In the crankandpiston world of epic supercars and blistering tyre rubber, the addition of a Toyota Camry to the crew may have seemed a little out of left field. Powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, we wouldn’t (if we’re being brutally honest) call the Camry ‘fast’. Neither would we call it ‘sporty’, the onus of the saloon being on comfort. This in turn left us wondering if amidst the SE+ bespoke luxury, the crankandpiston ‘thrills’ had somehow been lost.
Well, let’s look at the facts. Certainly Toyota’s ‘let’s try something a bit different’ design philosophy was one we welcomed (we’d even call the new look ‘handsome’), as was the typically top rate Toyota craftsmanship in the interior. Upholstery and instrument panels – which, okay, in their cream and faux-wood layout was perhaps a trifle unenthusiastic – was still nicely put together. The leather seats enveloped us like armchairs, and quite how the Japanese marque managed to squeeze this much space into a cabin is a mystery we failed to solve.
When we consider the drive, we similarly find solid bonus points being doled out. The steering was very responsive, feel for the brakes was very good, and gear changes were almost graceful in their smoothness. Tightening our seatbelts and turning our baseball caps backwards did throw up a few issues though.
This is a saloon car first and foremost, and one where comfort is a main priority: indeed, most of the taxis that populate Dubai’s city streets are Toyota Camrys, and principally because endless hours on the road can be completed in them without fatigue setting in. This ultimately means that dynamism has taken a back seat. Throw the Camry into a corner with vim and enthusiasm, and the front wheels will do their best to hang on, but – as the faint echoes of tyre squeal confirm – will ultimately fall short. That may have something to do with noticeable bodyroll during high speed cornering through highway off and on ramps.
