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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  I love it! - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By LQ - April 6 - 12:06 am

  I just bought this car a month ago and I just love it. The car is incredibly quiet and easy to drive. In addition, the drivers seat is extremely comfortable. I used to get a lot of lower back pains when driving my old car, especially when sitting in traffic after getting out of work everyday, well, ever since I got my new car, I dont feel any more back pains. The different seat controls for the drivers side gives you so many options that its just impossible not to be comfortable. I also enjoy the space inside the car. Even though, Im a petite person, I usually have tall people driving with me and they feel very comfortable in the car.

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  Thought It Was Good - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By CarHog - April 5 - 10:56 am

  Bought this Camry from original owner- Had around 85000 miles on it--after 98000 miles everything went wrong--I religiously changed my oil and fluids. First to go wrong were all of the window motors--each cost around 250- 300 to fix. Next, antenna and stereo went out--costs were around 200-250. Finally, the transmission went out-- had to change front and rear end seals, driver brake hoes busted, and shocks went out--dont want to think about how much expensive it was. I still have it b/c cant afford anything else. I was surprised to see the downward trend after 98000 miles from a Camry.

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  Odd things - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By HelpingU - April 5 - 6:00 am

  So far the car is super nice riding, fun to drive and quiet???? but there is a rattle in my dash, a vibration in my front end like the other guy described and I smell the Hot catalytic sulphur smell BAD!!! The gas mileage is so poor, but as Americans I guess we sacrifice comfort and looks for the little things that Honda has mastered.. Such as decent mileage, power off the line, not at 5000rpm etc.

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  1 hot ride - love this sporty family car - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By First Toyota 4 Me - April 3 - 4:10 pm

  This is the first Toyota I have ever owned. Let me just say that this far exceeds anything i ever expected. My Toyota has highway power with extra to boot. Comforts that make my 45 minute drive to work easy. After driving my Camry I can tell you that I am Toyota lover now and my teenagers will each receive one when the time is right.

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  The BEST and most RELIABLE car - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Lisa C. - April 3 - 4:01 am

  I bought my 2009 Camry brand new and have never had an issue with it. I have over 175,000 miles driven so far. There were 2 very minor recalls on it. I had them both checked and fixed by the dealer at no charge. It was a floor mat and power door switch. Besides my car still looking practically brand new on the inside and outside, it still runs like new and is the most affordable car I have ever had to maintain. It drives nice and smooth. I will say that the seats are comfortable enough. I wish they had more lumbar support. Overall, this is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I have owned 3 other cars and a few trucks. Different makes and models. I will only be buying Toyota from now on.

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  A Pretty Great Car - 2006 Toyota Camry
  By grooms - March 31 - 5:26 am

  We got this car in late 2006 just as the new 2007s were coming off and got about $3500-$4000 of the sticker price so Id say it was a pretty good deal! The Performance is pretty good; however, it does occasionally take a second for the car to start accelerating after you push the gas causing the car to lurch but it doesnt really happen enough to be a real problem. I also did notice when I was driving the car through a turn and I pushed the gas the car downshifted when it really shouldnt have and the rpms shot up like 1500-2000 but I probably just caught it in an awkward spot. The ride is pretty soft which I personally like (although its not as soft as a Buick or something) and is very

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  My only complaint - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By T Bone - March 31 - 3:30 am

  Besides the dealer themselves... Younger Toyota is notoriously snippy and they cater to their Mercedes Customers... Anyway, the seats are so short, that they do not support your legs well. After a few hours in the seat, your legs really hurt and since I have long legs anyway, this is a bad feature. Also the feul Economy is less then stellar. If you commute a lot, I recommend sacrificing horsepower to the gods of the Gas Pump.

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  good car but expensive and unattractive - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Murisa24 - March 31 - 2:00 am

  My mother purchased a white 2002 Camry LE V-6, the inside did not look as nice as it did in pictures from magazines and the seats arent very comfortable, but the sound system is very nice. The car was very peppy, smooth and has been very reliable so far (only about 3000 miles on it) I dont really like the front and rear headlights, the front headlights are too sharp and not matched with the dull bodysize and the rear lights are too big and looks as if it is placed too high...We paid more than 25,000 dollars and did not even get a sunroof and power/leather seats...Overall...it is a nice and roomy car but I think there are better alternatives.

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  First time owner of a Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Kerri - March 30 - 1:06 pm

  Ok, this is the first time I have owned a Camry and I gotta tell ya it is very nice. I did have a problem with the transmission but took it in and they reprogrammed the 2 computer chips in there and WOW what a difference that made. I cant even feel my car shift anymore. I bought it with 30k on it. I do not see where there is wear on the tires like others have stated on here. I did get the "diamond gloss" put on the paint from the dealer and wow that is a great thing to have. It does protect you paint and the uvb rays and you dont have to wax your car for 5-6 yrs. It is well worth it. Bugs come right off too and ti will also protect I the salt when it snows. Best thing I ever did!

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  Bullet-proof car - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By reid - March 30 - 10:10 am

  I bought this car with 30,000 miles in 1997. It now has 221,000 miles and has never failed. The car burns no oil and has no oil leaks. I keep thinking about buying a new car, but this one wont die. The only defective item was the electric antenna that died at 110,000 miles. Used replacement was expensive at $100.