Between 1998 and 2009, Toyota had two models of its best-selling car, the Camry. There was the standard Toyota Camry and the Toyota Camry Solara, also known as the Toyota Solara.
While these two cars share similar features, there were also several notable differences. This article will cover the history of the Solara and how it differs from the Toyota Camry. Here is what you need to know.
Toyota Solara beginnings
Toyota began manufacturing the Toyota Solara in 1998 as a sportier two-door version of the Camry. The Toyota Solara was a replacement for the Toyota Camry Coupe. Toyota created the Toyota Camry Coupe four years earlier to provide a sportier option for people considering buying a Camry. Its main competitor was the Honda Accord Coupe, a mid-size car with sporty features.
As a replacement for the Camry Coupe, the Solara featured a four-cylinder engine with slightly more power than a standard Camry engine. The model also featured an upgraded stereo and sports options. A few years after its introduction, Toyota added a Solara convertible to its midsize car lineup.
Toyota Solara Performance
As noted above, the Toyota Solara had slightly more power than the Camry. Toyota also offered a V-6 option in 2002 for better performance. In terms of gas mileage, a typical Solara got between 19 and 23 miles per gallon in the city and between 26 and 33 miles per gallon on the highway.
By comparison, the latest Toyota Camry gets similar gas mileage. It gets 22 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon on the highway.
Toyota Solara Exterior
The most noticeable difference between the Solara and the Camry was the exterior. The Solara was a two-door car, while the Camry was a four-door car. The Solara also featured sportier trim options. The Solara also had a more streamlined look on the outside.
As mentioned before, the Solara also had a convertible option. Convertibles typically had V-6 engines in them.
Additional characteristics
With the Toyota Solara you could also get some extra features. Options included sport suspension and performance tires, leather upholstery, and a six-disc CD changer. You could also get 16-inch aluminum wheels.
Later models of the Solara featured Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, navigation systems, and MP3 support.
Toyota Solara Discontinued
Despite its unique styling, Toyota decided to discontinue the Solara from its Camry lineup in 2009. This was due to declining sales over the years. There wasn’t much demand for sportier midsize cars with convertible options.