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:

• 

  Great Car - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By billm - August 7 - 12:16 pm

  This is an excellent car! I went from a Lexus GS300 to the 2002 SE. Absolutely perfoms as well (if not better) then the GS300. The SE is the best handling car I have ever owned! Also, I have owned a car from every major car company in the last 5 years and Toyota (and Lexus) customer service is far superior to all the rest!

• 

  Offlease only - 2014 Toyota Camry
  By T. E - August 7 - 10:02 am

  I came to the office looking to purchase a car. The salesperson, Elvis Camille who greeted was professional, knowledgable, and treated me and my fiancé like VIP customer. Although, we did not purchase the car but I not only referred someone else to Offlease but I have full intention and going back to purchase a vehicle. Love this place--so many cars to choose from at great prices.

• 

  Toyota has done it again... - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By jazzydee - August 6 - 12:40 pm

  I absolutely love this car! I started out shopping for an Avalon but after I saw the Camry at an auto show, I was pretty much hooked. This is a baby Lexus with a Toyota price. Very smooth and quiet; great acceleration for a "family" car; plenty of bells and whistles, very roomy, and just plain good looking! The car has a very classy look and feel to it. If it is as reliable as past Camrys have been, it will continue to be the best selling car in America.

• 

  Electronic Probs - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By Methodz - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Its okay performance the only problem is that electronically it contains problems

• 

  Your moneys worth - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By efc - August 6 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Camry. The ride is comfortable & the cabin is quiet. Road noise is very minimal. The 4 cylinder engine is surprisingly peppy. Friends/family thought it was a V6 engine. its worth the money that is spent.

• 

  Im so happy!! - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By ALBA2001 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I recently traded in a 2000 Honda Accord V6 for a 4 cyl. 2003 Toyota Camry. I traded the Accord in because the gas mileage was eating me up. I have been so incredibly happy with me trade! My Camry drives like a sports car, its handling is extremely responsive. The 2.4L 4 cyl provides unbelievable pickup, and the fuel economy is delightful!

• 

  Camry is economical with comfort - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By LEON - August 5 - 10:00 am

  I have put 15,000 miles on my camry. I drive 98% highway and my gas mileage is 32-34 mpg. I set the Cruise control and stay the limit. Comfort is fantastic. Driving 12 hours from nc to Ohio is the best! Has good power for going through the Virginia and West Virginia mountains. Suspension is that of a high dollar vehicle with a fraction of the expense. With oil changes only due every 10,000 miles, makes it convenient as well. I have owned over 60 vehicles in my driving years and this is the best value for the money I have owned. I have had Chevy, Dodge, Jeep, Mazda, Ford, Subaru, Mercury, etc. I went back to Toyota twice. Yes, my Toyota is American made - Tennessee - another reason I purchased.

• 

  Like the Looks - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By Paul C - August 5 - 10:00 am

  Totaled a a Mazda6 and found the lease price of the Camry to hard to pass up. It does not handle like the Mazda did but the acceleration is about the same. Our payment from the Mazda to this dropped over $100 and our insurance went down $50 a year. Im 66 and well over 300 pounds and fit like a charm. This car also gives my wife the room to sit between two car seats if she needs to.

• 

  2009 Toyota Camry - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By meeka - August 4 - 11:53 am

  I like the car...it is definitely a lot quieter than my old car but, I have the worst time parking it...I am 5 tall and just realized that there is no center marking on the hood of the car so the driver could judge when the car is straight into the parking spot. Unless the driver can see over the hood to the front of the car, there is no way to judge. (I have the seat all the way up as high as it can go) I was also a bit disappointed with the finish of the car and the gas mileage...I am getting 22 mpg...less than with my old car...dont know why...Anyway..I do like it and would recommend it to someone else...a taller person maybe....

• 

  Im Jealous - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By Lost Bet - August 1 - 10:06 am

  The wife bought this in 2002 with 28000 on it. Well I am a Mercedes/BMW man. So in 2002 I drive this and I am saying, while nice quiet ride no engine noise great power. Soon Im trying to get new tires and trying to match her dang Camry ride! She gets all service for next to nothing. Never a prob with this Camry. Last year 2008 Im looking at 2009 BMW or Mercedes, test drives were comparing to Camry ride. Camry wins no doubt. So smooth Im falling asleep. So she wins Im getting her a new 2010 XLE v6. Only V6 by the way. My new car is her old 2001 Camry with 114000 on it. Sweet as ever and quiet as ever. Sweet ride.