2012 Toyota Camry LE: First Look

Here’s a first look at the latest Ride of the Week, the 2012 Toyota Camry LE.

The Camry is all new for 2012, the seventh-generation model of the best-selling car in America. It was recently selected among the winners in the sedan category of Parents magazine and Edmunds.com’s Best Family Cars of 2012 for its safety, reliability, performance, interior and exterior styling and family-friendly features. My family of four has already begun putting it to the test, and so far, the results are mostly positive. When it comes to bang for your buck, the Camry is a serious contender.

Including V6-powered and hybrid versions, Toyota makes no less than eight different Camry models, ranging from the base L to the top-of-the-line XLE. Four-cylinder models include the L, LE, SE and XLE. The sportier SE and more luxurious XLE are available with a V6. The Camry Hybrid comes in LE or XLE trim. Prices start at $22,055 for the Camry L and rise to $30,115 for the priciest XLE V6 model.

The differences between the base L and the test car’s LE trim include automatic headlights, variable intermittent wipers, chrome exterior trim on the rocker panels, remote keyless entry, tilt/telescope steering wheel with Bluetooth and audio controls, an extra 12V power outlet and Toyota’s Display Audio system. The upgraded audio features a 6.1-inch touchscreen with iPod connectivity and Bluetooth streaming audio. The test car is also equipped with an 8-way power driver’s seat, a $440 option, and a set of carpets that includes a trunk mat for another $225. With an MSRP of $22,500 and a $760 destination charge, the test car shows a total window sticker price of $23,925.

Quick Specs: 2012 Toyota Camry LE