2005 Toyota Camry Review

Summary

Toyota Camry outsells other midsize cars in America largely because of Toyota's reputation for quality, durability and reliability. For 2005, Toyota has freshened the Camry's appearance, bolstered performance for four-cylinder models with a sophisticated new five-speed automatic transmission, and made anti-lock brakes standard at all trim levels. Available in coupe and convertible versions, the two-door Solara is built on the same platform as the Camry sedan, promising the same quality, durability and reliability.

2005 Full Review

The Solara coupe implies a sportier lifestyle while featuring the practicality of a truly useful rear seat. If you want two doors and a swoopy look, Camry Solara is a safe, smart choice. Choose a Camry sedan, Solara coupe or convertible, and you'll have a smooth, quiet car that should offer years of reliable service.

Trims and Styling 2005

The 2005 Toyota Camry sedan comes in four trim levels: base, LE, SE, and XLE.

A 160-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine comes standard on Camry, LE and SE models; a five-speed manual transmission is standard, the new five-speed automatic transmission is optional ($830).

XLE is available with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder or the 3.0-liter V6, both with automatic transmission only. SE is available with a newer 3.3-liter V6 rated at 225 horsepower ($2,820), which comes with the five-speed automatic.

Upgrading to the LE ($19,145) adds interior brightwork, upgraded cloth upholstery, power driver's seat, remote keyless entry, engine immobilizer, driver-information center and a full-size spare tire. The LE V6 ($22,260) also gets 15-inch aluminum wheels.

Camry SE ($19,975) is a sportier model, with higher-rate springs, shocks, and anti-roll bars, along with higher-effort steering and bigger (16-inch) steel wheels and P215/60 summer-only tires. The SE V6 ($23,625) adds the engine immobilizer, 17-inch aluminum wheels, and power sunroof.

The XLE ($22,395) is the most luxurious Camry, featuring wood-grain interior trim, power driver and passenger seats, automatic climate control, side-curtain airbags, JBL premium stereo with in-dash six-CD changer, a more advanced driver information center, an alarm system with engine immobilizer, a cargo net, a rear-window sunshade, and P215/60 all-season tires on 16-inch steel rims. The XLE V6 ($25,405) comes with leather seats and fancier gauges and 16-inch aluminum wheels.

The Camry Solara coupe comes in SE, SE Sport, and SLE trim levels. Automatic transmission is standard on all except the four-cylinder SE and SE Sport, which are available with a five-speed manual. Four-cylinder Solaras still use the old four-speed automatic rather than the new five-speed automatic.

The Solara convertible comes only in SE and SLE trim, and only with a V6 and automatic transmission.

The Solara SE coupe ($19,220) is the base level in the two-door lineup and comes standard with ABS; side-impact airbags; P215/60 all-season tires on 16-inch aluminum wheels; air conditioning; cruise control; power windows, mirrors and locks with remote keyless entry; and AM/FM/CD audio. The SE V6 coupe ($21,550) is similarly equipped. The Solara SE Sport coupe ($20,715) comes with sport-tuned suspension and P215/55R17 all-season tires on 17-inch aluminum wheels; it also gets aggressive exterior appliques; and substitutes Graphite and Charcoal trim for a lot of the SE's interior brightwork. Solara SE Sport V6 ($23,045) is similarly equipped.

The Solara SLE ($23,095) is the most luxurious model with automatic climate control, power moonroof, JBL stereo with six-disc CD changer, power seats and woodgrain interior trim. Solara SE V6 convertible ($25,950) comes with the SE Sport's dark interior trim and 17-inch wheels, but is otherwise equipped much like the SE V6 coupe. Overall, the Toyota Camry is a solid-looking car, stylish yet conservatively so. To some extent its smooth lines camouflage its height; the current Camry stands 2 inches taller than pre-2002 models.

Solara shares the sedan's 107-inch wheelbase, but is 3.3 inches longer overall than the Camry, measuring 192.5 inches from bumper to bumper.

The Solara coupe looks like a stylized version of the sedan. 2005 Toyota Camry / Solara

Styling and Interior Features

The Toyota Camry has a comfortable interior with controls that are straightforward and easy to operate. Radio and climate controls are mounted high in the center of the dash for easy access. The Camry dashboard is relatively plain, with no large curved surfaces, and it is set relatively high. Rear-seat passengers will find the Camry's accommodations quite pleasant for a mid-size sedan. The separate HVAC (heater) controls are easy to operate. On V6 models, a gated shifter for the automatic transmission allows manual gear selection.

The rear seats are surprisingly roomy, though less so than in the Camry sedan. Compared to the Honda Accord coupe, the Solara provides significantly more rear-seat hip room (50.3 inches vs. 46.1) and leg room (35.4 vs. 31.9) and a bit more headroom. The convertible is roomy as well. With the top up, there's actually 2 inches more rear-seat headroom than in the coupe. The Solara coupe can carry a tad more luggage than the Accord coupe, 13.8 cubic feet vs. 12.8.

First Drive 2005

Toyota knows how to build a quiet car with a comfortable ride. Stiff body structures and asphalt sheet insulation ensure that even when the four-cylinder engine is driven hard, engine noise is subdued.

The Camry is an easy car to drive. The Camry's soft suspension tuning makes for a smooth, impact-free ride on bumpy pavement. The Solara is sprung softly as well. Most Solara drivers will never experience this.

Camry's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine has 16 valves and double overhead camshafts; it develops 160 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 163 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. Optional in the Camry LE sedan and XLE sedan is a 3.0-liter V6 that develops 210 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 220 pound-feet at 4400. Formula 1 racing cars, the fastest cars in the world, use drive-by-wire.

Last year, Toyota introduced its new five-speed automatic, called 5ECTi (for Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence), on Camry V6 models. For 2005, four-cylinder Camry sedans get the more sophisticated five-speed automatic as well. All three Camry engines are equipped with Toyota's VVT-i system (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) for optimum power and efficiency and lower emissions.  

2005 Conclusions

The Toyota Camry is the ultimate transportation appliance. It's comfortable, smooth and quiet. Its controls are easy to operate. "Since its debut in the United States nearly 25 years ago, the Camry has earned a reputation for smart design, pleasing function, build quality and durability. It's not all hype." says New Car Test Drive of the 2009 model. The Solara puts all the benefits of the Camry in sporty coupe and convertible models. Solara has a genuinely useful back seat and a good-sized trunk.