I drove the Camry immediately after spending some time in a new, fully loaded Ford Taurus Limited. While the Taurus is a newer, more glamorously styled car with more bells and whistles than the Camry, which looks kinda stodgy by comparison, I had only to spend a few minutes in the Camry to discern the major differences between these two upscale family sedans. These differences can be described in two words: continual improvement.

When you drive the Camry, you are reminded that Toyota continually improves, tiny step by tiny step, its vehicles. Unlike the Taurus, which Ford ignored for years and only recently paid any real attention to, Toyota never took its eye off the ball with the Camry. Toyota has relentlessly tweaked and refined and improved the Camry for decades now, and the results show. The Camry is simply a far more refined vehicle to drive and to be in. The powertrain is smoother, quieter, and more satisfying to operate. All of the controls are nicely damped and feel great. The car drives with a sense of purpose. I'm trying to describe intangibles here, but if you drive these two cars back-to-back, you'll see what I mean. And if you're in the market for either one of these cars -- the 2011 Ford Taurus or the 2011 Toyota Camry -- I do think you should drive them back-to-back.

- Joe DeMatio,Deputy Editor

The Camry XLE makes the Ford Taurus I drove last night feel like a sports car in corners, so understeer prone is the Toyota's chassis and so devoid of feeling is its steering. The Camry has a silky-smooth powertrain, though, that offers plenty of passing power at the stomp of your foot. As Joe mentioned, its overall feeling of refinement is superior to that of the Taurus. Still, it's not hard to find weaknesses in assembly quality in the Camry's cabin trim. The interior generally uses very nice materials and is nicely comfortable and spacious, though. I agree 100 percent with Joe when he encourages prospective owners to test-drive both cars, not to mention the Honda Accord and the Dodge Charger. Each has a very different feel.

Remote start, a $529 option, was a pleasant surprise from a Toyota product and came in very handy on a wintry Michigan morning. Options I was less keen about include the simulated woodgrain inside and the TRD wheels, which look quite out of place on this Camry (they'd look cool on a Scion TC, though).

- Rusty Blackwell,Copy Editor

See All 10 Photos

Yep, that's the same basic 3.5-liter V-6 used in the Lotus Evora. Smooth, powerful, comfortable at any speed or rpm. Of course, the Camry doesn't compare well otherwise with a mid-engine sports car, but within its own segment it does considerably better. Enthusiasts love to rag on the plain-Jane Toyota four-door, but really, it doesn't drive all that differently from any other front-wheel-drive, mid-size car. There isn't a single one that offers what I'd consider really good steering (the marginally mid-size Suzuki Kizashi comes the closest) and all suffer due to the amount of torque traveling through the front wheels.

Where the Camry really falls down is in the styling department. The exterior maladies are well known, and the interior, though well assembled, has all the character and charm of an east German apartment complex. And this was in a fully loaded model costing nearly $37,000. Considering all the technology and style one can buy in a Ford Fusion or a Hyundai Sonata, I'd say the Camry has some catching up to do. Granted, "catching up" is a relative term for a perennial bestseller, but that number-one spot is not a birthright.

- David Zenlea,Assistant Editor

I happened to visit my mother on the weekend I had the Camry, and it gave me a good chance to compare the latest Camry with her seven-year-old model. While the seven-year-old car has aged fairly gracefully, it's apparent that Toyota has taken care to continually improve and refine what is one of the most popular cars in America. Of course, this Camry XLE test car is fully optioned, having navigation, a backup camera, XM radio, special wheels, and remote start, among other optional features. Still, several of those options could be deleted and the Camry would still be a very polished vehicle. The V-6 and six-speed transmission are well matched, allowing the driver to call up extra power for accelerating and passing with little drama and no delay. The interior is comfortable, the controls are easy to use, and the trunk is quite spacious. The Camry isn't a car for enthusiasts, but its enduring popularity proves that Toyota is doing something right here. With the Camry, Toyota is sending a message to the American car buyer that this is a car that will provide them with practicality, reliability, and excellent resale value. That's not a bad recipe for success.

- Amy Skogstrom,Managing Editor

See All 10 Photos

2011Toyota CamryXLE

Base price (with destination): $30,130

Price as tested: $36,487

Standard Equipment:

3.5-liter V-6 engine

6-speed automatic transmission

4-wheel disc brakes with ABS

Traction control system

Tire pressure monitoring system

Fog lamps

Daytime-running lights

Leather-trimmed seats

Dual-zone automatic climate control

JBL AM/FM 6-disc CD changer

Power tilt/slide moonroof

40/20/40 split rear seat

Power windows/locks/mirrors

Tilt/telescoping steering column

Auto-dimming rearview mirror

Remote keyless entry

Options on this vehicle:

Upgrade TRD 10-spoke alloy wheels -- $2100XLE extra value package #3 -- $1810

Voice activated DVD navigation system

Backup camera

JBL AM/FM 4-disc in-dash CD changer

XM satellite radio

MP3/WMA playback capability

iPod connectivity

Bluetooth connectivity

Auxiliary audio input

8 speakers

XLE extra value package #1-- $890

Smart key system

Push-button start

Heated front seats

Remote start -- $529Preferred accessory package-- $476

Carpet/trunk mat set

First aid kit

Rear spoiler -- $303Body side molding -- $209Cargo tote -- $40

Key options not on vehicle:

None

Fuel economy:20/29/23 mpg (city/hwy/combined)

Engine:

Size: 3.5L DOHC V-6

Horsepower: 268 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque: 248 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm

Drive: Front-wheel

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Curb weight:3516 lb

Wheels/tires:18-inch TRD 10-spoke alloy wheels, 225/45R18 Michelin Pilot MXM4 all-season tires

Competitors: Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Chevy Malibu, Subaru Legacy

See All 10 Photos