Review: Toyota XV40 Camry (2006-11)

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• Intuitive five-speed automatic transmission
• Quiet, well-insulated cabin
• Spacious interior and boot
• Competent ride/handling balance
• Light steering is accurate…

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• … but lacks feel
• Front seats lack support
• Dynamics fall short of Mazda GH Mazda6 , Ford Mk.4 Mondeo and Honda CU2 Accord Euro
• Reports of high oil consumption for the 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE petrol engine

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Review: Toyota XV40.I Camry (2006-09)

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Overview

Released in July 2006, the Toyota XV40 Series I (XV40.I) Camry was a mid-size, front-wheel drive sedan. Manufactured in Altona, Australia, the XV40 Camry was powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to either a five-speed automatic (U250E) or manual transmission (E351). The XV40.I Camry range initially consisted of the Altise, Ateva, Sportivo and Grande variants, though a limited-run Touring variant was released in May 2009.

2AZ-FE engine

The 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE four-cylinder petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake valve timing (Toyota’s ‘VVT-i’), twin counter-rotating balance shafts, electronic throttle control and a compression ratio of 9.6:1. The XV40 Camry was not available with a V6 engine as Toyota Australia reserved the 3.5-litre 2GR-FE V6 engine for the related XV40 Aurion .

Dimensions and development

Compared to the XV30 Camry , the XV40 Camry was 10 mm longer (4815 mm), 25 mm wider (1820 mm), 15 mm lower (1480 mm) and had a 55 mm longer wheelbase (2775 mm), while its drag coefficient was 0.28 Cd. Relative to its XV30 predecessor, developments for the XV40 Camry included:

• New engine management software;
• The introduction of electronic throttle control;
• The availability of five-speed automatic transmissions; and,
• For the suspension, control piston valves in the dampers and a new oil seal at the top of the damper body for more linear damping response.

Suspension

The XV40 Camry had coil-over suspension with MacPherson struts front and rear, with L-shaped lower arms at the front and dual transverse links at the rear. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Safety equipment

Initially, standard safety equipment for the Toyota Camry Altise included with dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters; the Sportivo, Ateva and Grande variants were further equipped with front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), while the Grande was also equipped with electronic stability control and traction control.

From August 2007, however, electronic stability control and traction control were standard across the range.

Brakes

The XV40 Camry had 296 mm by 28 mm vented front brake discs and 296 mm by 10 mm solid rear discs.

ANCAP crash testing

In ANCAP crash testing , a 2007 Camry Altise – equipped with dual front airbags – received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 27.53 out of 37. In the offset crash test, protection from serious leg injury was marginal for the front occupants. In the side impact test, protection from serious chest injury was marginal for the driver.

Features: Camry Altise, Ateva and Grande

Standard features for the Camry Altise included 16-inch steel wheels, a four speaker sound system with an MP3-compatible CD player, air conditioning, a power adjustable driver’s seat (with lumbar adjustment), cruise control with speed alert, automatic headlights, steering wheel audio controls, a 60/40 split and folding rear seat, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, tinted windows, an alarm and immobiliser.

The Camry Ateva was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with six-stack CD player, dual zone climate control air conditioning, an eight way power adjustable driver’s seat, a six-way power adjustable passenger seat, front fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, handbrake and gearshift lever and trip computer.

The range-topping Camry Grande was fitted with a four-disc CD player but added a DVD-based satellite navigation system, leather seats and door trim, Bluetooth connectivity (with steering wheel controls), rain-sensing wipers, power sunroof, powered rear blind and woodgrain trim. From April 2008, the Grande was fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels.

Features: Camry Sportivo

Compared to the Altise, the Camry Sportivo was differentiated by its 17-inch alloy wheels with sports suspension (with in-built rebound springs in the dampers), a six speaker sound system with six-stack CD player, sports seats with eight-way adjustment for the driver and six-way adjustment for the front passenger, trip computer and sports body kit, including a unique front bumper, side skirts, rear apron and rear spoiler.

The Sportivo was fitted with a V-shaped brace behind its rear seat such that the 60/40 split-fold rear seat was replaced by a ski port. The Sportivo was also fitted with underbody stabilising braces for greater rear-end rigidity.

2008 Camry Ateva L

In April 2008, a limited-run ‘L’ edition of the Ateva variant was released with 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seats and boot lid spoiler.

2009 Camry Touring

In May 2009, a limited-run Touring variant was released. Relative to the Altise, the Touring was distinguished by its 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with a six-stack CD player, dual zone air conditioning and reversing camera. Visually, the Touring variant could be identified by its Sportivo front mask – including Sportivo headlights and fog lights – and rear spoiler.

Related links

• Press Kit: Toyota XV40.I Camry (July 2006)
• Press Release: Toyota XV40.I Camry – VSC and traction control (August 2007)
• Press Release: Toyota XV40.I Aurion Touring Special Edition (SE) (October 2007)
• Press Release: Toyota XV40.I Aurion Touring (April 2008)

Review: Toyota XV40.II Camry (2009-11)

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Overview

Released in July 2009, the Toyota XV40 Series II (XV40.II) Camry introduced improved equipment levels, greater fuel efficiency and a subtle facelift. The 2.4-litre engine had revised electronic throttle mapping, a one-way clutch for the alternator pulley (reducing belt tension and crankshaft drag) and idle-speed under deceleration reduced from 1100 rpm to 800 rpm. Furthermore, the five-speed automatic had revised shift points and ‘flex lock-up control’ to control the amount of torque distributed from the lock-up clutch and torque converter.

Visually, the XV40.II Camry could be identified by its curved grille bars, larger headlights and air intake, new front bumper and LED tail-lights. Inside, there were new interior trim colours and seat fabrics, updated instruments and a darker upper instrument panel. In May 2011, the five-speed manual transmission was discontinued. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Safety equipment

Compared to its XV40.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the XV40.II Camry was extended to include front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags (previously omitted from the XV40.I Altise).

ANCAP crash testing

In ANCAP crash testing, models manufactured from May 2011 received a five star adult occupant protection rating – with a score of 33.13 – following the introduction of a front passenger seatbelt reminder and improved driver knee protection. In the offset test, protection from serious lower leg injury was marginal for the front passenger. In the side impact test, there was a slight risk of serious chest injury. The Camry also earned an additional two points in the pole test.

Features

Standard features for the Toyota Camry Altise were extended to include a six speaker sound system with a 3.5 mm auxiliary input and Bluetooth hands-free telephone connectivity and a 12 volt power outlet.

The Ateva and Sportivo were further equipped with dual zone climate control air conditioning, a 4.3-inch colour LCD display with reversing camera. The Grande was also fitted with an eight speaker sound system, rear parking sensors, keyless entry and start and an electrochromatic rear-view mirror.

2010 Camry Touring

In June 2010, a limited-run Touring variant was released. Compared to the Altise, the Touring featured 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, six-disc CD changer, dual zone climate control air conditioning, a reversing camera and leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift. Visually, the Touring could be identified by its Sportivo radiator grille, headlights, front fog lights and rear spoiler.

Brochure

• Brochure: Toyota XV40.II Camry (April 2010)

Related links

• Press Release: Toyota XV40.II Camry (July 2009)
• Press Release: Toyota XV40.II Camry Touring (June 2010)
• Flyer: Toyota XV40.II Camry Touring (March 2011)
• Wikipedia.org: Toyota XV40 Camry