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2012 Chinese Toyota Camry

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This is the Camry for the Chinese market. Not one of these copies, but the real thing from Toyota.
Looking a bit more like the Japanese version of the same car.
New lights, bumpers etc…

Is this better looking than our US Camry?

Conversation 14 comments

  1. It is absolutely better looking than the US Camry, even the Japanese Market Hybrid Only Camry is better looking that the US Camry.

    I am not sure what Toyota was thinking. All I see in the US Camry is a mix of Acura like styling up front with Subara Legacy styling in the back with plain ol' Camry in the middle.

    I guess styling is watered down when our economy doesn't support people having income to buy the US equivalent of cars we see in other countries with much nicer features. As an example look at how stripped down the new iQ will be. Auto climate control is available overseas. Expect that feature in the US and you can forget about it.

    Check luxury brands and you will see comparable equipment availability because for the rich price doesn't matter.

    What I can't understand though is how a factory Navi costs upwards of $2000 in 2011 when something like an iPad that is far more feature rich and powerful sells for only $500?

  2. These $2000 in car navigations are still a mystery to me too.
    There must be quite a profit made on these.

    Even a $200 smartphone works pretty well, and they include Bluetooth so the sound comes from the car speakers.

    Some smaller screen GPS options are available, mostly from Nissan and VW, for about $500/$600.

  3. In an age of smartphones, in-dash navigation is as useful as a console car phone.

    This Camry looks so much better than the NA version. Why couldn't they have slapped "SE" on the back and call it a day? It's been done before! Remember the "All-trac"?

  4. It's just another flavor of vanilla. Same car with different plastic bits on each end. I don't like the US version, but I certainly don't envy the Chinese getting this.

  5. I guess since I'm not a huge Camry fan, I can't remotely tell the difference. You've seen one Camry, you've seen 'em all…

  6. What's the point of introducing a car with only the bumpers, lights and other minor trim changed from the original version?

    Seems like a lot of work and expense – just to end up with what is really the same car.

    If local regulations don't require these changes, then why go through the motions?

    I realize that introducing a car as "only for the Chinese market" gives Toyota an important marketing strategy. But the changes are so minor, it doesn't seem to be worth the trouble.

  8. I'll give credit where credit is due… This looks better that Toyotas Camry. Now the qquestion is, is it a better car?

  9. That car is not only for the Chinese market: There 2 versions of Camry: "Core" and "Prestige". In US you get only "Core" labeled Camry, in China and Thailand you get "Prestige" labeled Camry, in Australia you get "core" as Camry (I4 only)and "prestige" as Aurion (V6 engines only). All complicated …
    To the differences: yes, just minor: bumper, grill, lights and some interior stuff….

  10. The styling changes are better and more upscale than the US ones, perhaps they were afraid people would confuse the Camry with a Lexus? (insane laughter) Ok.. maybe not.. but the upright grille and wide taillights used to be midsize sedan hallmarks in the US, now it seems everybody is running toward awkward rear clusters and slatty half-grilles in front.

  11. SHUT THE HELL UP! You talk like you are the one paying for the development. That said, I would have traded my 07 XLE for this hands down in a heartbeat, the USDM doesnt look like a mainstream car, it looks like it was designed by Someone but not a major company like Toyota.

  12. Anonymous poster said it best about the current Camry being sold here in America: "the USDM doesnt look like a mainstream car, it looks like it was designed by Someone but not a major company like Toyota." and there in lies the rub about Toyota's decision to sell a dumb down version in the U.S.

    Surely, their contempt for this market is more than apparent if not obvious.

  13. I don't like either of them, but I wouldn't be suprised if that's what the next ES looks like. Toyota seems to be doing what GM and Ford used to do that got them into trouble. Sitting on their laurels and believing that people will buy whatever they build, and they will, for a while. Since quality is pretty much even now, styling and features make the difference. That's where these cars are failing.

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