The 2011 Toyota Camry has a long list of virtues, but they’re virtues that don’t necessarily impress auto reviewers. The Camry offers a spacious, comfortable interior and is tuned for a smooth ride -- but that means it’s sluggish in the corners, and its base four-cylinder engine is not particularly quick. Motor Trend calls it, “The Wal-Mart of family cars,” which is both a compliment and an insult -- it’s popular and predictable, but not particularly exciting. In previous years, reviewers have praised its bulletproof reputation for reliability. But in the wake of Toyota’s string of recalls, many don’t know what to think of its quality. For Toyota loyalists, the 2011 Toyota Camry may represent a great buying opportunity, especially since Toyota has been discounting the Camry with heavy incentives in recent months. Be sure to check for current Toyota Deals for details. Others, however, may find that the Camry is not the automatic answer it used to be for buyers looking for a reliable car they didn’t have to think much about.
Other Cars to Consider. The Affordable Midsize Car class is much more competitive than it was just a few years ago. Midsize car shoppers today will find many excellent family cars that might meet their needs. Those looking for a more exciting ride might want to consider the sharp-cornering Mazda6, or the agile Ford Fusion which also boasts Ford’s excellent SYNC infotainment system. Buyers attracted to the Camry’s smooth ride might want to test drive the 2011 Hyundai Sonata as well. It offers a relaxed ride similar to the Camry’s, but has one of the highest fuel-efficiency ratings in its class, and more interior space than the 2011 Camry.
The Camry was last redesigned for the 2008 model year. Some material used in this review may refer to earlier model years that are substantially similar. The Camry is available in a stripped-down base model, a better-equipped LE edition, a sport-tuned SE model and a top-of-the-line XLE trim level. The 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid, a close variant of the gas-only Camry, is reviewed separately.
Shoppers might want to note that 2007 through 2010 Camry sedans were included in a pair of massive and highly-publicized recalls due to allegations that a Camry, under certain conditions, could accelerate even when its driver wasn’t touching the gas pedal. A Toyota spokesperson tells us that the 2011 Camry’s accelerator pedal is a new design that's not affected by the recalls. The 2011 Toyota Camry is also one of the first Toyotas to feature a new brake override system, which ensures that the engine can’t cause the car to accelerate while the brake pedal is being pressed. There have been no allegations of unintended acceleration regarding the 2011 Toyota Camry, but it has only been on the market for a very short time.
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