I'm not sure my 250-mile trip to San Diego this week really qualifies as a road trip, but it was my longest stint in our 2012 Toyota Camry SE to date. In general, I like the changes that happened to the Camry during this redesign -- the more controlled ride quality, the extra precision in the steering. And I still think our car rides comfortably enough for an SE model.
But I sure wish the cabin was quieter. The previous two generations of the Camry were really serene, really sealed off from the noise of highway travel; although, in fairness, the last couple older-gen Camrys I drove were LE models.
Our SE is not serene to my ears. I felt like I was hearing everything around me, as if someone had pulled out some of the sound-deadening material. It was like being in an Accord or Altima.
Of course, I could be wrong about all this (I went to a few too many concerts with mosh pits back in my youth), so we'll have to see what other editors have to say as we rack up more miles.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 3,333 miles
ocramidajzj says:
03:26 AM, 02/ 2/12
Not surprising since that upgraded interior probably forced cost cutting in other areas. Or Toyota figured that a louder car is maybe "sportier" in some way.
blackdynamite1 says:
06:37 AM, 02/ 2/12
The car has lost a lot of weight in this generation, so they may have taken some out.
But other drivers have called the car pretty quiet.
The best way to confirm it is a comparison test, which have been slow in coming......
BD
lowprofile says:
06:40 AM, 02/ 2/12
I think we would've rather seen pics of you in the mosh pits than another pic of the camry. ;)
tjpark01 says:
07:41 AM, 02/ 2/12
Surprising to hear...Toyotas are usually very good about road and wind noise.
titancrew says:
07:52 AM, 02/ 2/12
Must be the mosh pits. Your track tested numbers don't support this conclusion. Sound level at 70mph cruise was 63.7 db. That's as quiet as your LT all electric Leaf and the much more expensive LT Buick Regal Turbo. And it's much quieter than the LT Sonata.
http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2012/01/2012-toyota-camry-se-track-tested.html#more
throwback says:
08:16 AM, 02/ 2/12
I have to agree with lowprofile, mosh pit pictures would certainly add to this post. You know we love you Erin.
alpha01 says:
08:25 AM, 02/ 2/12
@titancrew - While I admit to being a fan of the Camry and Toyota (can you imagine, we do exist?!), I also am (or try to be) all for fairness, and seeing the other side.
While the Camry may measure more quietly, perhaps it is a function of the type or tenor of noise. Maybe wind or road noise or engine noise is worse than in previous Camrys, despite the nubmers, and this creates the perception that Erin states. I imagine its the same kind of thing, where some cars that post impressive acceleration numbers don't necessarily feel fast (CVT models, for instance, come to mind)
If this is an issue, we may read more about it - in Toyota's sales release yesterday, it is stated that the SE model is running at a take rate of 40% of the mix (presumably including 4 and V6).
laser0000 says:
08:29 AM, 02/ 2/12
Erin, this photo location makes me think you were either in SD to a) brush-up on your bio research, b) go hang-gliding, or c) audit some classes.
safari4 says:
08:49 AM, 02/ 2/12
If its wind noise your hearing it's a common problem on this model. Well to me anyway. Google "2012 Toyota Camry SE wind noise" and check out the Toyota forum thread on this issue. Noise starts at about 40 mph and peaks at 50-60. Sounds like the window isn't up all the way, drivers side. I've had mine since dec 22nd. Noticed the wind noise after about 2 weeks. Drove me nuts! Found the thread and now I have about a 5 inch piece of black electrical tape on my drivers side mirror, on the vertical seam where the mirror folds. Made a huge difference. I like my car again. Not at all thrilled about the tape but glad its much improved. Took it to the dealer, they are telling Toyota. I need to call them also and post on that forum my experience.
ed124c says:
08:50 AM, 02/ 2/12
I thought that, in the test drive I had in an SE, the Camry is quiet enough, but not as quiet as the Chevys (Cruze and Equinox) I have driven. I guess that would account for the fact that GM cars are heavier than most other makes. Although, I have never bought the idea that "sound deadening material" could be that heavy.
I would put up with a bit more noise in the SE Camry in order to have that really neat six-speed auto with the paddles and rev-matching. And, believe it or not, the engine has a robust sound.
If only Toyota made an AWD sedan or wagon-- with a stick, of course.
throwback says:
10:16 AM, 02/ 2/12
ed124c, Toyota's AWD wagon is the Venza. No stick though
agentorange says:
10:41 AM, 02/ 2/12
Erin, perhaps your hearing is actually coming back after your mosh pit sessions. few years ago I had my ears syringed and for about a month while I adjusted, ALL cars I traveled in made me think I was in a food blender.
There is also the question of the quality of the noise. The soundmeter simply measures intensity, not the irritant factor of a particular sound.
revaholic says:
11:33 AM, 02/ 2/12
Quietness is completely overrated! It's funny to give examples of Accord and Altima as unpleasant in terms of noise. C'mon. They may be comparatively louder but only journalists notice that. By what standard of being alive would they be considered loud. I strongly believe that auto journalists and the buying public can't demand that cars be quieter and also more engaging at the same time.
aspade says:
01:46 PM, 02/ 2/12
What's engaging about tire drone?
emajor says:
04:31 PM, 02/ 2/12
No, not only journalists notice loud road & wind noise. Anyone coming out of a quiet car will notice it. A few years ago our two cars were a mid 90s Camry and mid 90s Civic. That Civic was hell on the freeway and I didn't need a journalist to tell me so.
"I strongly believe that auto journalists and the buying public can't demand that cars be quieter and also more engaging at the same time. "
Tell that to VW Golf/GTI owners. They've found a pretty good balance.
socale46 says:
04:29 PM, 02/15/12
If you think this is noisy wait til you drive a Sonata, or Accord, or even worse an Altima!
It's interesting because everyone I've talked to and from my own experience the 2012 Camry is much quieter then previous generation.
Given I drove the SE V6 which I know is already smoother, and the only 4cyl I drove was the LE and Hybrid.
Still I don't see how the SE 4cyl would be significantly louder then ALL other models.
Maybe you had a hangover this day??