The third generation Camry's valedictory year has been its most honored. It has received accolades in a flurry and although its replacement is already in and pressing for attention, the older car is still drawing them by the thousands. Much has been said and written about this epitome of automotive engineering. Consumer Reports ranked it the best mid-size sedan. Automobile magazine called it, "The Best Car built in America". It was imitated, not very flatteringly, by Ford when they set out to make the Taurus. Its fiercest rival, the Honda Accord, has been deemed, by experts to be second best. For someone who started life unassumingly and with little fanfare, it is ironic that its share of fame, fortune and glory, all of which were won with great integrity, have come a little belatedly

At the heart of it all is an exquisite V6, which ranks along with the Maxima's as the finest six-cylinder powerplant in existence. With an aluminum block, heads, and two dozen valves, it is clearly an advanced piece of engineering--bound to remain in vogue well into the next century. High tech. engineering is frequently associated with more visits to the friendly dealer. While that may hold true for the rest of the world, Toyota has a legendary record with the Camry. I dare say if you had the audacity to shove your mother under the hood, you would still be groping for a more reliable prime mover.

So often delightful powerplants are mated to inept automatics; the Accord's springs to mind. I take my hat off to the wizadry of Toyota's engineers for creating one of the most blissful engine- transmission marriages this engineer has come across. While the 3.0 V6 unfurls what is, by the standards of the day, a fairly ordinary188 bhp and 203 lb. ft. of torque, the four-speed electronically controlled transmission transmission makes every pony appear on steroids, thereby producing a driving experience unparalleled in its class. Which brings me to its most alluring quality: driving the Camry might never be confused with driving an exotic auto but, it is as ethereal an encounter as you can hope to have. A few days behind its wheel and you can, as they say, never go back. It does so many things right and with so little fuss, you start thinking the thing was alive. It's weird, really--the way it morphs to your driving vagaries. I mean, one second you are beetling along counting the pickets on passing fences, and the next, for a reason no greater than the desire to familiarize yourself with the county's courthouse, you prod the gas pedal, forgetting perhaps the sneaky disposition of the automobile. I mean really sneaky. At most speeds in the legal spectrum, it is barely louder than the $10 Rolex you bought in Chinatown. Inputs from the throttle are met with the inimitable oriental compliance--and the honeyed tones--that only all-aluminium powerplants can muster. The rise and fall of the beautiful, orange tacho needle is the only tangible proof of upshifts and downshifts. To some, the Camry's desire to sequester might be infuriating. But after an impossible day at your place of labor, I guarantee its reticence will be emollient. A friend gifted that she is with some eloquence, compared the hushed, stepless power delivery to being pulled by a velvet rope.

There is little doubt that it is an addictive vehicle. But like all good addictions, your senses are clouded surreptitiously. And once held hostage, it's difficult to isolate a virtue and claim, "There. That's what's so smashing about the thing." Perhaps it's the styling; its svelte curves are no doubt lost on the proletariat who, not strangely enough, veer towards unsubtle forms of expression such as the Pontiac Grand Am and the Taurus by Ford. Noted auto journalists have tagged the design "bland". A lot they know. "Pedigreed" is more like it, although the term is rarely associated with automobiles in this price range, what with the melange of mongrels that fill the segment to the gills. The Camry stands reasonably apart, owing to its bloodlines that stretch right up to the mighty LS 400. Apart from the flared front flanks and the tapering rear ones, the Camry's roof and belt line is a scaled down spitting image of the big Lexus.

