive. Both driver and passenger come with power adjustments and a nice sliding center armrest that opens only when slid into the back position to give you ample storage and a 12-volt receptacle, in front of the armrest you get a storage area with a lid and in front and to the right side of the shifter you get two cup holders also with a closing lid which gives the center console that clean elegant look when all are closed. The XLE came standard with dual zone climate controls with a pollen filter rear vents for the passengers in the rear and a Plasmacluster Ionizor, above the climate control system you will find a JBL Digital AM/FM/MP3 6-disc in dash CD changer with Bluetooth and all of this surrounded by eight speakers all cranking out 440 watts, you also get your choice of XM or Sirius radio. Sitting behind the tilt/telescoping steering wheel you will also get audio, climate, phone and information buttons all on the wheel. The gauges are down very nicely and are well illuminated in the evenings, you also get a variable wipers, self dimming rear view mirror with a compass and what I found to be just a little odd a manual rear window shade which means unless someone is in the back seat you need to pull over to hang it up (I would have paid for the option to make it electrically operated). The back seat has the ability to recline if needed and it is very comfortable as well as supportive and there is a nice center console with cup holders for two and a small door in the back to extend items that are to long for an already good size trunk. Safety is all around you, front air bags, side air bags for the two up front, front and rear curtain airbags, and a great one, driver's knee airbag, all the headrests adjust for up to five occupants crumple zones, beams in the doors all to keep you and yours safe as possible. All of the above will cost your around $27,000 plus tax and license, worth looking at!
I'm a big fan of Toyota and you should take a ride over to the newly remodeled Toyota of Escondido on the corner of Highway 78 and Broadway and take a new 07 Camry for a spin or at least stop by a dealer near you, I don't think you will be disappointed!

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