Overview & Reviews

The Toyota Camry quietly debuted late in the 1983 model year, when Toyota replaced its old rear-wheel-drive Corona with the front-wheel-drive Camry, a car aimed specifically at the U.S. market. From these humble beginnings, the Camry would go on to dominate the midsize family sedan segment for virtually all of the next quarter-century, as consumers immediately embraced it for its high build quality, comfortable ride and impressive durability.

New or used, the Camry comes pretty highly recommended. As the Camry sells in such high numbers, finding one that matches your criteria should be pretty easy. It is worth noting that the family segment has improved greatly in more recent years. Many competing sedans have matched or outpaced the Camry in terms of quality and desirability, particularly in comparison to the sixth-generation model. The latest version of the Camry, however, has largely shored up the car's reputation as a go-to choice.

Current Toyota Camry
The five-passenger Toyota Camry is offered in L, LE, SE, SE Sport and XLE trim levels with a choice of two engines. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder produces 178 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque, while the available (depending on trim) 3.5-liter V6 makes 268 hp and 248 lb-ft. A six-speed automatic is the only transmission offered, and sends power to the front wheels.

The Camry L's feature highlights include air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth, a touchscreen display and a six-speaker sound system with a USB interface. Stepping up to the LE gets you a few more features, while the SE spices things up with a sport-tuned suspension and sporty styling treatments. The SE Sport features bigger wheels, a sunroof and a power driver seat. The luxurious XLE reverts to a softer suspension and adds a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, power front seats and leather upholstery (V6). A premium audio system with a larger touchscreen and upgraded navigation system can be added to XLE models.

It should be noted that halfway into the 2014 model year, the Camry's standard equipment was revised. As such, the rearview camera became standard across the board, the upper trims picked up some enhanced audio features and the Entune name was expanded to cover all of the car's infotainment systems (not just the one with smartphone integration).

In reviews, we've praised this Toyota Camry's interior, which provides roomy seating, admirable outward visibility and well-placed controls. What the cabin design lacks in cohesiveness, it makes up for with generally good materials quality, especially the handsome stitching on the dash and door panels of upper trims. Toyota's Entune system is also praiseworthy in the way it easily adds enhanced audio, information and navigation features, although the touchscreen's virtual buttons can be a little frustrating to use at times.

Overall, this Camry provides the comfort and the quiet and smooth ride that should please a wide swath of midsize sedan shoppers. Power and fuel economy are excellent with either engine as well. The only major downside is the car's handling, which isn't as lively or engaging as that of other top family sedans, such as the Honda Accord or Nissan Altima.

Used Toyota Camry Models
The latest (seventh) generation Toyota Camry debuted for 2012 and has a number of significant improvements over the previous one. The interior is significantly nicer than before, and the four-cylinder engine is more powerful. Yet the car is still unmistakably a Camry, with a focus on pragmatic appeal and convenience. Changes since have been minimal. For 2014, the SE Sport trim level joined the lineup, while halfway through that model year saw some minor equipment shuffling that included the rearview camera becoming standard across the board.

The previous sixth-generation Camry was produced for the 2007-'11 model years. In reviews, we commented favorably about the Camry's spacious cabin, powerful and fuel-efficient optional V6, plush ride quality and top crash test scores. Unlike older Camrys, though, this one was let down by disappointing interior plastics, inconsistent fit and finish and uninspiring driving dynamics for non-SE models. It's a respectable choice for a used family sedan, but we thought more highly of competing models, such as the Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima.

For most of its production run, the Camry was offered in LE, SE and XLE trim levels. The entry-level model was labeled as the CE trim, but only for the first year. Base and LE models came fairly well equipped, while the SE brought with it a sport-tuned suspension. The softer-sprung XLE included items such as a premium sound system, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power passenger seat, reclining rear seats and leather upholstery (V6). Most of the features on the higher-trimmed models were offered on supporting trims as options. Other major options included a sunroof and a navigation system.

This Camry was offered with either a four- or six-cylinder engine, with improvements made over the years. The initial base engine was a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produced 158 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque (slightly lower in California and other states). A five-speed manual or five-speed automatic was available, though four-cylinder XLEs were automatic only. The 3.5-liter V6 produced 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque and was paired to a six-speed automatic only.

In 2010, the base engine was increased to 2.5 liters and power output was boosted to 169 hp. The SE was further pushed to 179 hp. Both manual and automatic transmissions were also upgraded to six speeds. Other 2010 changes included a restyled grille and taillights, and standard stability control, satellite radio and Bluetooth for all models.

Previous to this was the fifth-generation car that was produced from 2002-'06. As expected, it was a comfortable sedan that offered a roomy cabin, a choice of inline-4 or V6 power and, depending on trim level and optional equipment, most of the latest safety features such as stability control and side curtain airbags. However, prior to 2005, the base Camry did not come standard with antilock brakes. As with other Camrys, we generally found this generation to be very good in terms of room, comfort and feature content.

Three engines were available for this generation. The first was a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that made 154 hp (145 with PZEV emissions controls). It was mated to either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission (four-speed prior to '05) and should be powerful enough for the majority of buyers. A 3.0-liter V6 that generated 190 hp was also available (18 hp less prior to '04) on the LE and XLE trim levels, while a 210-hp, 3.3-liter V6 (introduced for 2004) was available on the SE model only. These six-cylinder Camrys came with the automatic only. In previous years, these power numbers were higher because of a change in measurement that occurred in 2006, although actual output never changed.