Insides mirror the same attention to detail that makes big brother so impeccably flawless, and yes, even the brunt of a few harsh suggestions such as, "Fussy" or Prude". While it is true the appointments are undramatic, there are neverthless, plenty of pointers for budding interior designers. Every component has been carefully evaluated for its efficiency and indeed its very necessity. The result is an interior so ergonomically perfect, it is not possible to improve upon it any further. The power window switches, for example, are smart by their push-to- lower and pull-to-raise-arrangement; never mind the consistent sounds that emanate from those buttons. So the dash curves gently towards the drive, possibly hinting at the vehicle's sporty nature while putting all controls within reach, but the surface's delicious padding and the rich texture is absent in cars costing twice as much. A shrewd touch-- the inner door panels are deeply sculpted (notice how the sheet metal bulges out from the belt-line) empowering the door pulls/elbow supports to be meaty, while the meatier around the hips will appreciate the extra inches. Toyota's engineers rarely daddle toys from the dash for the driver to play with, so don't go around looking for "Information Centers", compasses, and outside temperature displays. Unless executed solemnly, those tid bits have a habit of appearing cheesy. Also missing--the beastly plastics found in GM's mid-size sedans. Mercedes-Benz and BMW might take a note or two: the rich hues, the crisp clicks, and the military precision of the HVAC and radio controls are worthy of emulation. As is the cruise control lever, a design for which Toyota holds the patent. This little stem protrudes from the right of the steering wheel, and once mastered, provides for sublimely easy acceleration and deceleration. And, get this-- all the fasteners are positioned strategically to avoid human eye contact; and almost as if to apologize for the presence of screws, they are covered with little plastic lids that are so perfectly cut, I wonder if Toyota's interior designers do offices.

The ride, though a bit on the softer side, is in perfect harmony with the hydraulic nature of the automobile. The independent, MacPherson strut w/stabilizer bar front arrangement and the more intricate independent, dual link, rear geometry mop up most irregularities resulting in a ride that's better than the Mercedes E420. There is a tendency for the Toyota to lean during unceremonious bends and twists, but the driver is always well informed of what the Dunlops are upto. The highways are where it's most emphatic displaying exceptional poise and aplomb. Precise, direct steering and a tight turning diameter make it a breeze to weave out of bothersome spots. So, if you prefer a plush ride and succumb to sporadic impulses to make the left on orange, this car is pretty much the ticket. Structural integrity is magnificent; the stiff platform and the front and rear subframes strive to keep the interior quieter than the Forbes campaign headquarters.

Toyota also rigged this car with the best brakes in its class so stops are short and straight with no noticeable fade or unseemly jerks while the pedal feel is reassuring. ABS is an option on all but the XLE models.

The V6 is reputed to be thirsty, but I have yet to be convinced. I have experienced 24 mpg around Dayton and a somewhat insane 29 on the freeways. The EPA is more conservative, listing it at 20/28.

Advanced finite element analysis procedures have enabled Toyota's engineers to create maximum space out of a given environment. Toyota is the industry's undisputed space-efficiency leader. It is evident the moment you ride up front. The dash is tucked away to the far horizons of the windshield but, amazingly, the glove box's cavity has not decreased. Despite being 10" shorter than the Taurus and four inches narrower, the Camry has more front leg room and hip room. (Refer to more comparisons at end of article.) The supposedly ultra-modern, "cab-forward" Chrysler Cirrus, being wider by two inches, has three fewer inches of front and rear hip room. All this miraculous space saving comes at a price, so power adjustments for the driver's seat are an option even in the LE--as is leather, although, the standard fabric is high class in texture and pattern. Besides, you might not have much by way of choice in terms of fabric and equipment since dealers have started tossing every available option into the V6's. So if you find one without the spoiler, the gold, leather, and the "American Edition" package, chances are you have met the acquaintance of an honest fellow and negotiations should be pushed along briskly.

Safety

Safety equipment includes dual air-bags, side impact beams, auto-off headlamps, and an energy-absorbing steering wheel and column. Tow down hooks, a first in the price range, prevent the hood from making unwanted appearances in the cabin and in case of a frontal collision, the liquid filled damper turns and drops the powerplant under the vehicle. A neat feature prevents doors from being locked in the ajar position with the key in the ignition. Another safety highlight most mistake for a defect is the de-activation of the power lock switch after the key is removed from the ignition and the driver's side door is shut. The computer assumes you have exited the automobile and prevents further activity from taking place through the lock switch; a safety feature that will hinder best efforts by unattended toddlers to say, play in traffic. If you do decide to leave Junior indoors whilst you pop in for a Super Lotto, make sure the windows are down a crack; else you would have some grave explaining to do.

The Competition

In many ways, the Camry is the Lexus LS400 of the mid-size sedans. There has been a relentless, masterful, crusade towards perfection that precludes jazzy commercials, empty boasting, and other desperate methods usually engaged by car builders to make up for deficient engineering.

