2005 Toyota Camry XLE

Performance: 2005 Toyota Camry

Powertrain

Essentially, the Camry offers three different engines. The base powerplant is a smooth-revving 2.4-liter four-cylinder that makes 160 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque in the sedans. (Unless you live in California and certain Northeastern states, that is, where an ultra-low-emissions version that makes 151 hp and 161 lb-ft is sold.) Camry Solara coupes have a slightly lower power rating for their four-cylinder engines: 157 horsepower and 162 lb-ft. There are also two V-6 engines. The first, fitted in LE and XLE sedans, is a 3.0-liter that produces 210 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque. SE sedans are available with a 3.3-liter V-6 that makes 225 horsepower and 240 lb-ft. The higher-output engine is the only V-6 offered in Solara coupes and the only engine fitted in the Solara convertible. Whichever V-6 you choose, it will be mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, with the slick five-speed manual limited to the four-cylinder engine.

Behind the Wheel

Above all, what the Camry provides is a pleasant, innocuous way of getting from point A to point B. Whether you choose a four-cylinder or V-6 model, or go for the sedan, coupe, or convertible, all Camrys ride beautifully and have quiet, elegant powertrains. Naturally, the four-cylinder engine needs to be worked harder than the rich V-6 for best results, but that's no hardship because the five-speed manual is so slick and the five-speed automatic transmission has well-spaced ratios and nearly imperceptible gearshifts. The V-6 engines, too, are superbly refined, and provide decent passing performance, especially in 3.3-liter guise. Again, the automatic transmissions are exceptional.

The story isn't quite so good for enthusiast drivers. Although Toyota offers a slightly more aggressive suspension tune on the SE sedan, it's still a bit dull to drive fast--safe but not inspirational. Even the SE Sport Camry Solara coupe is more boulevardier than back-road hero. But most Camry owners won't care about that, because they are after a great highway ride, and the Camry provides that. Only some steering kickback on bumpy roads interrupts the isolation.