2002 Toyota Camry

There seems to be something of a dispute over which is the best-selling car in America. Too bad this slugfest has to be between two Japanese competitors. In one corner is Honda Accord claiming it has outsold every other car in America. In the other is the Toyota Camry boasting the exact same thing. While I’m sure there’s a bean counter somewhere able to settle this standoff once and for all, suffice to say for my purposes each of these mid-size Japanese sedans is selling well enough here to support a small nation and volumes better than whatever is in third place. Let’s not quibble, I say. It only takes one nice long test drive of this largely overhauled 2002 Camry to understand why it finds itself at/near the top of the heap. What’s not to like? The Good News
As the sedans in Toyota’s luxury division Lexus develop more radically beautiful lines, the influence reaches down to elevate Camry’s profile as well. The result is an elegant, very pretty car, adjectives I don’t apply to the Accord at the moment. This new Camry appears larger, yet sleek and sophisticated with nose down and tail up in an aerodynamic crouch that also helps it better cheat the wind.

That this new Camry appears larger is not all illusion. Having abandoned the previous 10-year-old platform, Toyota started ground up with this one giving it two extra inches of wheelbase, plus a smidgen more length overall and almost 3 more inches in height. Unlike some expansive makeovers, these added dimensions have a direct impact where it counts: inside the cabin. Overall passenger volume is up by 5 percent, and backseat passengers especially get more comfortable seat position and improved legroom. That rear seatback also folds forward to accommodate flea market finds.

The Camry now comes in three models, the base LE I tested, a sporty SE and the top-line XLE (the old entry-level CE was deep-sixed). Either of the Camry’s two engine choices – a brand new 157-horse 2.4-liter 4 cylinder or the familiar 192-horse 3.0-liter V-6 – is available in all models, but only 4-cylinder Camry’s can choose between manual five-speed or automatic transmission. Four-wheel independent suspension and disc brakes with anti-lock are standard throughout the lineup.

My automatic, V-6-equipped Camry likely represents the best-selling combination. Its gentle but reassuring delivery gives people the power they want when they want it, no questions asked. Whether you’re talking ride, handling or acceleration, the words calm, confident and compliant apply.

On the LE, power windows and door locks, cruise control, air conditioning and a few other extras come standard. My test vehicle included an $875 package with keyless entry, power driver seat and JBL cassette/CD audio. I never felt deprived.

It also came with an $1,100 Package that adds a skid control system, as well as side and overhead curtain airbags for driver and front passenger.

The Bad News
I experienced a couple of glitches that could well be unique to the oft-abused test car. One was the driver’s window would sometimes shudder on its way down or up. The second was an occasional abrupt down- or upshift of the transmission for no apparent reason (i.e. I wasn’t flogging it). Minor irritations, yes, but to overlook them wouldn’t be doing my job.

Gas mileage
EPA rated at 20 mpg city/28 highway. Better than in the past, despite its increased size.

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $22,260;
Price as tested, $25,510

Is it worth it?
What I have said repeatedly about the Honda Accord (which I reviewed most recently in December) also applies to this Camry: It’s terrific in a girl-next-door kind of way. Any underlying disappointment on my part stems from the reinforcement that Accord/Camry sales prove most people just want nice, reliable transportation. Spirit, soul and personality apparently slip on down the list, since you won’t find much of any of these here. It’s a personal bias.

But who am I to argue with success? I commend Toyota for making solid improvements to this top-seller. There may not be any more horses in the V-6 (but efficiency improves) or stunning refinements to its handling characteristics, but the Camry’s ability to get the job done with style, grace and increased comfort remains impeccable.

The masses want competency, convenience, comfort and the feeling they’re getting something special. This new Camry delivers on all those points, and then some.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.