I would call it reassuring, mind you, and that is often the criteria new-car shoppers are looking to satisfy. In fact, the Camry

The Camry had a soothing effect on my 'driving personality', transforming me into an easygoing driver. (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, Canadian Auto Press)

had a soothing effect on my 'driving personality', transforming me into an easygoing driver. I adopted a, "We'll get there when we get there" attitude, which, to anyone who knows me, might seem like a stretch of Mrs. Incrediblean proportions.

One thing that wasn't stretched was my arm strength, because this Camry is equipped with variable power assist steering. Spinning the wheel while stationary didn't overtax my limited parallel parking skills, or any of my parking skills for that matter, and then when the car was in full motion the steering stiffened substantially. At highway

At highway speeds the Camry required only subtle turns of the wheel to affect the desired course. (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, Canadian Auto Press)

speeds it required only subtle turns of the wheel to affect the desired course. I wouldn't call it tight, as it was obviously calibrated for careful lane changes and such, but it was another aspect of the driving equation that I found reassuring.

Another criteria that I expect many in the market for a midsize-to-largish sedan are looking for is the ratio of standard features to price, so I will do something here that I am loathe to do: list a whole bunch of standard features and perhaps a price for a feature package or engine upgrade. Yes, I know you can get all this information in the specs section of this website or at www.toyota.ca, but that won't allow me to show the Camry's value proposition here and now.