Toyota's axiom calls for a clear definition of the purpose of an automobile and a marvelously advanced approach to building one. While creating one of the most high tech. automobiles to date, the engineers have succeeded in giving the Camry an almost human character. Not just any human, but one who has seen the world and has all the answers. Someone, who's capable of being adventurous and yet, winds up being disarmingly safe. Someone, with so much pedigree and genuine class there is no need to seek attention-- one, with a subtlety so overpowering, and a brilliance so understated, it has others scrambling to imitate. Its virtues rub off on the driver in the most handsome manner, raising one's self esteem in a manner only super-expensive autos can. This car will not turn heads of those who do not understand or appreciate it; but those who have driven it and lived with it, will swear by it.

For most buyers, price remains the bottomline and this is one of the most expensive automobiles in its class, costing on an average, nearly two thousand dollars more than some similarly equipped competitors. Nevertheless, prices can be misleading. The mid-size offerings from GM may seem a better "value"; they are rustic--with antediluvian engines and woeful build quality. Chrysler's answers-- the Concorde/Intrepid/Eagle siblings, try to be good cars, but lag in basic refinement by a few years. Reliability and safety concerns also haunt most Chrysler buyers and there is another safety scandal brewing over the Intrepid. Honda's Accord V6 and the Mazda 626 V6 are good bargains, but their engines are anemic. The Taurus, despite a five year advantage in development time, simply cannot match the Toyota in overall refinement. More importantly, the new Taurus has yet to prove its reliability and in the wake of two mammoth recalls by Ford, its task appears even more difficult. Nissan's Maxima matches the Camry in almost all crucial categories. However, with a poor showing in the offset- crash test hoopla, its safety remains under a cloud. Ironically, the stiffest competition for the Camry is the superb Avalon, Toyota's flagship. Using the same powertrain, modified slightly for more power, the base Avalon sells for less than the loaded XLE V6.

Camry in Numbers:

Engine: 10
Transmission: 10
Acceleration: 9
Braking: 9
Visibility: 9
Handling: 8
Ride: 9
Steering: 9
Ergonomics: 10
Interior Accomodations: 10
Cargo/Utility: 10
Structural Integrity: 10
Styling: 10
Fit and Finish: 10
Safety: 10
Reliability: 10
Value for Money: 10

The damning consistency of the Toyota's brilliance has been the desperate desire of every self respecting automaker. Indeed, there might be more new competitors now than when it first arrived, but it has triumphed every pretender and carries on firmly ensconced among laurels it truly deserves.

Like a true champion, it's quitting the scene on a high note. In four years, it has accomplished more than most with a soul can, earning the admiration and endorsement of the likes of J. D. Power and Consumer Reports. It leaves behind a void that can only be filled, and perhaps fittingly so, by the next generation Camry--in anticipation of which dealers are expected to slash prices. The Best Car On the Planet, is now more affordable than before.

Camry versus the World

Key advantages vs. Chrysler Cirrus (V6)

More horsepower and torque
Dual Overhead Cams (DOHC)
More head, shoulder and hip room
Longer Powertrain Warranty
Larger Fuel Tank
"Auto-off" halogen headlamps

Key advantages vs. Dodge Intrepid
More front leg and rear headroom
Dual Overhead Cams (DOHC)
60/40 split-folding rear seat
Longer Powertrain Warranty
"Auto-off"halogen headlamps

Key advantages vs. Ford Taurus
More rear head and front legroom
Cruise control
Power antenna
Longer Powertrain Warranty
4-wheel disc brakes
Larger fuel tank

Key advantages vs. Honda Accord (V6)
More horsepower and torque
Longer Powertrain Warranty
More leg, shoulder, and hip room
Dual Overhead Cams (DOHC)
Larger fuel tank
More cargo space

Key advantages vs. Mazda 626 (V6)
More horsepower and torque
More shoulder and hip room
Larger fuel tank
Standard 4ECTi automatic overdrive transmission
Longer Powertrain Warranty
More cargo space
"Auto-off" halogen headlamps

Key advantages vs. Nissan Maxima
More rear leg and front hip room
"Auto-off" halogen headlamps
Standard 4ECTi automatic overdrive transmission
60/40 split folding seats
More cargo space
Full-size spare

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