The Camry has been the best-selling car in America for four years running and is completely new for 2007. Naturally we were anxious to get our hands on one and when our green LE appeared we were not disappointed.

Toyota describes the new exterior styling this way:

"An all-new exterior design provides the 2007 Camry with a visual impact that signals a departure from the upright style of its predecessor. This new Camry shape is athletic and modern, with a long, high-visibility cabin set on a horizontal underbody with strong, rounded planes and elongated structures…

"As a final design touch, these same panels feature an eye-appealing appearance. The new Camry's front fascia, defined by hood, grille, bumper and logo, is dignified and innovative and is completed by headlights that incorporate a projector-type low beam that offer both beauty and high performance."

We didn't care much for the looks, frankly. Indeed, we haven't liked Toyota exterior design, in general, for the past few years. This is, of course, the most subjective of subjects and Toyota's sales success would suggest that real-world car buyers are on Toyota's page and not ours.

The new Camry is about the same physical size as before. They increased the wheelbase (109.3 in., up from 107.1 in.) but maintained the same overall length, with a shortened rear overhang.

Wheels have been upgraded for all four Camry lines. Gone are the 15-inch wheels previously standard on the LE. For 2007, the LE gets 16-inch wheels of either steel or aluminum. Brake discs also were enlarged for improved feel and stopping power. Front suspension is via MacPherson struts. At the rear, a dual-link strut system is used.

The entry-level CE gets a lengthy list of standard features, including: halogen headlamps with an automatic on/off feature, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, a six-speaker 160-watt digital AM/FM/CD audio system with an auxiliary audio jack and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a five-speed manual transmission. It also comes with 16-inch wheels as noted above, a full complement of seven airbags, a vehicle immobilizer and four-wheel disc brakes.

The Camry LE (which we tested) adds to the CE's package a long list of additional features, including: an in-key remote keyless entry and eight-way-adjustable power driver's seat. A V6 engine with dual exhausts is also available. Our test car had the standard four.

Options available include: a tilt/slide moonroof, heated seats, voice-command DVD navigation system, leather-trimmed seating, rear spoiler, Vehicle Stability Control and a Smart Entry and Smart Start system with push-button start that allows drivers to lock, unlock, or start the car just by carrying the Smart Key on his/her person.

One of the primary goals the new Camry's design team set for itself was to come up with a roomy and comfortable interior — in particular, fore-and-aft space — without significantly enlarging the Camry's exterior. It started by pushing the cowl forward for an increased sense of openness and room. Redesigned front seats also played a role in adding a feeling of spaciousness to the Camry cabin. In addition, seat-slide length was increased to accommodate comfortable driving positions for larger drivers and passengers (i.e., fatter Americans). Manual seats have a range of 10 inches, and power seats offer 10.2 inches of travel.

The Camry's seats use Toyota's Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) seat design. That means that each seat is designed to help manage whiplash injury. The 2007 Camry's door trim was redesigned for improved ease of use of the door handles and switches. Designers maximized the size of the space around the door handles for easier access.

In their search for increased space, designers did not overlook the Camry's trunk, either. With the 60/40 fold down rear seats, it offers 15 cubic feet of luggage space. With the reclining or fixed rear seats, it delivers 14.5 cubic feet of storage space. The trunk is equipped with a grocery hook and a utility box.

The 2AZ-FE engine, standard on the LE, is based on the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine from last year, but has been substantially upgraded. Intake and exhaust systems were redesigned. Toyota engineers also came up with strategies that reduce internal friction and enhance engine-block/crankcase rigidity. The result is improved power output with good fuel economy, and reduced noise and vibration levels. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual.

Our test car drove very well for a four-cylinder job, although we would have been happier with the optional V6. The transmission and clutch were smooth and precise in their operation.

The standard audio system in the 2007 Camry incorporates an AM/FM/six-disc in-dash CD changer with six speakers and uses a four-channel digital amplifier that produces 160 watts of output. Additionally, all audio systems are capable for reading CDs with MP3 files.

Our test car had the optional JBL premium sound system (which is standard in the XLE and Hybrid), and which offers AM/FM/six-disc in-dash CD changer with eight speakers and an eight-channel, 440-watt digital amplifier for low distortion and faithful reproduction of a wide range of musical types and styles. When a navigation system is added, the premium JBL system integrates that system and comes with a four-disc in-dash CD changer. The JBL audio system includes Bluetooth technology for hands-free telephone compatibility.

All 2007 Camrys come equipped with an Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and Brake Assist. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction control, an electronic system that controls engine output and brake application on individual wheels to help control loss of traction in turns, is available as an option.

Dual-stage advanced SRS airbags are standard on all Camry models. Standard seat-mounted side airbags and side curtain airbags help provide coverage for the length of the passenger compartment. A driver's knee airbag also is standard.

The standard four-cylinder LE model has EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy ratings of 24/33. The base price is $20,500. Our test car had several thousand dollars worth of options, but still came in at less than twenty-five grand. Despite a certain blandness, the new Camry does everything well and boasts of all the quality you would expect from Toyota. We have no doubt it will be as successful in the marketplace as its predecessor. R&D