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The Toyota Camry was totally redesigned last year, but the new look did not stray too far from that of previous models. We bet that Toyota was watching carefully when Ford launched a radical new Taurus in 1996, with oval-themed styling that proved too avantgarde for conservative buyers. Ford lost quite a few sales before retreating to a safer design.

So while Toyota claims to have put more excitement into the current Camry, in truth it looks a lot like the old Camry. Ironically, the most-changed elements are the rear deck and taillights, and these have a distinctly Taurus flavor. The front of the Camry appears to have a bit of Lincoln LS in it, thanks to the way the grille cuts into the top edge of the front bumper.

The Toyota Camry does present a more sculptured appearance, with slightly flared wheel arches and a distinct dual crease line in the hood, the latter leading nicely into the grille. To some extent its smooth lines camouflage its height; the current car stands two inches taller than the pre-2002 model.

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The Toyota Camry has a comfortable interior with controls that are simple and easy to operate. Everything is laid out simply.

Radio and climate controls are mounted high in the center of the dash for easy access. Three big knobs mounted prominently in the center of the dashboard are used to manually control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning on SE and LE models. XLE models get automatic climate control with a smooth tactile feel that reminds us of Lexus, which set the modern standard. The stereo uses big buttons and knobs that are easy to operate, whether scanning for radio stations or moving between songs on a CD. A navigation system is available for the XLE. We found the audio quality poor on the LE's optional JBL system.

The instruments are located in a relatively small pod right in front of the steering wheel, with a large half-moon tachometer and matching speedometer. The fuel and temperature gauges are located within the two larger instruments. Lights and windshield wiper/washer controls are on stalks on the steering column, leaving the left lower edge of the dash free of switches.

Camry's dashboard is relatively plain, with no large curved surfaces, and it is set relatively high. The dash blends nicely into the door panels, but the cover for the passenger-side air bag is noticeable as the seams show clearly. Many other manufacturers have managed to make the passenger-side air bag invisible.

A wide center console separates the two front bucket seats and contains useful storage areas. The parking brake on the LE and SE is also located in the center console, whereas the XLE gets a foot-operated parking brake.

Rear-seat passengers will find the accommodations quite pleasant for a mid-size passenger car. Head- and legroom have increased compared to the previous Toyota Camry. The rear seat splits 60/40, allowing long objects to pass through from the trunk, although the opening is smaller than it might be. The trunk itself is a decent size and shape. Gooseneck hinges steal valuable space, but are hidden under a cover, reducing the chance that they will damage trunk contents as the lid is closed.