Overview & Reviews

Introduced as sportier siblings to the mainstay midsize Camry sedan, the Toyota Camry Solara coupe and convertible quietly enjoyed a reputation for being reliable, well built and pleasantly styled, if not excitingly so. For most family sedans, such qualities are certainly considered desirable, but when it comes to coupes and convertibles, we think that a little fun and pizzazz should figure in as well. The Camry Solara never offered much in terms of excitement, but that didn't prevent it from being a popular choice for a midsize two-door.

For both generations of the Solara, rear-seat room was generous and safety ratings and feature content were impressive. Smooth four-cylinder or V6 power resided under the hood, and overall the Toyota Camry Solara was reasonably priced and offered great value considering all that it delivered.

If you're looking for a sport-oriented coupe or convertible, the Toyota Camry Solara isn't going to be your best choice. And the most recent Camry Solara convertible's traditional fabric top can be seen as a bit dowdy given that many competing models from the same time period offer retractable hardtop designs. But if you treasure overall quality, value and comfort, there are few coupes or convertibles that put it all together as well as the Camry Solara.

Most Recent Toyota Camry Solara

The most recent Toyota Camry Solara was the second-generation model and was sold from 2004-'08. It was based on the 2002-'06 Camry sedan and was available as a midsize coupe or convertible in SE, SE Sport and SLE trim levels.

The standard engine on the Camry Solara coupe was a 2.4-liter four-cylinder rated at 157 horsepower and 158 pound-feet of torque, mated to either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic (four-speed prior to '06). Optional on coupes and standard on convertibles was a 3.3-liter V6 rated at 210 horses and 220 lb-ft of torque. Prior to 2007, horsepower ratings will appear to be greater; however, this was due to a change in the way horsepower is measured rather than an actual output change. No manual transmission was available with this smooth engine, but the automatic was a modern five-speed with a manual-shift gate for those who like to select their own gears. On the road, the Toyota Camry Solara's suspension tuning delivered a comfortable ride. The added stiffness of the SE Sport model gave it enough capability to provide some fun through corners while still maintaining the civilized ride quality of the other models.

The base SE was decently equipped with most modern convenience features, while the Sport version added a firmer suspension, 17-inch wheels, an exterior body kit, xenon HID headlights and unique interior trim. The top-drawer SLE provided a few extra luxury-oriented standard features. Major options included stability control and a navigation system (which was upgraded for '07).

The Solara's front seats offer plenty of room for even the tallest drivers, but the rear seats are still best reserved for short trips. While Solara coupes can seat three passengers snugly in back, the Camry Solara convertible can accommodate just two. The Solara convertible's standard power top could be raised and lowered in just 10 seconds, and it stowed neatly under a tonneau cover that matched the color of the interior.

Past Toyota Camry Solara Models

The Camry Solara originally debuted for 1999 and was produced through 2003. Mechanically, it was related to the 1997-2001 Camry sedan. Toyota hoped its new two-door would appeal to consumers who wanted the style of a sporty car but the room and comfort of a larger, more practical vehicle. In the first year, only the coupe was sold, but Toyota added the convertible version for model-year 2000.

For this Camry Solara's run, Toyota offered the familiar SE or SLE trim levels. Initially, Toyota offered either a 2.2-liter, 135-hp four-cylinder engine or a 3.0-liter, 192-hp V6. Either engine could be had with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. For 2002, Toyota introduced a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 157 hp. Revised front and rear styling was also introduced that year. For 2003 and beyond, Toyota discontinued the manual transmission option for the V6.

At the time, we commented favorably about the Toyota Camry Solara's roomy cabin and smooth engines. Downsides included a lack of driving or styling excitement and the absence of some higher-end features, such as stability control and a navigation system.

User Reviews:

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  wonderful and fun ride - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Susan - December 20 - 11:20 am

  This car is so outstanding! The interior is plush and functional. The front and back seats are very comfortable. I love the heated seats. After a long day working it feels great on the back. This car gets a lot of attention. People come and ask to see it inside and out. All my friends and family beg to drive it. The engine has great pickup. The mirrors and visibility are great. And the convertible feature is very easy to operate .

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  08 Solara SE 4 Hardtop - 2008 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Rob from Martinsburg - December 19 - 4:30 am

  I bought this car for a great price towards the end of February. Its not the top of the line model but it has the moonroof, 6 disc, and the alarm system. Yes, there is some tranny lag and no, I havent yet taken it in for the re-flash as I dont think that it will affect it much anyway. Ive found that the slow shifts do not occur when the shifter is in manual shift mode & Im having a blast shifting in manual through town and when merging. Gas MPG has improved @30 MPG combined with 4200 miles which is very acceptable being that my 05 XB gets 33 mpg. The Solara rides very smooth, the front strut tie bar keeps the front end flat and the trunk is huge. Headlights are great & cd display dim.

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  Love our new Solara SE Conv. - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Talmadge - December 18 - 5:53 am

  My wife and I have had a passion for convertibles. We traded in a 2001 Sebring Conv. Lxi for our 2006 Solara SE conv. Man what a difference in the two automobiles. Hands down the Solara is much better. From the extra trunk space to the extra leg room, this car exceeded my expectations. The interior is quiet and the ride is just awesome. There is no doubt that the Solara will surpass our Sebring, due to the fact that the Sebring was in the shop 7 different times for 7 different problems before the warranty was out. Toyota press on good job!

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  Decent ride - 2001 Toyota Camry Solara
  By red & sharp - December 18 - 4:13 am

  Performance is good enough for a 4 cylinder car and fuel economy is unbeatable. I have a metallic red Solara with tan interior and I love the colors. JBL system is great, you dont need any aftermarket music system. Car is smooth and quick and the best thing, you get that performance with a very reasonable amount of fuel. Comfortable, roomy, reliable, stylish, economic and fun to drive. Parts are cheap and this is the easiest car to maintain. That was all I needed and thats exactly what I have. You cant go wrong with Solara.

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  Driving enjoyment - 2003 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Muffin - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Quick, quiet with responsive handling. You can have a normal conversation at any speed, top up or down. A joy to drive.

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  Comfortable, perfect size and yet sporty - 2001 Toyota Camry Solara
  By csimons23 - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I love my car. I had a Toyota Corolla, and then purchased the Solara. It is very comfortable to drive, sharp and full of class. Not too big, not too small, just right. I highly recommend a Toyota Solara!!!

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  Too Much Fun - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Lue - December 8 - 5:56 am

  I have enjoyed every minute in my Solara. The ease with which the top and windows all go down simultaneously is great! The problem I have are that the back windows cannot be controlled independently. They cannot be opened or closed from the back seat. They are controlled only from the front drivers side and only while opening or closing the front windows simultaneously.

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  Typical Toyota - 2001 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Solarian - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Nothing bad to say. A fun car to drive.

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  Love My Solara - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
  By dollydodah - December 7 - 10:00 am

  My solara is fantastic. Its sporty on the outside and classy on the inside. Very comfortable for four adults. Its a keeper!

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  2006 Toyota Solara convertible SLE - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Stephen A. Zinone - December 6 - 2:56 am

  Looks like my two years of research paid off -- my first convertible is a winner!