Used Toyota Camry review: 2011-2013

NEW

The Camry might be one of the country's top selling cars, it's hugely popular in the business world, but it rarely gets more than a casual glance from the wider motoring community.

It's always been the fall-back car for those who don't really care too much about what they drive. Most know about Toyota's reputation for reliability, and appreciate the resale that comes with the brand, but few care about anything beyond those fundamentals of car ownership.

The release of the new eighth generation, Australian-built Camry thus passed by with little fuss being made of what was in many ways a much-improved car. Toyota revised its model line-up, giving more separation to the fleet models and the new sportier models that were aimed more at the private buyer.

The Altise was aimed at fleet buyers, while private buyers got to choose from three variants of the newly named Atara: S, SX and SL. The Camry has never been renowned for its looks, it has always sat comfortably at the conservative end of the styling scale, but the new model in 2011 was quite attractive with clean lines and a handsome profile.

Inside, the cabin was a much more pleasant place to be with more room and better comfort, and a more appealing dash layout. Beyond the cabin there was a good-sized boot.

Power came from a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 131 kW and 231 Nm, enough to endow the mid-sized sedan with impressive zip. It was sufficient to keep up in the cut and thrust of city traffic, and still cruise comfortably on the open road.

It was also more economical than the old model, with Toyota claiming the fuel consumption was reduced by a full litre per 100 km. Backing up to the engine was a paddle-shifted six-speed automatic transmission, with the final drive being sent to the front wheels.

On the road the new Camry was quiet, handled nicely and rode with admirable smoothness. With a full arsenal of safety gear, including seven airbags, ESP, traction control, rear cameras and blind-spot alerts there was no question about it getting all the ticks of approval ANCAP could hand out.

NOW

Most Camry owners praise their cars. They particularly like the roomy cabin, the big boot and the fuel economy. Those few who criticise it usually complain about the performance of the engine, although there are fewer complaints about the 2.5-litre engine than there were about the smaller engine in the previous model.

There has been one recall of the Camry. That was in 2012 when Toyota reported there was a possibility that the fuel hose connecting the main fuel supply line to the engine could have become wrinkled during manufacture. If so, it could result in a hole in the fuel hose that could cause a fuel leak.

When checking a car prior to purchase check the service record to make sure all is well in the maintenance department. One thing you don't have to worry about with the Camry is a timing belt change; they have a chain that doesn't require changing.

SMITHY SAYS

Eighth time round Toyota's quiet achiever became a much more desirable car.

Toyota Camry 2011-2013
Price new: $30,490 to $39,990
Engine: 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder, 133-135 kW/231-235 Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, FWD
Economy: 7.7 L/100 km
Body: 4-door sedan
Variants: Altise, Atara A, Atara SX, Atara SL
Safety: 5-star ANCAP