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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  The Australian Model - 2006 Toyota Camry
  By Justine - June 21 - 10:30 am

  I live in Melbourne Australia and thus own the Australian built V6 3.0 Altise Limited Edition which is the US XLE V6 version. This car drives like a baby and it has done only 45,000k (28,000 miles). I have no complaints apart from the knobs on the dash which makes it look rather cheap. The noise insulation is absolutely excellent! (not that it makes any noise of its own) Why cant Ford, GM and the rest build cars like this?

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  Im buying a What! - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By tony-TnT - June 21 - 2:00 am

  Yea, could you believe a 27 year-old bachelor owning a Camry....? My thoughts exactly. But I tell you what, after driving this beautiful Black SE Camry, Ill probably never buy anything else. (other than a lexus). From the looks, the drive, the reputation, and Toyotas established reliability factor, I was sold.(I promise the 1.9% financing had nothing to do with it)

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  Our 2nd Camry - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By 2nd time Camry - June 20 - 6:46 pm

  I felt after driving home from the dealer ride was hard. Lowered air pressure of tires to 29-30 lbs.for winter driving which helped a lot. I recommend breaking engine in slowly first 1,000 miles. Does slightly hesitate when accelerated from stop position, I think because engine needs to be nursed slowly in beginning. I love everything else about the car. Interior is real sporty and from outside, it has a European look. Low road noise, handles well on turns,and I love those 17 inch wheels.

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  Not your old Toyota - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By mteverest - June 20 - 4:26 pm

  Even though I bought this Camry used it was very low mileage and should have been as good as new. First it made strange downshift noise, which turns out to be a known problem and the dealer fixed it under warranty. Then there is occasional hesitation on accel as some others have pointed out, which actually have now disappeared after the recall repair. I have a 02 Sienna now 120K and drives like new, and when I crashed my beloved Highlander at 90K it also drives like new. I think with all the electronic tinkering and so called high-tech, the new cars are actually less reliable than the old. This is true for Honda, Nissan, and German cars also.

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  Hat!e It - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By annette1993 - June 20 - 4:05 am

  I hate it, absolutely hate it. I had a 2003 Camry SE that was a fabulous cream puff. In seven years never needed anything but brakes and tires. Comfortable, well made, good on gas, great car, loved it. Unfortunately, I totaled it and replaced it with a 2009 Toyota Camry LE. What a terrible mistake. I am really shocked, what a piece of junk. Inside cheap plastic, one vent is broken, cup holder is inconveniently placed, and seat is extremely uncomfortable. What were they thinking when they redesigned the interior? I have never been so uncomfortable in a car. The worse part is, I am very apprehensive while driving it because it has so many blind spots. The rear window has extreme poor visibility. The car also makes wide turns. I cannot judge when parking or turning onto lanes. I can’t see the curb when I am making turns. I have to lean forward out of my seat when making turns because I cannot see where I am going. I have had a Honda, Buick, Nissan, Camry (2003), Chrysler, Chevy, Toyota Supra, and never had this problem before. Also, gas mileage is not as good as the 2003. Additionally, cheap paint job. In one year paint is peeling, yet my 2003 never had that problem in seven years!! The car also has poor pick up. The 2003 Camry was a far superior car in every way. My mechanic agrees with me. Toyota is now making garbage. I am so sorry that I did not buy a used 2003 – 2005 Camry.

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  My Camry - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By William Jeffers - June 16 - 8:50 pm

  I love it. Ive owned many cars over the past few years. I bought the Camry for its reliability and reputation and am not disappointed. The car is quiet, smooth, comfortable and I can tell its built better then anything Ive ever owned prior to it. Best purchase Ive ever made. I definitely recommend it.

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  My 2005 XLE in Annapolis - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By LJA - June 16 - 3:36 pm

  Very nice car-only have 1600 miles on it and mostly highway so far averaging 25 mpg-hopefully this will go up when broken in more-because the digital display says I am averaging 32 and sometimes while driving says I am getting 60-99 mpg-need to have this checked

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  Really nice car. - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By kris421 - June 16 - 10:00 am

  This car rides nice, and I love the design. They are extremely dependable, and are easy cars to take car of. Keep the oil changed and it will last you a life time.

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By evo - June 13 - 8:06 pm

  My only complaint is the suspension... its terrible and so expensive to replace, but unless its done, youll pay on brakes. Very comfortable and great on trips, a little gutless these days through mountain passes and at 170000 Im ready to move on... definitely replacing with another toyota. Ive loved my camry.

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  Cruizin Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By CRUIZIN - June 12 - 2:36 pm

  I got this 32 MPG/Highway vehicle for $200 under invoice. I really cant complain about this vehicle. My car did, however, have a small rip in the rear leather armrest. Toyota took care of the rip, but you can still notice the patched up area if you look at it carefully. I definitely reccoment using Edumunds to buy your next vehicle. It will save you a lot of time and will get you a good deal.