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April 3, 2008 http://www.thecarconnection.com/fullreview/toyota_camry-solara_2004

  Henny Hemmes
EditorHenny Hemmes

 

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When the new generation of the Camry was introduced, it was obvious that a new two-door version would follow. And so it goes: late last summer the new Camry Solara hit the market as a 2004 model.

The preceding generation of the Solara was a success and also a women’s favorite. Sixty percent of the buyers were females. Nothing wrong there, but this time around, Toyota wants to sell more. So the new Solara was made sportier than the old model to attract more men to the mix.

But Camry is as Camry does — and while the new Solara won’t necessarily be able to attract street racers, NASCAR dads and thug rappers, it may be able to attract a broader following than before. Mostly, that’s due to a new, more powerful engine, more pronounced styling, an up-to date interior, a modern interior, and sportier underpinnings.

And for those who are still keeping track of such things, the last Solara had high U.S. content, but the new coupe is the most American model Toyota has ever built, the company says. It was developed in Toyota’s Technical Center in Michigan, designed in the Calty Design Studio in California, and built in the Toyota factory in Georgetown, Ky.

Familial looks

The exterior of the new Camry Solara, which is based on the best-selling sedan in the country, looks sleek, aerodynamic and more aggressive than before. The styling shows a vague family resemblance with the Lexus SC. The resemblance is especially strong at the rear end, with the small spoiler integrated in the deck lid. During my test I noticed that people started looking and wondering “what is this…?,” until they realized the car has a Toyota logo.

I drove the SLE, the luxury version that comes with leather seats, a power sun roof, automatic air conditioning, heated exterior mirrors, automatic dimming rearview and driver’s side mirrors, a power driver seat, JBL audio system with CD player and an in-dash six CD-changer garage door opener and a security system with engine immobilizer. This version also has 17-inch light alloy wheels. All Solaras have side airbags, the SLE V-6 can be equipped with curtain airbags, ESP, traction control, and a DVD-navigation system.

The Solara shares the stiffer chassis of the new Camry and has a so-called performance-tuned suspension, which is basically the same as the Camry SE, but with stiffer components, such as bushings, springs, and dampers. But you may not be able to detect the presence of a sport suspension on most Solaras — to make it widely known, you have to choose the Solara SE, which also is equipped with a sporty-looking body kit.

However, the more sedate SLE is stiff enough to provide a responsive feel and the suspension, with its 17-inch wheels, can easily handle the power of the new all-aluminum, 3.3-liter VVTi V-6 engine. The 3.3 has 225 hp at 5600 rpm and 240 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm, 27 hp and 28 lb-ft more than the old 3.0-liter. The V-6 is teamed exclusively to a new five-speed sequential automatic.

Compared to the four-speed automatic transmission used previously, it has a broader gear ratio for sportier shifting. A new gated shifter allows manual shifting too. But I realize now that I hardly used it.

Unchanged is the availability of the well known 2.4-liter four-cylinder with a five-speed manual. All Solaras have ULEV-II certification.

Classy cabin

The new interior of the Solara has its own unique dashboard and instrument panel, giving it a distinctly upscale flair lacking from the Camry. During my trip with the Solara it was easy to like the well-equipped interior of the SLE with its wood grain-style trim, good position behind the steering wheel, the excellent seat and the nicely laid-out dashboard.

It was equally easy to like the lively V-6 and its pleasant driving capabilities. It  doesn’t feel amazingly quick, but if you need to, you can overtake or get out of a dangerous situation smoothly and briskly. Cruising is comfortable: there is little interior noise, and you do not hear the engine or any stray wind noise. On a quiet road in the wine valley north of San Francisco I pushed deep into the power band of the new engine, and found that it reacts promptly and easily reaches forbidden speeds. Steering is light and direct and cornering at a fast pace is absolutely easy, although a little lacking in tactile response. Ride is as you’d expect: it wouldn’t dare let on to the punishing it’s taking under the floorpan. Above all else, the Solara SLE has a civilized demeanor.

What Toyota has in the Solara is a near-Lexus for half the price: the Solara V-6 SLE sells for $25,995, while the 2.4 SE four-cylinder with 157 hp and a manual transmission retails for $19,120. In March, the coupe will get company of the Convertible that was unveiled last week at the Chicago Auto Show. Between its sharpened responses and the coming ragtop — and its far more expensive feel — it should attract people of all sorts, though the speed demons may still give it a pass.

