2003 Toyota Camry - Consumer Guide Automotive

Category	LE, 4 cyl man. Rating (See All Ratings)	Midsize Car Average Rating

Acceleration	4	5.2

Fuel Economy	6	5.3

Ride Quality	8	6.3

Steering/Handling/Braking	6	6.1

Quietness	7	5.5

Controls	10	6.5

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)	8	5.9

Room/Comfort (rear)	6	4.4

Cargo Room	5	4.7

Value within Class	10	6.2

Total Score:	70	56.1

Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category

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2003 Toyota Camry Review

One of America's best-selling midsize sedans adds optional power-adjustable pedals as its main 2003 change. Camry comes in base LE, uplevel XLE, and sporty SE trim. All offer a 2.4-liter 4-cyl engine and optional 3.0-liter V6. The 4-cyl LE and SE have standard manual transmission. Automatic transmission is optional for those models and standard on the 4-cyl XLE and all V6 models. V6 SE and all XLE models have antilock 4-wheel disc brakes; ABS is optional for other Camrys. Also optional on all models are front side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags, which can be combined with an available antiskid system on V6 models. The power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals are available only with automatic transmission as a $120 option. Other options include a navigation system with dashboard touch screen. Camry's SE model includes a firmer suspension and special trim. LE models join other Camrys with standard remote keyless entry and, at midyear, a power driver seat. LEs have 15-inch wheels, other models have 16s. The ES 300 from Toyota's luxury Lexus division shares Camry's basic design.

Competition

Perennial Best Buys Honda Accord and Toyota Camry continue to shine with refinement, model diversity, and comfort. Both offer economic 4-cylinder or sporty V6 power, have room for four adults, and are reasonably priced. Camry was new last year and Accord holds that honor this year.

Recommended models include the import-flavored Chevy Malibu, sporty Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Stratus twins, and the good-looking Pontiac Grand Prix. All come with V6 power, offer lots of standard equipment, and have pleasing road manners that will suit a variety of driving styles. Despite relatively high prices, the refined Volkswagen Passat is also Recommended. Sedan and wagon models are offered with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive and four-, six-, or class-exclusive eight-cylinder power. Budget-level interior materials and assembly disappointments aside, the Nissan Altima is Recommended for its impressive interior room, road manners, and reasonable price.

News

Camry posted an 11.2-percent year-to-year sales gain in 2002 to reclaim title America's most popular car line, ousting 2001 winner Honda Accord. The related 2-dr Solaras remain peripheral sellers, so credit the sedan's '02 redesign for winning the always hard-fought sales race. Solara will be catching up with its own makeover as an early 2004 debut.

The 4-dr Camry is only in its second season, so another redesign is still 4-5 years off if Toyota adheres to its usual "product cycle." However, the Japanese giant recently announced plans to offer more gas/electric models, and a Camry could be one of them. Indeed, a hybrid-power option is being whispered for 2005 as part of a mid-cycle update that should see moderate styling and features changes for all Camry sedans. We'd wager that V6 models will soon switch to the 3.3-liter engine introduced with the new Lexus RX330--perhaps as early as model-year '04.

2003 Toyota Camry Road Test >

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