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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  Love It! - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By foxxyfreddy - June 27 - 10:00 am

  Love It! Quite, Handles great, cant tell how fast your really going. Easy passing on the interstates

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  2004 Toyota Camry 2.4 four cylinder - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Paul - June 26 - 1:00 am

  Ive owned this car from new and have serviced all fluids regularly (transmission, coolant and steering included). It is my rolling office and my main concerns are reliability and economy. It avarages 30 mpg, needed front brake pads at 72,000, wiper blades at 75,000, spark plugs at 100,000, pads with rotors at 153,000. The only unschedualed repair to date was the right rear brake light bulb at 103,000. The rear brakes have had regular cleaning but have not worn out. If Toyota made appliances, computers etc. I would buy them

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  Delighted With Our Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Gail - June 25 - 9:03 pm

  Not a whit of problems with this car. Has not been back to dealer for any reason since we bought it in August. This is the fourth Camry in this family, and this one seems to be the best of any of them. Congratulations to Toyota for another excellent automobile.

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  Love it... - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By Bishop13 - June 24 - 2:00 am

  After putting in over 100K in just 4 years, the car is still humming along like a trooper. Total vehicle miles is at 215K, no major problems, just regular maintenance and a leaking valve seal in the #4 cyl., otherwise, a great investment!

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  I must have bought a lemon! - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Stephanie - June 24 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Camry in the shop 8 times. 5 of those times for the same thing. Finally got Toyota involved and they found the reason the engine light kept coming on was because the 2nd and 3rd cylinder was creating metal shavings. Toyota replaced my engine but since then my CD player has gone out and now it is in the shop again for the engine.

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  White XLE - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By EdwardArnold - June 24 - 2:00 am

  I hate this car, I will never every buy a Camry again, After leaving the dealership, transmission issue, check engine light, brakes, leather seats, my new car was in the shop for the first complete month, and after 7 more times for the same issues. I hate this car, will never ever buy a Toyota again

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  Bought it new in 2005 and would drive it anywhere - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Larry Ro. - June 22 - 5:17 pm

  I hated this car when I first bought it new in 2005. My previous car was purchased new in 1995 and it was a Maxima with a six cylinder engine and five speed transmission and I kept it until I bought this Camry. It had 229,000 miles and it was a lot more fun to drive. It took me a while to get used to my Camry with a four cylinder engine and an automatic transmission and a lot of my friends teased me over this car. I used the Camry for my business and used to drive it a lot so I wanted better gas mileage. Anyway, 11 years later and with 143,000 miles and climbing I would still drive it cross country and know there would be no problems. It does smoke when I first start it if it sits for a few days and I read online that the valve seals leak (smokes for about 10 seconds) which causes the smoke but it is never down very much oil when I change it at 5,000 miles. Some people have complained about the paint but my battleship grey color has stood up very well. Anyway, it is a basic car and boring by many standards but it runs great. The maintenance has been one battery, I change the oil every 5,000 miles, tires and Ive changed the transmission oil and coolant at 70,000 miles. Ill be doing it again very soon. Also the front brakes were changed and the rear brakes are original. The exhaust, water pump, timing chain, tranny, engine, radio etc. are original. With that said, it has been a great reliable car.

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  Love it - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By Matthew Thomas Brodsack - June 21 - 6:25 pm

  Ive had 2 camrys, a 99 and a 97. both are extremely reliable but ive had a couple of quirks with mine. i dont know if anyone else has had the problem. The starter wouldnt engage on either one from time to time, quick fix just tighten the cables on the starter. The other is the flex exhaust coming right of the headers burns out. Both of the issues happened to both of them. cheap quick fixes. Looking for a new one because the previous owner left my 97 sitting for over 2 years and it rotted the seals (would happen to any car) and i seem to pouring money to fixing seals here and there. My cars are just bad luck though, these have a record of going 300,000+ and i just wish my car was maintan

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  Outstanding Car - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Justice - June 21 - 12:06 am

  This car delivers exactly what it is marketed to do. It provides a very smooth ride with all of the practical needs. I am still on my first tank of gas, and I am wondering if we will ever need to fill up. It is extremely quiet. You can hardly tell if the car is running. I almost turned the key to try and start it again because I could not hear the engine.

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  Pleasantly surprised - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Ray - June 20 - 10:20 am

  I have never considered a Toyota ever. Ive had almost every make, Honda, Nissan, Volvo, VW, Chevy, Ford, BMW. A Camry was the least likely. I must admit Im blow away. The exterior is beautiful, the interior is laid out elegantly. The ride is firm and supple. It isnt super agile, but agile enough to be fun. Overall its a lot of car for the money, I couldnt be more satisfied.