Introduction

The Solara offers buyers all of the benefits of the Toyota Camry (smooth, powerful engines, quiet interiors, and rock-solid dependability) in a slick, two-door body style. Opting for a Solara SE with the 200-hp V6 and available five-speed manual transmission gives the car a sporty edge. Or, the Solara can be ordered as a full-blown luxury coupe with leather upholstery, a concert hall sound system, and automatic climate control. Or, it can be a convertible, delivering top-down, fun in the sun. Either way, the Solara delivers a blend of comfort, style and reliability that is tough to beat. It shares the Toyota Camry platform, offering solid value and Toyota's reputation for quality, durability and reliability. This makes it a compelling alternative to expensive cars such as the Acura 3.2 CL, BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class, and Volvo C70.

Walkaround

What prompted Toyota to build a high-profile coupe in an era when a classic like the Buick Riviera has long disappeared? Demographics. Baby Boomers who have paid off their mortgages and watched their kids graduate from college are now ready to splurge on themselves. They're nostalgic for big, long-hooded coupes and convertibles, but aren't ready to turn their backs on practicality. Toyota calls Solara "a well-deserved indulgence" -- exactly what it thinks these empty-nest Boomers want. Perhaps Ford shares this thinking, since a redesigned "retro-look" T-Bird is set to hit the showrooms next year. Solara's styling is unique. With strong character lines and a wide, aggressive rear end, the Solara is more expressive than a Camry, and more interesting to the eye. Of course, Toyota doesn't want shoppers to completely forget the Camry, or its reputation for quality. That's why this car's official name is Camry Solara. Solara is available with a 135-hp 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine or an optional 200-hp 3.0-liter V6, both offered in the Camry. (Horsepower ratings for the convertible are slightly less.) It's built on the same 105-inch wheelbase, although Solara gets extra bracing in the front end and behind the rear seat to stiffen the chassis. It has firmer suspension settings than Camry, and a recalibrated power steering system that delivers heavier, more direct feel at the wheel. It's all intended to make Solara drive more like a sports car, and to that end Toyota offers the coupe with a five-speed manual transmission with the V6. That combo isn't available on the Honda Accord coupe or Chrysler Sebring coupe. The base Solara SE comes well equipped, and includes power windows, mirrors and door locks, air conditioning, and an AM/FM stereo with both CD and cassette players. The SLE adds leather interior, power adjustable driver's seat, alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and a JBL sound system. Toyota's five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty is standard for both trim lines. Like the Camry, Solara is available with optional side-impact airbags.

Interior Features

Solara feels different from the Camry the moment you sit in the driver's seat. The dashboard hints at a cockpit-style instrument panel. It flows into the door panels, accented by a strip of tasteful faux wood trim. In some color combinations, the plastic, vinyl and leather interior share the rich look and feel of Toyota's upscale Lexus cars. Still, there are things to quibble about. Shoulder belts are not height-adjustable. The storage bins on the door panels are a little too narrow to be really useful, and the center console could have used some of the faux wood that trims the dash. The Solara driver looks at a crisp, legible, well-lit cluster of three gauges, with the speedometer in the center, tachometer left and the fuel gauge and water temperature on the right. The stereo buttons are big and easy to find with minimal distraction; the volume and tuning dials sit closest to the driver, exactly where they should be. Simple radial climate-control switches allow easy adjustments. The fan is a bit loud at full speed, but almost inaudible on lower settings. Solara has both a cigarette lighter and an extra power outlet. From the stalk-mounted wiper controls to the sunroof button overhead, switch placement and operation are first rate. So are the seats. The optional leather is supple and perfectly tailored, while the seats themselves are soft enough to be comfortable yet firm enough to keep the driver from feeling lazy. The seatbacks have a memory feature, so they return to the same incline position when they're leaned forward. The front passenger seat has a toe-operated lever that slides the whole seat forward for easy access to the rear. Even though the Solara only comes with two doors, the rear seat accommodates two 6-foot adults in reasonable comfort. Grab handles, a padded armrest and an ashtray are available for back-seat passengers. In short, accommodations are better than adequate for taking friends out for a night on the town. When it's necessary to carry oversize packages, the rear seat folds flat to expand trunk space. The Solara convertible's headliner is covered in rich-looking fabric; it's so nicely finished that you'd be hard-pressed to know you were in a convertible.