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:
Showing 1611 through 1620 of 4,530.00-
Sport Sedan With Power !!! - 2007 Toyota Camry
By casey - July 7 - 5:46 amAfter looking for many months I decided to go with a Barcelona Red SE V6 Camry. So far I have loved the car. It has room of a sedan and the sportyness of a coupe.The ride is smooth and does not feel like you are driving a big boat.The car in the SE version handles very well and is quite at the same time. And when needed the car has plenty of power while shifting very smooth.
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Love my car - 2005 Toyota Camry
By Knight - July 6 - 9:00 pmLove the color sand mica, drives very nice, turns around on a dime. Seats are very comfortable, and really like the heated seat feature. I didnt care about getting the sun roof but now I like it. Hope this one lasts me a long time, thats why I bought a Toyota.
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Love my Camry - 2002 Toyota Camry
By shelly - July 6 - 7:16 amI am very pleased with my 2002 Camry SE. I purchased it new, and the styling still looks fresh. I have had absolutely zero problems with this car. It is still perfect and drives like new. Although it only has a 4 cyl engine, the pick up is excellent. Friends have commented that it feels like a V6 in power. This is the longest that Ive ever kept a car! (almost 5 years)
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Very happy with my 2.4L XLE - 2008 Toyota Camry
By Happy Owner - July 4 - 9:36 pmIve had the car for a little over 2 weeks and am very happy with its pep, ride, styling, and the many standard features on the XLE. I came from a 2000 Chrysler Concorde LX, 2.7L 6 cyl. I was looking at the Hyundai Azera, Lincoln MKZ and the Toyota Avalon but the Camry won out.
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Boring car. No power - 2016 Toyota Camry
By Daniel - July 2 - 6:25 pmCar has no power even with new engine. Camry is too heavy and needs 3.0L V6 engine! Transmission is not performing (because Camry is too heavy for it?). I am not impressed with gas mileage as well. With my 2009 Camry I used to get 23 mixed and 30 on Hwy (better than the sticker). Now gas mileage is below the sticker. Toyota didnt do good job on the engine-transmission side. Design is weak: looks like old Lexus ES (I understand a lot of us kinda proud of this fact, but you could get an old Lexus ES for 1/2 of Camrys price but with 3.0L engine). Interior: Please move clock to the instrument cluster! Who designed it?
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Forget the rest! - 1992 Toyota Camry
By ukybrit - July 2 - 2:00 amI have had 15 cars in 30 years from Minis to Mercedes and this is the car to beat them all. My 2nd V6 Toyota, the 1st did 245,000 miles. Superb comfort, effortless V6 power, smooth ride, quiet and always reliable - this car flies along! In my opinion this is the best body shape of all the models, its a shame they changed it.
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94 Camry LE sedan 4cyl - 1994 Toyota Camry
By rferrara - July 2 - 2:00 amPurchased vehicle used from an independant dlr in 1996. Vehicle has been extremely reliable. No major repairs required just normal mainteance items, tires, battery, brakes, timing belt, etc. Very economical car to own & operate. 125K miles on odometer - still driving it.
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Solid, Dependable Car - 2005 Toyota Camry
By Phil - June 29 - 10:30 amI recently purchased a 2005 Toyota Camry for traveling purposes. It has 71k miles and the car has been wonderful so far. It has a nice comfortable ride, and the car is also stylish. I love the steering wheel audio controls, and the spoiler on mine. The 2010 model is even more beautiful. Not too many passenger cars can compare with the Camry.
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Decent Car - 2007 Toyota Camry
By Jennifer - June 27 - 7:13 pmI enjoy my car. Its not a luxury car by any means but it is definitely better than any of Toyotas other models. It drives really smooth, but I have a 4 cylinder so it lacks power. Nevertheless, it is still a cool car for a college kid. I love the exterior, but the interior is nothing to brag about. Its quite simple, which is fine with me. The gas mileage is not what its cracked up to be. The corolla is the best toyota car when it comes to gas per mileage.
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Great Car for the price! - 2006 Toyota Camry
By amma - June 27 - 1:10 amI had an old camry V6 XLE that I traded in for this vehicle. My old Camry was way more powerful. After all, it was V6 with 193ft/lb-203hp engine. Nonetheless, I found the new camry more fun to drive with reasonably good torque/hp. The gas/mileage on my camry06 is much better than my Honda2005. Only drawback is that Camry standard does not have keyless entry:(
