Introduction
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Since its total re-design three years ago, the Camry has been Toyota's bread-and-butter car, the all-around midsize family ma-chine that is by far the company's biggest seller. Like its sedan and coupe siblings, the Camry Wagon is meant to meet the needs of a wide range of buyers, from those seeking solid basic transportation to the luxury-minded. That's a tall order.
The Camry faces some tough opponents. Honda, for example, offers the excellent Accord Wagon, similarly equipped, for about the same price as a Camry. It's possible to buy a Ford Taurus Wagon or Mercury Sable Wagon with more features for a little less. And there are a few other manufacturers that have wagons that compete with the Camry in terms of price, package and size, too.
But Toyota didn't earn its reputation with smoke and mirrors. The Camry Wagon has been given the virtues it needs - style, solidity and comfort, among them - to face head-to-head comparison with almost everyone else's wagons and not be found lacking.
One major Camry advantage is its use of major exterior, structural and mechanical components from the more expensive Lexus ES 300. In theory, a luxury car with a few amenities removed should be an impressive product. That's how it works in the Camry's case.
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