Toyota set up a short autocross course in an empty parking lot so that we could run the Camry through its paces. While not long

The 17-inch rims and performance tires on the SE V6 are immediately noticeable, as was the sport model's tuned suspension set up. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

enough to give it a thorough shakedown, the short slalom, few tight turns and long sweeping curve ending in a braking, were ample to test the differences between models. The 17-inch rims and performance tires on the SE V6 were immediately noticeable, as was the sport model's tuned suspension set up. It was much more responsive to turn-in than the base model or top-line XLE, but nevertheless was still out of its element on the track. Understeer is the order of the day, which loosely translated means when high speed and the need to change direction combine forces against the Camry it leans quite dramatically in the opposite direction that the steering wheel is turning and the front tires give way, pushing the car away from the curve. While this doesn't sound ideal, it's a heck of a lot better for the average driver than too much oversteer, which does the opposite and allows the rear wheels to break traction, swinging the rear end of the car around to meet the front - not good by the way. A talented performance driver can make oversteer work in his or her favor, but most of us poor clods, who don't have the necessary track time so as to learn to compensate by adding opposite lock steering, tend to panic and either do nothing at all or turn the wheel in the wrong

The Camry might be the ideal performance sedan for the average driver. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

direction, either of which will probably spin the car right around, hopefully only once. So, in the case of the Camry, understeer is a good and faithful friend and thus much has been dialed into its general suspension/steering geometry in order to keep customers facing the right way on the road, and resultantly more in control. For that reason the Camry might be the ideal performance sedan for the average driver. Fact is, there's no fiddling around with a manual-type shifter to take your mind away from staying between the lines, its handling limitations will keep you well within check, and when its tires finally give way to the limits of adhesion it'll safely nudge a little off-line prompting you to slow down. Also, the brakes are superb and ABS is standard across the line.