2012 Toyota Camry SE: 2.5 or Six to Four?
March 26, 2012
I didn't drive our long-term Camry this weekend. Instead, I signed-out a short term V6-powered Camry SE just to see for myself if there's an appreciable enough difference to justify the $3,640 jump in price.
The short answer: No
As it is, the Camry is one of the quickest four-cylinder family sedans out there. I don't mean to underestimate the Camry's audience, but I contend that the vast majority of potential buyers will find the power more than adequate. I suppose if I lived on top of a very steep mountain with passing lanes, the V6 would make sense, but then again, it's not like the four-cylinder would be a pig. It would just sound a little ragged as you floor it.
If it's performance you're looking for, well, you probably shouldn't be considering a Camry in any guise. For the equivalent $30k we spent for our Camry SE, and if I was interested in more performance and personality, I'd choose the Dodge Charger or maybe spend a bit more for a Nissan Maxima.
What would you consider?
Mark Takahashi, Automotive Editor @ 6,285 miles
