TOYOTA CAMRY V6 SL
$ 48,400 DRIVE- AWAY 19 POINTS
VALUE
The new Camry range starts at $31,500 drive-away and comes with four-cylinder, hybrid or V6 power in most grades. The flagship SL V6 comes with the works: radar cruise control, leather trim, electric adjustment for front seats and 18-inch alloys. Service intervals are 12 months/15,000km (up from six months/10,000km on other Toyotas). Routine maintenance is just $585 for three years. Warranty is below average at three years/100,000km. Resale value is above average.
DESIGN
The best-looking Camry by far. You know the world has truly changed when a Camry has the design edge over a Holden Commodore — and most other mid-size sedan rivals. The bold styling has a low, wide stance and the glass area is huge, so it’s easy to see out of when manoeuvring. The interior is one of the roomiest in class. There is only a space-saver in the huge boot.
ENGINE
The 3.5-litre V6 has serious mumbo (224kW/362Nm). With eight-speed auto it gets to the speed limit briskly. We stopped the clocks in the 0-100km/h dash in 6.7 seconds. It has a lusty sound that revheads will appreciate and passengers hopefully won’t notice. it’s a touch thirsty, claiming 8.9L/100km.
SAFETY
All models come with high and low-speed autonomous emergency braking, seven airbags and lane-keeping that’s a bit hit and miss. The flagship gets the works, gaining rear crosstraffic alert and blind zone warning. An up-to-date crash safety rating means this five-star ANCAP score really counts.
DRIVING
Here’s the tricky part. The SL is a rocket in a straight line but not so competent in corners. The 18-inch alloys and low-profile tyres aren’t as good at soaking up bumps as other Camrys on 17s with more rubber around the rims. It can jar as the suspension and tyres can’t dampen the impact quickly enough.