Monday Drive - The Camry Altise

Had this weekend the Camry Altise for a test drive which concluded this morning with me driving it to Hurstville and back to the dealership.

We have been debating two cars – the Camry and the Mazda 6 and the Camry was the first one I have actually driven. What I was expecting was a little car with minimal room and base features but I was really surprised when this car that was fractionally smaller than a Ford Falcon that had a very sleek look and a very functional and modern looking interior.

Driving, a 4cyl 2.3L engine was fine and had a very light steering. The driving seat was very comfortable with the door armrest and the console perfect for putting your elbows on… very important! I hate cars that you feel squeezed in or uncomfortable.

The only downside is that the rear window is very small and the rear passenger windows are also very small and high. Kate being a tall 7yr old has the window sill at about the level of the top of her head and Brookie without a booster seat cant see out the side at all. For the driver, the viewing is improved by good side mirrors that have a concave (or is it convex?) shape which means you can see, but you need those mirrors.

Also with a high rear, we’ll really consider taking the parking sensors as an optional extra.

All in all though, we were very impressed and when we parked it at the shops next to a Mazda 6, it was clearly the bigger and more roomier car and I think at around the same price…

Good car… but dollars talk, so we’ll wait and see...