Toyota Camry Solara V-6 SLE
Base price: $25,995
Engine: 3.3-liter V-6, 225 hp/240 lb-ft
Transmission: Five-speed automatic with manual mode, front-wheel-drive
Length x width x height: 192.5 x 71.5 x 56.1 in
Wheelbase: 107.1 in
Curb Weight: 3439 lb
EPA fuel economy (city/hwy): 20/29 mpg
Safety equipment: Dual airbags, four-wheel-disc brakes, ABS, tire pressure warning system
Major standard features: Automatic air conditioning, power windows and locks, JBL audio system w/ CD and eight speakers, electric rear defrost, heated outside mirrors
Warranty: Three years/36,000 miles basic; five years/60,000 miles powertrain

  GET CURRENT PRICING GET AN INSURANCE QUOTE   When the new generation of the Camry was introduced, it was obvious that a new two-door version would follow. And so it goes: late last summer the new Camry Solara hit the market as a 2004 model. The preceding generation of the Solara was a success and also a women’s favorite. Sixty percent of the buyers were females. Nothing wrong there, but this time around, Toyota wants to sell more. So the new Solara was made sportier than the old model to attract more men to the mix. But Camry is as Camry does — and while the new Solara won’t necessarily be able to attract street racers, NASCAR dads and thug rappers, it may be able to attract a broader following than before. Mostly, that’s due to a new, more powerful engine, more pronounced styling, an up-to date interior, a modern interior, and sportier underpinnings. And for those who are still keeping track of such things, the last Solara had high U.S. content, but the new coupe is the most American model Toyota has ever built, the company says. It was developed in Toyota’s Technical Center in Michigan, designed in the Calty Design Studio in California, and built in the Toyota factory in Georgetown, Ky. Familial looks The exterior of the new Camry Solara, which is based on the best-selling sedan in the country, looks sleek, aerodynamic and more aggressive than before. The styling shows a vague family resemblance with the Lexus SC. The resemblance is especially strong at the rear end, with the small spoiler integrated in the deck lid. During my test I noticed that people started looking and wondering “what is this…?,” until they realized the car has a Toyota logo. I drove the SLE, the luxury version that comes with leather seats, a power sun roof, automatic air conditioning, heated exterior mirrors, automatic dimming rearview and driver’s side mirrors, a power driver seat, JBL audio system with CD player and an in-dash six CD-changer garage door opener and a security system with engine immobilizer. This version also has 17-inch light alloy wheels. All Solaras have side airbags, the SLE V-6 can be equipped with curtain airbags, ESP, traction control, and a DVD-navigation system. The Solara shares the stiffer chassis of the new Camry and has a so-called performance-tuned suspension, which is basically the same as the Camry SE, but with stiffer components, such as bushings, springs, and dampers. But you may not be able to detect the presence of a sport suspension on most Solaras — to make it widely known, you have to choose the Solara SE, which also is equipped with a sporty-looking body kit. However, the more sedate SLE is stiff enough to provide a responsive feel and the suspension, with its 17-inch wheels, can easily handle the power of the new all-aluminum, 3.3-liter VVTi V-6 engine. The 3.3 has 225 hp at 5600 rpm and 240 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm, 27 hp and 28 lb-ft more than the old 3.0-liter. The V-6 is teamed exclusively to a new five-speed sequential automatic. Compared to the four-speed automatic transmission used previously, it has a broader gear ratio for sportier shifting. A new gated shifter allows manual shifting too. But I realize now that I hardly used it. Unchanged is the availability of the well known 2.4-liter four-cylinder with a five-speed manual. All Solaras have ULEV-II certification. Classy cabin 2004 Toyota Camry SolaraEnlarge PhotoThe new interior of the Solara has its own unique dashboard and instrument panel, giving it a distinctly upscale flair lacking from the Camry. During my trip with the Solara it was easy to like the well-equipped interior of the SLE with its wood grain-style trim, good position behind the steering wheel, the excellent seat and the nicely laid-out dashboard. It was equally easy to like the lively V-6 and its pleasant driving capabilities. It  doesn’t feel amazingly quick, but if you need to, you can overtake or get out of a dangerous situation smoothly and briskly. Cruising is comfortable: there is little interior noise, and you do not hear the engine or any stray wind noise. On a quiet road in the wine valley north of San Francisco I pushed deep into the power band of the new engine, and found that it reacts promptly and easily reaches forbidden speeds. Steering is light and direct and cornering at a fast pace is absolutely easy, although a little lacking in tactile response. Ride is as you’d expect: it wouldn’t dare let on to the punishing it’s taking under the floorpan. Above all else, the Solara SLE has a civilized demeanor. What Toyota has in the Solara is a near-Lexus for half the price: the Solara V-6 SLE sells for $25,995, while the 2.4 SE four-cylinder with 157 hp and a manual transmission retails for $19,120. In March, the coupe will get company of the Convertible that was unveiled last week at the Chicago Auto Show. Between its sharpened responses and the coming ragtop — and its far more expensive feel — it should attract people of all sorts, though the speed demons may still give it a pass. Toyota Camry Solara V-6 SLE Base price: $25,995Engine: 3.3-liter V-6, 225 hp/240 lb-ftTransmission: Five-speed automatic with manual mode, front-wheel-driveLength x width x height: 192.5 x 71.5 x 56.1 inWheelbase: 107.1 inCurb Weight: 3439 lbEPA fuel economy (city/hwy): 20/29 mpg Safety equipment: Dual airbags, four-wheel-disc brakes, ABS, tire pressure warning systemMajor standard features: Automatic air conditioning, power windows and locks, JBL audio system w/ CD and eight speakers, electric rear defrost, heated outside mirrorsWarranty: Three years/36,000 miles basic; five years/60,000 miles powertrain GET CURRENT PRICING GET AN INSURANCE QUOTE When the new generation of the Camry was introduced, it was obvious that a new two-door version would follow. And so it goes: late ...