Old versus new Camry
-Camry owners will be instantly familiar with the new model. After 10 million Camry sales worldwide, you'd reckon Toyota would have it sorted by now.
-But the jury is out on the large, transparent white panel in the middle of the dashboard, which surrounds the radio display screen. Said to be inspired by Apple computers, it looks quite smart during the day - but at night on dark roads, it's too bright and there's no dimmer switch........It's like driving around with the interior light on - a serious distraction.
-Speaking of light, the new projector-style low-beam headlights are an improvement but high-beam performance has diminished - the Camry's funky new light design means the high-beam lamp has a smaller reflector. Drivers who travel on country roads at night will notice the newer version doesn't throw light as far down the road as the previous model. Form overruled function.
-Inside, there's more room compared with the old car, but the boot is a little smaller. Another blot: the boot lid hinges still intrude into luggage space when it is closed (the newer multi-link hinge systems, such as those in the Ford Falcon and new Holden Commodore, are more space-efficient).
-Another oddity is that a pair of neat gas struts prop up the bonnet but an agricultural-looking tensioner keeps the boot lid aloft. Given customers are more likely to open the boot than the bonnet, perhaps Toyota spent the money on the wrong end of the car.