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Editor's Note: Over the next two weeks, SPEEDTV.com will countdown 10 of the best cars of 2006/07. This is an admittedly subjective list, geared to real-world enjoyment and functionality, the idea being that any vehicle that qualifies for the list ought to make you smile every time you get behind the wheel.
CATEGORY NO. 7: Family sedan
THE WINNER: Toyota Camry
Just because a car isn't a high-performance or sports car is no excuse for it to be boring or less than competent. All cars, regardless of performance capabilities, ought to excel at the act of being a car. A case in point is the all-new 2007 Toyota Camry, the latest generation of the automaker's standard bearer.
The Camry, while not especially sporty in most of its eight available models, excels in almost every conceivable category: It has flawless build quality that rivals its upscale cousins in Toyota's Lexus division. It's safe. It's roomy. It's well-equipped. It delivers reliability that's as exceptional as its resale value and its practicality. And it's one car that will never keep you up at night wondering if you bought smart. Duoh! It's a Camry. Of course, you bought smart.
All told, you can get a Camry sedan with a choice of three engines - 2.4-liter, 158-horsepower four-cylinder; 2.4-liter, 147-horse, four-cylinder hybrid; or the saucy one in the bunch, a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6. Trim levels range from the bargain-basement CE, which starts at a way-low list price of $18,270, on up through the LE, SE and the luxurious XLE, which costs a still-reasonable $27,270. Thus, there's a Camry for most every pocketbook.
Our tester was a four-cylinder Camry LE, which had among its myriad standard features a velvety-smooth five-speed automatic transmission; four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes; front and rear side-curtain airbags; air conditioning; power steering, brakes, windows, door locks, mirrors and driver's seat; remote keyless entry; cruise control
Even heavily optioned with alloy wheels, a killer $1,000 JBL audio system; moonroof and vehicle stability control with traction control, our test Camry carried a very modest list price of $24,135. That's real value in my book.
On the road, the Camry is capable and comfortable. The interior is roomy front and back, the ergonomics flawless, just as they are in virtually every Toyota or Lexus automobile. While the four-cylinder's acceleration was leisurely, it had more than adequate passing power in every circumstance.
And what it lacked in power, it more than made up for in fuel mileage, an excellent 24 miles per gallon in the city and 33 on the highway, great numbers for a full-sized family sedan.
If you want a sportier Camry, go for the SE model, which comes with firmer suspension and rides lower than the other models, and grab the potent V-6 motor while you're at it.
The bottom line here is that the Camry isn't the most soul-stirring sedan on the planet, but it has no discernable vices, delivers in every key area of quality and efficiency and comes in enough different varieties that it appeals to a whole host of sensibilities. Add it up and it's good enough for No. 7 on our list.
SPEC SHEET: Toyota Camry LE
TYPE: Family sedan
SEATING CAPACITY: five
ENGINE: 2.4-liter four cylinder
HORSEPOWER: 158
TORQUE: 161 foot-pounds
GEARBOX: Five-speed automatic
ZERO TO 60 MPH: 9 seconds
EPA FUEL MILEAGE: 24 city/33 highway
BASE PRICE/AS-TESTED: $20,500/$24,135
Click here to see the car that was picked for the Entry-level Sports Sedan category!
Click here to see the car that was picked for the Traditional Muscle Car category!
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