Bigger tires, especially the optional 16-inch wheels of the sport package, give it a firmer grip on the pavement, but they do seem to transmit more roughness from expansion joints and pavement seams, however. Solaras come in SE and SLE trim levels. The 4-cylinder has 135 horsepower. The interior of the Camry Solara. The higher-end SLE, with leather trim and goodies such as automatic climate control, power seat, JBL stereo and heated mirrors feels more like a luxury coupe than a sports car.
Road noise is nearly non-existent, and the engine purrs softly.
It drives like a Lexus in Camry clothes, which it pretty much is. Lexus is the American luxury division of Toyota. Even though the SLE feels like a little Lexus doesn't stop it from being fun to drive. It is, especially with the sport package and a 200-horse V6 under the hood. The V6 can even be equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, should that be your preference, although I found the automatic a fine match for the luxury car feel.