The Toyota Camry was totally redesigned last year, but the new look did not stray too far from that of previous models. We bet that Toyota was watching carefully when Ford launched a radical new Taurus in 1996, with oval-themed styling that proved too avant-garde for conservative buyers. Ford lost quite a few sales before retreating to a safer design. So while Toyota claims to have put more excitement into the current Camry, in truth it looks a lot like the old Camry. Ironically, the most-changed elements are the rear deck and taillights, and these have a distinctly Taurus flavor. The front of the Camry appears to have a bit of Lincoln LS in it, thanks to the way the grille cuts into the top edge of the front bumper.
The Camry does present a more sculptured appearance, with slightly flared wheel arches and a distinct dual crease line in the hood, the latter leading nicely into the grille. To some extent its smooth lines camouflage its height; the current car stands two inches taller than the pre-2002 model.