The interior of the latest-generation Camry is a definite improvement over its predecessor. Soft-touch surfaces abound and the stitched and padded dash lend a slight upscale air. But the climate control knobs? They can use some help.
I noted in a previous post that I appreciated the big legible typeface on the infotainment pod, and I stand by that assessment, despite the fact that Magrath called me an old feeble man because of it. But the climate control knobs and buttons seem like they were plucked from an old parts bin.
The quality of the plastics on the silver knobs and buttons remind me of a child's toy. They lack a substantial feel and have a slight wobble when touched. The detents also have a plasticky feel. The black buttons are fine, and perhaps that's why I'm nitpicking the silver controls.
I've always been a proponent of the three-knob climate control layout, but the Camry's doesn't bother me that much. Then again, if our long-termer had automatic climate control, this wouldn't even be an issue. I normally just set it and forget it.
Mark Takahashi, Automotive Editor
tjpark01 says:
11:47 AM, 01/17/12
even though this isn't streamlined like a lot of newer designs. It works in the real world. I wouldn't expect this type of toy-like interface in a Lexus or other premium brand. But for a Camry, it's fine. People who buy this car care more about whether it works in 10 years than if it's cool. Darn if it aint ugly and old fashioned.
se_riously says:
11:48 AM, 01/17/12
I own a '12 Camry SE, and I agree that the climate knobs are the cheapest feeling part of the interior. But, it's something that I considered to be acceptable for $23K out the door.
mercedesfan says:
12:09 PM, 01/17/12
I actually felt this way about the climate control knobs in my wife's previous E-Class. They were made form pretty chintzy feeling plastic and clashed with what was otherwise a beautiful cabin. It is amazing how something as small as this can leave a lasting imprint.
ed124c says:
12:26 PM, 01/17/12
Hell, it took me 60 years to get wobbly knobs.
Seriously, I have played with most of the knobs on the SE and didn't notice any wobbling. That might be because I have never owned a luxury car. Thank goodness... I guess.
I have a question: My Outback 3 knob system has the third knob rotating to five positions, while this Camry has only 4. The fifth would be windshield defroster by air. I see that that function is one of the silvery buttons above the black buttons. OK, here's the question: If the silvery defrost button is engaged, does the green light of the right black knob go out?
zcalvert says:
01:45 PM, 01/17/12
I know, it's obviously not a huge deal... but its the kind of thing that would annoy me if it was my car.
I'm curious how much it actually costs for a manufacturer to move one tangible "step" upward in quality for a part like this. I can't imagine it's much.
kplacer says:
02:23 PM, 01/17/12
The "child's toy" reference is what crossed my mind when I looked at the pic, even before I read the entry. Perhaps Toyota bought the bankrupt stock from GM's Fisher-Price interior era.
The top edge on that window (the one with "Security" and "Passenger" printed on it) seems pretty rough or unfinished too.
Seems Toyota hasn't totally learned that interior cost-cutting is a fool;s game.
church123 says:
02:37 PM, 01/17/12
+1 on the interior cost cutting comment kplacer. I don't think this setup _looks_ bad for the class of car it is in, but if it _feels_ cheap, that' does a lot of damage. This is one of the things that put me off buying an Audi in the late 90's, early 2000's. They looked great, the interiors were awesome, but a lot of the parts felt like they were going to break in my hands. Yeah, so I'm thick fingered and clumsy, but if it feels cheap, that sucks.
Automakers would do well to cut their costs in areas that can't easily be seen or touched. Then again, maybe Toyota has already done all that on the Camry. $23k for this car, inflation adjusted and fighting all the dollar devaluation, is pretty damn cheap.
gslippy says:
03:37 PM, 01/17/12
So much better than a Kia, right?
j2j says:
04:41 PM, 01/17/12
"So much better than a Kia, right?"
- The Optima's switchgear and knobs feel solid - very similar to the ones in the C Class (pre-refresh) and GLK.
dibbyd says:
05:56 PM, 01/17/12
I feel vindicated! Since I took a little flack for my first post ever in response to Ed Hellwig's update on December 23, it's nice to know I wasn't imagining things. Takahashi, did you happen to flick the knob while you were at it? Oh, nevermind...
panamera4 says:
07:31 PM, 01/17/12
@mercedesfan: I never really noticed that issue in my W211s, what bothered me more was the removal of the charcoal filter and REST function when I went from the 500 to the 550.
I believe the interior quality of this car is tolerable for its price point, if the knobs don't fall off then it should be fine.
emajor says:
08:15 AM, 01/18/12
Agreed that those knobs are a low point; you notice it immediately. The rest of the interior is fairly nice though and much better than the previous generation. Toyota needs to look at the rotary knobs Chevy puts in the Cruze for example of how to do this properly. Solid, metallic feel with clear detents. I'd rather have cheaper lower door and dash trim that I don't touch than rickety switchgear that I do.