Like the more recent versions, the 1997-2001 Toyota Camry sedan offered a quiet, stress-free driving experience. Many desirable modern features were also available, including side airbags and antilock brakes (which became standard on all trim levels except the base CE). It, too, was offered with four- and six-cylinder powertrains.

Although a Camry older than 1997 is likely to have quite a few miles on it, it is still something to consider for folks on a tight budget. Provided it has been faithfully maintained, a 1992-'96 Camry (which was available in coupe, sedan and wagon body styles) should be able to spin its odometer to nearly 200,000 miles without major problems. It's this final trait, more than any other, that has kept the Toyota Camry popular with buyers over the last two decades.

User Reviews:

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  they should make these again - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By ruppertdawg - September 25 - 10:00 am

  I love our Camry wagon. They are very hard to find and darn near impossible to find with the V6. We have the V6 fully loaded: leather, sun-roof, third back seat etc. Car runs like a Maxima V6 and rides quiet and very smooth. Like a luxury car. Needs bigger/better positioned cup holders. The V6 is a must for the heavier wagon. We take it on trips all the time, now has 110,000 miles and runs like new. Toyota should make these again.

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  No problems - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By bj - September 24 - 4:43 pm

  I purchased a used 2001 Camry in may of 2003 with 23000 miles on it. I drive it daily back and forth to work 38 miles each way. I also drive it anywhere I want to go with it. I average around 30 mpg virtually all the time. As of now I have about 92000 miles on it with absolutely no problems. I have not replaced the timing belt nor have I had to replace the brake pads. This is an extremely reliable car. Also have a 94 4cyl Camry with 196000 miles on it with only a few problems. Couple of front axles and brakes plus on oil pump. Long story on the oil pump but it still runs and drives great.

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  Happy Camry Owner - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By CamryLover - September 23 - 3:36 am

  Best car I have ever owned. A quiet drive, very economical, very reliable and trouble free. I only had to replace the struts on 74,000 miles. This is a very happy Camry owner !!

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  Never buy another Toyota - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Jay2005 - September 22 - 10:00 am

  This car sucks, Gives me trouble from day one. I would have rather prefered an american car with lots of incentives.

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  Road /wind noise Camry 2015 - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By JamesPO - September 21 - 11:02 am

  The road noise consumers complain about is not due to tire noise as many think even though it seems that it is the tires. The noise and pitch of the sound is Conductive Road Viberation. ( It sounds as if it due to the tires when you drive over different pavement) The vehicle is tightly constructed. The noise/viberation is coming up from the road, through the wheels, through the struts and into the Cabin. To lower the pitch of this sound and improve quietness you have to interupt this viberation. You can do this by opening the hood and putting sound deading material such as "Road Kill" over the top of the strut housing. You can do this on the front and on the rear ones in the trunk. Do not do this on you lease car as you dont own it. As to the wind noise , I think it is due to thin glass. Please dont let someone sell you the idea that on these cars that your tires are the noise problem especially if they are mechelins. However if they are Bridgestone you can expect a bumpy harsh ride. Just dont buy one with Bridgestones

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  Good car for the value - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Lorie C. - September 21 - 8:34 am

  Im writing this because I used edmunds to help to educate me, although it was my BIL who in the end still made a better deal for me. Just paying back. Most important tip is, if you have somebody good at bargaining by all means use them and let them be generous to you. Im picky on things like blind spot monitor, navigation, lane departure warning, collision warning, moon roof, cup holders, how the space next to my shift stick is divided and arranged, space for my keys and phone, storage space in the front, glove compartment isnt lame, seat width and comfort, ease of shifting gears, audio quality, colors interior and exterior, steering wheel turning facility, road handling, performance, both back seats flip down, baby seat anchors, keyless entry, push start up, ease of opening back trunk if my hands are full, automatic touch lock, smart key so I dont lock my keys inside, etc. After reviewing all of the above, comparing and test driving this cars equivalents at 6 other popular similar level brands, duplicate dealerships, and even casually checking out 4 luxury brands for fun, I chose this one. If I had another $10K, I would take a Lexus.

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  Dont BUY - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By sammy aziz - September 20 - 2:36 pm

  I got this car from my sister at 160k and it dies at 185k. Its a horrible car. I had to replace the following 1. timing belt and water pump 2. front left brake, rotor, caliper, axle 3. engine mounts (top and bottom) 4. window motor 5. door handle 6. paint job. The car had numerous more problems. My Toyota celica 1992 did better. I wish I had kept it.

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  Camry is a classic - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By Bushman - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Had the car 4 years and still drives like the day I bought it. V6 has plenty of power and transmission is silky smooth. No problems at all at 110,000 kms, except power antenna.

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  the best Camry SE so far - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Vincent@Twin Cities - September 18 - 3:30 pm

  Camry SE is different from other trims. IMHO, the exterior and performance are way better than other trims, though you cant compare interior of SE with XLE. I believe thats the reason why Toyota uses SE trim on TV/Web commercial.

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  Dont know what to think - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By emotional06 - September 18 - 12:16 am

  Ok. So I went to buy a Honda at the Honda dealership and at the time I couldnt afford a new one and the old ones had to many miles. So they had an 07 Camry. I thought Toyota are safe. Why not? At first I had no problems. After about 2 years thats when the recalls came. I had 4 on my car. Then it just start falling apart. Poor transmission that was jerking. Cheap paint that was coming off every time I washed it. My wife was scared to drive it because of the recalls. So I decided to trade it for a new one. The Toyota dealership didnt want to give me anything for the trade. Talking about safety issues. WHAT! Its your car. Anyway, traded it for a Honda Accord. What I should have got the first time.