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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  most uncomfortable car ever - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By Raul Ruler - June 7 - 11:50 pm

  If you really want a Camry I would suggest renting one for a weekend or longer. A 15 minute test drive is not enough to fully understand how uncomfortable this car really is. The drivers seat is enough to make you never look at a Toyota again. I have owned 9 Toyotas and this will be my last. You know how they say "This is not your fathers car" well its true. Older Camrys were well built and reliable to a fault. Not so the 2015. I believe that the multi adjusting drivers seat has far less foam because of the mechanics they needed to squeeze in below. The car is a bear to get in to and I am only 5"10". Added to this is the glare from the dash. I thought highway safety had already solved this issue, guess not. Youll also find the floor mats are some cheap thin material made to look good. The dealer was all to ready to let me trade for another car (on my dime of course.) Toyota headquarters had me take a survey to find out if I was happy with the person I complained to. So here I am stuck with a car that gives me a back ache. Do yourself a huge favor and check out the others, do a long test drive, and take my advise .Dont buy the 2015 Camry.

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  No regrets - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By Anthony-56 - June 7 - 11:30 pm

  Have owned my Camry for 3 1/2 years. Bought it from a local dealer with 62,000 miles and paid a extra because of the low miles. But I do not regret the decision. It is about ready to turn over 100,000 and it has no exterior rust and runs like a champ. Very few problems so far. The drivers side door latch needed repair and a valve cover leak. The car is not very exciting but it takes such good care of me and my bank account that I hope it runs forever.

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  GREAT car!! - 2017 Toyota Camry
  By Aida Santos - June 7 - 8:23 pm

  This is a great care for all types of traveling.

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  Do not buy the inline 4 cylinder - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Chris - June 7 - 12:33 pm

  The I4 has no power and drives like a typical 4 cylinder. The ride is loud and not comfortable. This was my first Camry and will be my last as I do not feel a 6 cylinder will improve the ride. It is very stylish inside and out, especially with the new design. I drive 2 hours to work each day and it is just not comfortable to me.

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  review - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By big curt dog - June 7 - 10:00 am

  good car has good power but has problems with the transmision on the v-6 model.

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  6 month follow-up review. - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By Ray - June 5 - 10:00 am

  I reviewed the Camry here back in April. Heres my perspective after 6 months/9,000 miles. I still love the design. The paint is holding up well, although dings come easily without the body-side molding. As mine is the base Camry with 6 speed auto, power is merely adequate. The transmission continues to hunt through the gears on anything other than flat surfaces. I use the sport shift feature to make best use of the engines torque range. The cruise control has a hard time maintaining a set speed in hilly sections. It drops off pace, then suddenly downshifts the transmission and races up to speed, making you look like youre racing the driver next to you. It feels clumsy.

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  Best car to walk the earth! - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By TexBoyMike - June 5 - 12:30 am

  This is by far the best car ever. Ive not taken one step to keep it alive, yet it sustains its own life. Ive bent it, dented it, skidded into ditches into, lost my left mirror twice, the right one one, Ive hurt curbs, driven on the beach, gotten stuck in mud . . . . . NEED I go on? Anyway, through the past 5 years, I have racked up well over 137,000 miles on it, and it still functions as it did day one. =)

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  Awesome Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By My Camry - June 3 - 9:13 am

  This car is fantastic. Very comfortable, quite and smooth ride. Adequate power and good MPG. I am really happy I decided on the Camry over the Accord and Sonata

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  Best Car Ever. - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By Megan - June 1 - 5:50 pm

  Im on my second. Has NEVER left me high and dry. Had a power window problem with the first, (before I totalled it). It has timeless styling, so it still looks brand new. You never see them for sale b/c people have no need to sell them. It fits a full-size mattress in the back, (rear seats fold down). I get 30 mpg. Ive had 2 strangers come up to me and try to buy it. All this, and I have enough power/pick-up to burn idiots at stop lights. PLUS its invisible to cops. I love this car and have no doubt I will be able to get another 5 years out of it.

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  Cream of the Crop - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By REC - June 1 - 2:00 am

  This car buying experience was very pleasant,an all day pursuit, but well worth it in the end....the dealership is very new and very professional, and this car as we had it equipped is awesome.The Camry XLE is a well built and functional car, I am pleased with the vehicle and the dealer. I would recommend moving up to the XLE if you want a Camry...this Camry is really a better buy than the Avalon XL..as far as value for the dollar