Review: Toyota XV30 Camry (2002-06)

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• Responsive 3.0-litre 1MZ-FE V6 petrol engine
• Refined automatic transmissions
• Spacious interior and boot
• Accurate, well-weighted steering

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• Suspension lacks low-speed compliance
• Front seats lack lumbar and lateral support
• Dull interior
• Handbrake on opposite side of centre console

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Review: Toyota XV30.I Camry (2002-04)

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Overview

Released in September 2002, the Toyota XV30 Series I (XV30.I) Camry was a front-wheel drive, mid-size sedan. Manufactured in Altona, Victoria, the XV30 Camry was available with 2.4-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre V6 petrol engines. As per the table below, the XV30.I Camry range consisted of Altise, Ateva, Sportivo and Azura variants. In October 2003, however, a limited-run Altise Sport variant was released.

2AZ-FE and 1MZ-FE engines

Of the engines,

• The newly-introduced 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE four-cylinder petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable inlet valve timing (Toyota’s ‘VVTi’), twin contra-rotating balance shafts and a compression ratio of 9.6:1; and,
• The 3.0-litre 1MZ-FE V6 petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts (per cylinder bank), four valves per cylinder, an acoustic control induction system (ACIS) which varied the effective inlet length and a compression ratio of 10.5:1. While the standard 1MZ-FE engine produced peak outputs of 141 kW and 279 Nm, Sportivo and Azura variants had a variable back pressure exhaust system which increased outputs to 145 kW and 284 Nm. For the 1MZ-FE engine, over 80 per cent of peak torque was available from 1200-5800 rpm.

Transmission options for the XV30 Camry consisted of five-speed manual and four-speed automatic units.

Dimensions

Compared to the XV20 Camry , the XV30 Camry was 30 mm longer (at 4805 mm), had a 50 mm longer wheelbase (2720 mm), was 15 mm wider (1795 mm) and 50 mm taller(1495 mm). The XV30 Camry also had a more rigid body and, relative to XV30 Camry vehicles manufactured elsewhere, unique subframes. The Camry Sportivo and Azura variants were also fitted with a brace across the front strut towers for increased rigidity.

Suspension

The XV30 Camry had MacPherson strut suspension front and rear with coil springs, gas-filled dampers and anti-roll bars; the rear suspension also included dual transverse links.
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Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the XV30.I Camry included dual front airbags and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters; the four-cylinder Ateva and all 3.0-litre V6 models were further equipped with ABS.

The Camry Ateva V6, Sportivo V6 and Azura were also fitted with front side airbags.

Brakes

The XV30 Camry had 275 mm by 28 mm vented front brake discs and 286 mm by 10 mm solid rear discs.

ANCAP crash testing

In ANCAP crash testing, a 2.4-litre XV30 Camry Altise (with dual front airbags) achieved a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 26.31 out of 37. In the offset crash test, protection from serious leg injury was marginal for the driver, while chest protection was marginal for the front passenger. In the side impact test, there was a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver.

Features: Camry Altise, Ateva and Azura

Standard features for the entry-level Camry Altise included 15-inch steel wheels, a four speaker sound system (six speakers for V6) with CD player, air conditioning, speed alert, split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows, a height adjustable steering wheel and an immobiliser. The V6 Altise was further equipped with a six speaker sound system.

Beyond this, the Camry Ateva added 15-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system, cruise control, circular knit seat fabrics, three height-adjustable rear headrests, a trip computer, woodgrain interior trim and a security alarm; the V6 Ateva added a six-disc CD player.

The range-topping Camry Azura was distinguished by its leather seats, a DVD-based satellite navigation system with touch screen, climate control air conditioning, power adjustable front seats and moonroof.

Features: Camry Sportivo

Compared to the Altise, the Camry Sportivo featured 16-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Vivacy tyres and sports suspension settings, a four speaker sound system with CD player, contoured sports seats with lumbar adjustment, cruise control, front fog lights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift and hand brake lever. V6 Sportivo variants were further equipped with a six speaker sound system with a six-disc in-dash CD player, climate control air conditioning, Alcantara seat trim, trip computer and metallic interior highlights.

Visually, the  Camry Sportivo could be identified by its blacked-out headlights, grey and chrome grille, chrome exhaust diffuser and body kit, including a front spoiler, side skirts, rear skirt and low-rise boot-mounted spoiler. 

2003 Camry Altise Sport

In October 2003, a 3.0-litre V6 Altise Sport was added to the Camry range; based on the Altise, it added 16-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels, Michelin Vivacy tyres and suspension settings as per the V6 Sportivo, strut brace, contoured sports seats, front fog lamps and a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel. Visually, the Altise Sport could be identified by its body-coloured door handles, boot lid spoiler and chrome exhaust diffuser.

Related links

• Press Kit: Toyota XV30.I Camry (September 2002)
• Press Release: Dual-fuel (LPG compatible) kit for Camry and Avalon (April 2003)
• Press Release: Toyota XV30.I Camry Altise Sport (January 2004)

Review: Toyota XV30.II Camry (2004-06)

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Overview

Released in September 2004, the XV30 Series II (XV30.II) Camry introduced improved equipment levels and minor cosmetic update; the range was also expanded with the introduction of a Grande variant. Visually, the XV30.II Camry could be identified by its new front bumper, rear combination lamps and four-bar grille; the Azura and Sportivo were also fitted with a body kit developed by Toyota Style Australia. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Safety equipment

Compared to its XV30.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the XV30.II Camry was substantially the same, although the 2.4-litre Ateva gained front side airbags.

Features

Standard features were extended to include cruise control and an alarm system, while all V6 models were fitted with a power adjustable driver’s seat. Furthermore,

• The Ateva gained climate control air conditioning and a four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls;
• The Sportivo was fitted with a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, brushed aluminium pedals and ‘Sportivo’ front scuff plates; and,
• The Azura was fitted with Toyota Link telematics, combination Alcantara/leather seat upholstery, a three-spoke leather-wrapped sports steering wheel with audio controls, brushed aluminium pedals and an electrochromatic rear vision mirror.

The Grande was similarly equipped to the Azura but with a greater emphasis on luxury than the sportier Azura. As such, the Grande was differentiated by its 16-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels, leather seats, a four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel and chrome door handles, rear garnish and exhaust diffuser.

August 2005: Camry update

In August 2005, the XV30.II underwent a minor update: the 3.0-litre V6 was fitted with full leather seats and a power adjustable driver’s seat, while the Altise variant was offered in Limited and Sport editions.

The Altise Limited was equipped with ABS, 15-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and metallic interior highlights; the 3.0-litre V6 Altise Limited was further equipped with a six-stack CD player. The 3.0-litre V6 Altise Sport was fitted with the same tyre and suspension settings as the V6 Sportivo (including the Sportivo’s front strut brace) and the Sportivo’s more powerful engine.

Related links

• Press Kit: Toyota XV30.II Camry (September 2004)
• Press Release: Toyota XV30.II Camry Grande (October 2004)
• Press Release: Toyota XV30.II Camry Altise Limited and Altise Sport (August 2005)
• Wikipedia.org: Toyota XV30 Camry