OK, now for the best part. The key turns, the tachometer springs into action...but that's about as far as the signs of engine life go. No vroom, not even a hum; no jolt, not even a sway - the engine is all set to boogie, and, aside from some slight vibration at idle, it's hard to even tell it's running.How did they do that? How did they create this whisper-quiet engine? The combination of hydraulic engine mounts, extra insulation and rubber mounted chassis subframes is one explanation.
And, as with the Lexus, the Camry has a fully independent suspension, so it feels as if it's soaking up bumps, potholes and other irregularities in the road.
The overall handling was impressive, but not exceptional. You don't get the sporty, road-hugging feeling that a lot of drivers love. But the steering is accurate and quick to respond, and if the Camry's cornering isn't exactly zealous, it's certainly confident.
Confident is a word that also applies to our test car's ability to stop. The brakes were excellent on both wet and dry pavement, with good stopping distances and very good control. Our test car was equipped with ABS, which was an extra-cost option. But considering the importance of this active safety feature, and the importance of safety in new-car buying today, we think ABS should be standard equipment on all models.