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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  No More Toyota - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By crappyota - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car with 36000 miles on it. Like most people I wanted something reliable and economic, something I could keep for a very long time. I have done all scheduled maintenance and tuneups. I now find myself, at 64000 miles, replacing the idle control valve for $350 and am dealing with engine noise of unkown origin. To find the noise even the ever helpful dealer said they woud need to "tear down the engine" for $1500, to start. So much for reliable. Honda Chevy here I come!!

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  Camry SE - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By mtaddeo - September 7 - 7:21 am

  I am so excited about my "new" Camry SE that I leased at Cityworld Toyota in the Bronx... The new look and feel of the car is amazing and my salesman Abe was wonderful and very helpful during the process...I have been driving a Toyota for many years now and highly recommend this car and model...

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  Great Car - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By David James - September 6 - 5:30 pm

  A quiet, competent, comfortable safe and dependable ride. Has decent performance and economy, although 6 cylinder in family Avalon is better overall performer. 4 cylinder has adequate power and is bulletproof. Would drive it to the left coast and back tomorrow as is. No major issues - replaced orig Michelins at 72 thousand - still have original brakes, battery with no issues.

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  Very smooth ride - 2017 Toyota Camry
  By James Ingemanson - September 6 - 12:31 pm

  I got the pearl white with the technology pkg. The blind spot monitor, radar cruise control, and auto high beams are neat. It takes a lot of reading to go through the owners manual and the premium entune manual. Overly a very nice car!

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  These cars are peaches - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By I love my old camry - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car in 95 and my daughter just totalled it. We have been grieving every since. It was a wonderful car. Extemely reliable and considerably durable since this was her third accident. I drove it for five years before we let her use it. Never had a problem, and made many a 12 hr. trip in it, up untill she wrecked it. Would highly reccommend.

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  Black SE V6!!!! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By rtcinc - September 5 - 10:50 pm

  Purchased 2 weeks ago. Orderded in early March and took about 6 weeks. Nice fast and stable. My 17 year old wanted a Civic Si but since I was buying, I chose the SE V6 and he is just as happy.

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  10 years old and still running strong... - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By Ben - September 4 - 12:16 am

  Ive been having my 2000 Camry since 2005, before that my aunt owned it. she had regularly scheduled maintenance ever 3,000 mi as have I with minimal maintenance. Its easy to work on and drives smoothly @ 148,000 mi. Added short ram to it and have only changed out the radiator plugs and wires, and replaced gasket seals on the valve head and oil pan and door handles. other than that its an Awesome responsive ride.

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  Far worse quality than before. - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Dan Hogan - September 3 - 8:36 pm

  I have owned a 1993 Camry and a 2000 Camry. This 2008 is so much worse quality than those two. Very disappointing. Terrible rattles from the dash and the rear deck. Cheap plastic parts inside everywhere. The transmission shifts all the time. I will keep this car for as long as I can handle the poor quality.

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  awesome - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By petrie - September 3 - 10:00 am

  The car now has 151,000 miles on it and the thing runs like new. Ive changed fluids and plugs and timing belt, the brakes went until 130,000 miles before I had to change them! Ive also changed the shocks and thats it. The car looks like new in and out! It has never been to the dealer for anything besides the belt! I have driven the new (2004) camry and they are not even close to the build quality of the 96? The brakes suck and the 2004 had more wind noise and rattles than my 96? This was a 2004 car with 2,400 miles vs a 96 with 151,000! The highlander is my next purchase. Im keeping my camry forever, it might last that long!!!!

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  Teenage Owner/Driver Review - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By H2J - September 3 - 10:00 am

  I did not consider buying this car a week before I actually purchased it. I am a Nissan fan myself and originally wanted an 03 Maxima or the new Altima SL. Considering the prices and quality/reliability, I decided to go with the Camry. Toyota has a better record of producing reliable cars and my SE was about $4K cheaper than the SL. My parents have the base LE and there are signifant differences between them that I can not stand driving the LE. The Accord was another good choice, but I liked the styling better on the Camry. SE was also cheaper than the V6 Accord.