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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  Great Value - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By sxm - July 15 - 2:00 am

  The car is highly reliable. I have had no major problems with it at all. Not even minor ones like power doors not workig. I have driven it almost 15K miles a year and it has performed without a hitch. The 2.2L 4-cyl. engine is a bit low powered especially if you have to accelerate quickly or if you have the full complement of 5 occupants. For most normal uses that I have put it to this has not been much of a problem. The mileage provided is excellent ( 30 mi. per gallon on freeways). This car is great for someone who wants their car to retain value. After 5 yrs my car still commands almost half its buying price with options. Overall highly recommended.

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  just ok, not great - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By tx* - July 15 - 2:00 am

  The car is OK if you like 4 door sedans. Dont buy it for the value though, it doesnt hold any. The road noise is a little too much on the highway but handles OK. My Dodge truck is a lot quieter. Watch out for the dealers though, we found they are the biggest liars and wont buy another Toyota for that reason.

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  Undeniably great-though slightly boring - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By mpsearcher - July 15 - 2:00 am

  My fourth Toyota, it was totaled at 6 months when i was t-boned by someone who ran a stop sign. GET THE CURTAIN AIRBAGS - THEY WORK. After 8200, miles i wanted to get something a little sportier as a replacement, but cant find the value/ mileage/ reliability/curtains,etc. so will likely buy another. As to resale- insurance gave me almost what I paid. Dont pay more than 86% of sticker.

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  Not what I expected from Toyota - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Kay - July 14 - 1:30 am

  I purchased the SE model and enjoy its spunk. What I dont like is the numb steering feedback and the feeling that the car is not solid in contact with the road. The driver seat feels like sitting on slats of metal giving it spring instead of cushion. Its caused back issues and hip issues to climb in and out. The transmission is not smooth at low speeds with a slack or jerk feeling on take-off and at slow speed. The transmission feels indecisive. The SEs special cloth is a nightmare to keep looking clean. Two recalls on this car make me "regret buying it" and recalls have already decreased the resale value. The stock Michelin tires seem to generate too much road noise.

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  Good & Bad - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Calif Driver - July 13 - 10:00 am

  The overall design is fairly decent, however, the interior of my Camry has flaws. First of all, the radio has been replaced twice (its on the third one!), the console drink holder has broken and the brake pedal makes intermittent noise. The ride is very smooth and quite and the back seat is comfortable for evenings out with guests. Great turning radius and easy to drive. If Toyota can just get the interior problems corrected I would be overjoyed with the car.

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  Great car, with room for improvement - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Dinov - July 13 - 12:20 am

  I picked up my car two weeks ago. Great car and a very smooth ride. Good mileage (29 mpg for combined city and highway driving on my first tank). Within a couple of days, noticed that the car was pulling to the left. I took it to the dealer and he said that it needs alignment (due to being tied on a truck; why cant dealers check it before customers pick up their cars?). I also noticed that at 70 mph with cross-wind, the car almost seems to float and moves sideways quite a bit (not sure if it related to alignment or car is extremely aerodynamic). I have the same complaint about door strips.

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  Comfortable ride. - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Viv - July 11 - 7:43 pm

  I bought it used with 38000 miles. Engine light came on a few months after purchase. I ignored it. At 86000 miles I had the 02 sensor and catalytic converter fixed. Paid 1200.00 to get car fixed. Was not a happy camper. Since then, no other problems. I hope to drive it for at least 250000 miles.

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  What did I get into??? - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By ssood - July 10 - 2:29 pm

  I bought a 2010 Barcelona Red SE with 44k for $15,000 thinking this 4cyl would deliver good numbers in city, I get 13-15!!! My 2004 V6 KIA Optima with 285,000 on the odometer delivered 18 in city and 25 on highway. Dash rattles are unbearable! Ride is stiff as hell. My KIA rode better and even with 285k, not a single rattle. Oh, did I mention the blower motor making noise, yes! its the noise under normal mode of operation. I had the dealership clean the blower motor and guess what?? it sounds like that! Wind noise at 55mph?!?! Who designed this thing???? What happened to the concept of wind tunnel???

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  Uncomfortable driver seat - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By C. Hanna - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I find the driver seat to be very uncomfortable. To the point that I do not like to drive the car. Lumbar support is like two fists in my kidneys and the seat bottom is very hard. Did not notice this in the short test drive at the dealers. Be sure to sit in this car for 15 + minutes before buying.

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  Love my V6 SE - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Joanne - July 7 - 4:26 pm

  I purchased this car used from a reputable dealer in my area. It was a repossession with 10,000 miles on it. It is loaded with everything imaginable. Leather, sunroof, V6 3.5L, 6 speed trans, and a rare body ground effects kit w/spoiler & skirt. Chrome everything, bluetooth, remote start, fog lights. I absolutely love it. Talk about fast, 0-60 mph in about 5 seconds, and the gas mileage is amazing. The heated leather seats are the best, and the many seat adjustments make my driving experience a pleasure. If I had to buy this car again, I would never go back to a four cyl. car or a car with cloth seats. I am very satisfied with my purchase and would recommend this car to anyone.