All new Camry 3.5 V6 Test Drive
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 553
From: Ca
All new Camry 3.5 V6 Test Drive
I test drove the new 3.5L V6 Camry today.
Very surprised!
It has more bottom end punch than the new Lexus 4GS!!
The steering feel, and turn-in is more responsive than any Camry ever.
However the ride is firmer than ever.
Cruising along the highway, there is more noise than ever.
The noise emanating from both the engine and tires.
The Camry has much more noise than the new Lexus 4GS.
I also tested back to back the old Camry V6, and the old Camry was much smoother riding and quieter...
Very surprised!
It has more bottom end punch than the new Lexus 4GS!!
The steering feel, and turn-in is more responsive than any Camry ever.
However the ride is firmer than ever.
Cruising along the highway, there is more noise than ever.
The noise emanating from both the engine and tires.
The Camry has much more noise than the new Lexus 4GS.
I also tested back to back the old Camry V6, and the old Camry was much smoother riding and quieter...
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
You might be getting tricked. The "bottom end punch" could just be overly aggressive throttle mapping in the Toyota vs. the Lexus. That was the case in my 2GR-FE powered RAV4 V6. 10-20% pedal in that car would basically give you FULL throttle. I too thought it was quite responsive and had lots of bottom-end torque on the test drive, but it was just the insane throttle mapping.
I agree with you on much of the rest. My folks have a 2012 XLE 4-cylinder. Ride is definitely firm [XLE], and there is more noise than you'd expect, along with some really funny whirring mechanical noises from the engine bay (poor or minimal NVH suppression). Absolutely can't stand the electric power steering either. When I drove it, it was like it couldn't adjust the steering in fine enough increments to the point that the car was zig-zagging very slightly on the highway and couldn't track exactly how I needed it to to follow the road. Extremely annoying!!!
I agree with you on much of the rest. My folks have a 2012 XLE 4-cylinder. Ride is definitely firm [XLE], and there is more noise than you'd expect, along with some really funny whirring mechanical noises from the engine bay (poor or minimal NVH suppression). Absolutely can't stand the electric power steering either. When I drove it, it was like it couldn't adjust the steering in fine enough increments to the point that the car was zig-zagging very slightly on the highway and couldn't track exactly how I needed it to to follow the road. Extremely annoying!!!
Last edited by SteVTEC; Jul 9, 2012 at 03:35 AM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 0
From: NYC/ATL
Have not driven the new Camry but the previous model, the 3.5 seems like to much engine for the cars lack of suspension and feel.
I have always felt Toyotas cars (Camry & Avalon) come out of the gate feeling solid and good but with some mileage and use they develop this soft floaty feeling that almost gives you a wow factor of what was that, kinda like muscle cars that have too much power but the suspension was not upgraded
I have always felt Toyotas cars (Camry & Avalon) come out of the gate feeling solid and good but with some mileage and use they develop this soft floaty feeling that almost gives you a wow factor of what was that, kinda like muscle cars that have too much power but the suspension was not upgraded
I felt the same way with the new Camry ride and noise vs the last generation.I owned an '11 Camry hybrid that was rear ended..
The new Camry does have better handling.I'd rather have the better ride quality.
The new Camry does have better handling.I'd rather have the better ride quality.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Have not driven the new Camry but the previous model, the 3.5 seems like to much engine for the cars lack of suspension and feel.
I have always felt Toyotas cars (Camry & Avalon) come out of the gate feeling solid and good but with some mileage and use they develop this soft floaty feeling that almost gives you a wow factor of what was that, kinda like muscle cars that have too much power but the suspension was not upgraded
I have always felt Toyotas cars (Camry & Avalon) come out of the gate feeling solid and good but with some mileage and use they develop this soft floaty feeling that almost gives you a wow factor of what was that, kinda like muscle cars that have too much power but the suspension was not upgraded
Anyways I hope the new Camrys turn out to be pretty good. My folks got the 4-cylinder which it was obviously designed for, and as far as I can tell it drives 'ok' but not great. Not being able to get it to track the way I wanted with the EPS and having to zig-zag down the highway a bit doesn't give me much confidence though.
I test drove the new 3.5L V6 Camry today.
Very surprised!
It has more bottom end punch than the new Lexus 4GS!!
The steering feel, and turn-in is more responsive than any Camry ever.
However the ride is firmer than ever.
Cruising along the highway, there is more noise than ever.
The noise emanating from both the engine and tires.
The Camry has much more noise than the new Lexus 4GS.
I also tested back to back the old Camry V6, and the old Camry was much smoother riding and quieter...
Very surprised!
It has more bottom end punch than the new Lexus 4GS!!
The steering feel, and turn-in is more responsive than any Camry ever.
However the ride is firmer than ever.
Cruising along the highway, there is more noise than ever.
The noise emanating from both the engine and tires.
The Camry has much more noise than the new Lexus 4GS.
I also tested back to back the old Camry V6, and the old Camry was much smoother riding and quieter...
10 Char
Trending Topics
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe KucinskiGuest
Posts: n/a
Have not driven the new Camry but the previous model, the 3.5 seems like to much engine for the cars lack of suspension and feel.
I have always felt Toyotas cars (Camry & Avalon) come out of the gate feeling solid and good but with some mileage and use they develop this soft floaty feeling that almost gives you a wow factor of what was that, kinda like muscle cars that have too much power but the suspension was not upgraded
I have always felt Toyotas cars (Camry & Avalon) come out of the gate feeling solid and good but with some mileage and use they develop this soft floaty feeling that almost gives you a wow factor of what was that, kinda like muscle cars that have too much power but the suspension was not upgraded
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 553
From: Ca
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
