Click image to enlarge Images courtesy: Toyota

For 2007, the Toyota Solara coupe and convertible receive a mild restyling, and trim line differences: the SE V6 model is gone, and base V6 models are now called Sport V6.

There are new fog lamps, rear LED combination lamps, redesigned front and rear bumpers, and a sport skirt package on the Coupe Sport V6 models. A coloured rear spoiler is now standard on all models. Inside, the Solara receives new Optitron gauges and a new sound system with six-CD changer, MP3/WMA capability and auxiliary input jack, and Bluetooth capability has been added as standard equipment for the SLE V6 coupe and convertible.

Curtain airbags are standard equipment on all coupe models, and high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps with a manual levelling system are on the coupe Sport V6 and convertible.

Based on the Camry, the Solara comes with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder or 3.3-litre V6 engine; both are mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with sequential manual shift mode. Coupe models come in SE, Sport V6 and SLE V6 models, while the convertible is available in Sport V6 and SLE V6 trim.

The 2.4-litre Coupe SE includes 16-inch alloy wheels, six-CD/MP3 player with wheel-mounted audio controls, air conditioning, 60/40 folding rear seat, power locks with keyless entry, auto-dimming rearview mirror, power windows, cruise control, fog lamps and heated mirrors with driver’s side auto-dimming feature.

The Sport V6 adds sport fabric seat material, eight-way power driver’s seat, leather-wrapped wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, sport-style grille, skirt package, and high intensity discharge lamps. The coupe also adds a power sunroof; coupe models have a 60/40 folding rear seat, while the convertible’s rear seat is fixed.

The SLE V6 adds vehicle stability control, traction control, premium stereo with Bluetooth capability, automatic climate control, heated leather seats, simulated woodgrain trim, garage door opener, cargo net and anti-theft system.

The Solara is beautifully styled and improves even more with the mild facelift; it handles well, but transmits a lot of vibration, feeling more like a modified sedan than a coupe or convertible engineered from the ground up. The engine is smooth and the car does everything right, but it’s perhaps a little too smooth, and doesn’t really engage the driver the way a sporty-looking car should. The convertible’s top is a single-button, ten-second operation, and comes with a glass rear window and headliner; once the top’s down on a sunny day, though, nothing else matters.