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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  Camry, great commuter, not much else - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Su lee - September 29 - 7:26 pm

  Great commuter, but not much else. Surprised and disappointed at the blue book value of the car. Lower resale value than our older civic with manual Windows.

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  Owning my first toyota - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By suzees - September 29 - 4:06 pm

  I had my 02 Camry for 3 1/2 years. It was a great car -- the ride of it was my favorite. It did have issues with a creaky steering wheel; apparently an issue with most of the 02 camrys. It also developed a rattling noise in the dash on the passenger side. Other than that, it was a very fine, quality built car.

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  Only one thing going for it, really - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By ruby3zdy - September 28 - 8:45 pm

  Ive driven Honda Accords since 1990. I bought this 2011 Camry LXE used at 36,000 miles. The Camrys drivers seat is hard (compared to the Honda). I had to get a chair pillow for it. The display is hard to read unless youre 16 yrs old & dont wear glasses. The left wide mirror is in a bad place, blocks view of traffic on the left. The NAV/rearview camera/radio unit, which the dealer installed, is practically unusable. The sound quality is inferior.

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  Review of 2016 Camry xse - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Kendo slice - September 26 - 6:47 am

  Originally went to purchase special edition Camry but found the blue way too cartoonish and bright. Then had my sight on the white and prepared to start the bargaining process. After talking to the salesman we noticed a black xse model in the showroom. Although the xse had less features than se (hands free charge, moonroof, push start) and was $2k more, we just fell in love with the black suede/leather interior. Ended up getting $5k off msrp and getting full value for trade in, (Nissan wanted $2k less) 3.9%, lifetime power train, 2 years maintenance free. Over all the car rides well behaved and adequate for a 4 banger. You also cant beat the fact that it has 6sp automatic and not the cvt most manufactures are going to. Very spacious in the front/back with plenty of trunk space. My only complaint with the car is the infotainment display. It is a little laggy but I think most cars are probably going to be on the same par. I like what Toyota did by integrating the navigation on your phone onto the screen. Which eliminates the need of purchasing one with navigation.

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  How do they cram how that "CAM"? - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By AMAZAHN - September 25 - 8:33 am

  The ONLY thing they need to know is after buying a Camry will be buying the next MODEL!

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  2012 camry Se 2.5 4 cylinder - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By subvet654 - September 24 - 7:48 pm

  I just traded in a 2008 Corolla S on a 2012 Se Camry. I did not go to purchase a Camry, I was looking for another Corolla S. When I got to the dealer there were no Corolla Ss to be found. So I looked at the row of Camrys and was very surprized to find out they were having a end of the month May sale. Low & behold the prices of the SE Camrys were not all that much more than the Corollas. After a test drive I was blown away at the ride, room, comfort, electronics and the 10 air bags that came with this car. I was even more impressed of the quiet ride and smooth shifting of the 6 speed tranny.

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  94 V6 LE - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By scott - September 20 - 2:56 pm

  I bought this car in November of 2004 with 122,000 miles on the odometer. I paid more than book because one-owner Camrys with all the background are hard to find. Ive put 54,000 miles on it and have replaced the timing belt, windshield, brakes, front struts and 2 O2 sensors. It is always reliable and gets between 24 and 27 mpg. I love this car and plan on keeping it until something expensive breaks. It does not use a drop of oil between changes.

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  Worst decision Ive ever made in my life - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By F - September 20 - 7:17 am

  The wind noise from passenger side window in the this car is overwhelming at anything over 30 mph. When I took it into my dealership (Clearwater Toyota in Florida), their Service Advisors advice to me was to "play heavy metal music at loud volumes" to drown out the noise. Nice. This was my first (and will be my VERY LAST) Toyota purchase. Complete garbage. Will be selling this piece of junk at my earliest convience. Avoid this car like the plague, especially at Clearwater Toyota in Clearwater, FL.

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  built to last - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By quocbt - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Great car, very reliable. This this the 6th Toyota car that I own, most of them run over 160,000 with very few repairs. If you want quality car, take my advise, dont buy anything else.

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  Lovin My Camry - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By mn011890 - September 20 - 1:06 am

  I am 18 years old, and this car is the first stick shift I have ever driven/owned and it was great to learn on. The performance is decent for a 4 cylinder, although it could be better. For me personally, the manual makes it blast to drive, but during sharp cornering there is quite a bit of body roll. Despite the body roll, handling still feels fairly secure. Gas mileage is good, I get about 21 mpg in the city. Perhaps my favorite part is the way it looks. The lines of the car are gorgeous, especially in the blue ribbon metallic color. If you want a car that looks good, is good on gas, has pretty good performance AND is cheap (got mine out the door for about 18k) then this is the car for you!