Simply put, the 2009 Toyota Camry fulfills the role of American family car better than any other make on the road. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be the best-selling midsize car in the United States. Get out the clipboard and we’ll give the Camry value proposition a thorough analysis.
The 2009 Toyota Camry is a four-door, front-drive sedan offered in four progressively more luxurious trims (Camry, LE, SE, & XLE) and in a fuel-sipping hybrid version. Within this lineup is a Camry variant for virtually every automotive need and driving style. Overall, the Camry provides precisely what Americans want in a midsize sedan. Camry has proven to be among the most reliable cars on the road. Its performance, comfort and quality combine to create a value that’s hard to beat, especially at a starting price of just $19,145 (MSRP).
The highly-regarded four-cylinder trims provide good acceleration, the V6 trims also get good marks from reviewers and the SE trim delivers a sportier Camry enthusiasts will appreciate. The Camry also gets good marks for its economy, safety features and ease of handling and for retaining its value well.
Camry offers both fuel efficiency and performance. The standard four-cylinder engine delivers as much as 31 mpg on the highway. Drivers who require more power can opt for a V6 engine, available on the LE, SE and XLE trims. The hybrid comes equipped with the four-cylinder gas engine, as well as an electric motor.
A 2.4-liter, double-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing is the standard engine on all Camrys. It generates 158 hp and 161 lb/ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine works with either a five-speed manual overdrive transmission or an optional five-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive transmission. In addition to its 31 mpg highway rating, the four-cylinder engine achieves a fuel economy rating of 21 mpg city and runs on Regular Unleaded gasoline.
The 3.5-liter, double-overhead cam V6 available on LE, SE and XLE trims delivers 268 hp and 248 lb/ft of torque at 4,700 rpm. The V6 teams up with a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. This transmission features a sequential mode that enables drivers to shift manually when desired. Fuel economy with the V6 is 19 mpg in city driving and 28 mpg on the highway.
The Camry Hybrid uses a gasoline-fueled engine, a powerful electric motor and a specially designed transmission in a system known as the Hybrid Synergy Drive. It produces 187 hp overall and achieves mileage of 33 mpg city/34 mpg highway. The hybrid is equipped with an ECO mode that limits energy consumption by the car's climate control system when you are bent on getting the best possible fuel economy.
The Camry offers the smooth, quiet ride that American drivers have preferred. It makes for comfortable commuting and restful road trips with the family. The compliant ride along with Camry’s responsive and accurate steering have established the standard by which family cars are judged.
All Camrys feature a four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. They all ride on 16-inch wheels with the exception of the sportier SE trim, which rides on six-spoke, 17-inch wheels. The SE also features a more performance-oriented suspension with underbody stabilizing braces and firmer springs and shock absorbers for flatter cornering. The Camry SE suspension places the frame 0.4 of an inch closer to the ground than the other Camry trims making the car feel more like a sport sedan.
Just like its performance, the Camry's interior is tailored to American tastes. It is ergonomically designed, comfortable and made from quality materials. It’s roomy, even for the tallest drivers, and has good legroom for the backseaters, even when the front seats are pushed back. Families like the numerous storage spaces and right-sized cupholders in the Camry cabin. The trunk holds a substantial 15 cubic feet of cargo. Owners feel they get good value from a substantial list of standard features including power windows and door locks, air conditioning with micro dust and pollen filter, cruise control and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel.
All trims except the entry-level Camry come equipped with remote keyless entry and a power-adjustable driver's seat. The XLE comes with such standard features as a power tilt/slide moonroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a multi-function display, wood grain-style interior trim, a power-adjustable passenger’s seat, dual-zone climate control and a special seat fabric called Fraichir, which Toyota notes is designed to be gentle on the skin. The SE comes with snazzy Blue Optitron sport meters as standard equipment.
For entertainment, the entry-level Camry, SE and LE trims come equipped with a six-speaker, 160-watt digital AM/FM audio system with a CD player and an MP3 input jack. For the XLE, Toyota upgrades the audio system to a JBL eight-speaker, AM/FM unit with a six-disc in-dash CD changer, satellite radio and Bluetooth for wireless phone conversations. Toyota offers a voice-activated DVD navigation system as an option.
Standard features for the Hybrid include the Optitron gauges and a multi-information display that provides details about the hybrid system. Owners quickly adjust to “driving the E-meter” to chip in with stretching a gallon of gas. Other standard features include keyless entry, cruise control, power windows and door locks and dual-zone climate control with an electric compressor.
The Camry received five stars (the highest score possible) in front- and side-impact testing conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Standard safety features for all trims include dual-stage advanced front airbags, side-curtain airbags, a driver's knee airbag and antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution. Toyota offers vehicle stability control with traction control as an option on all trims.
Many owners feel the 2009 Toyota Camry compares favorably to the luxury cars carrying Toyota’s upscale Lexus brand. Virtually every Camry owner rates the car as a great value with many noting the importance of Camry’s excellent resale prices. Don’t take our word for it. Come see Camry for yourself and bring your clipboard!
