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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  100,000 plus - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By toyotafan - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Purchased new, today showing 107,000 miles and doing better than the Energizer bunny. Other than the routine caretaking suggested by the mfg, nothing has failed.. There is no need to apologize for the always in style good design looks. The real excitement shows off as a low cost operating machine that goes and goes. Our fierce south Texas sun has done little to harm its ice cube cold A/C or tough white exterior paint.

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  blown engine - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By karen klein - June 19 - 2:00 am

  I had 105524 miles on my car and it blew an engine. I understand this is a problem for Toyotas the last few years. Car was well maintained, but went from a 7000. asset to 500. in one day.

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  Worst car I have driven in 30 years - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By jfoxca - June 17 - 5:30 pm

  Over the years, I have driven almost every car made (either owned or rental cars on business). Our 2007 Camry 4 cylinder is our third Camry and we expected a decent car. The car has extremely dangerous hesitations and absolutely terrible gas mileage. We have had it back to the dealers for several checks and no one can do anyting to correct the "wonderful, new, high-tech, drive-by-wire" system. We discovered that new does not always mean better. I strongly suggest that anyone considering buying the new Camry should shop around and be made aware of current faults. This is, by far, the worst car we have ever owned and I cant wait to get rid of it. Ill sell it cheap.

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  Best Selling Vehicle AND NOW I KNOW WHY! - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Oh what a feeling!!! - June 17 - 10:00 am

  Roomy (bigger than the Altima I was considering) with lots of standard features.

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  Reliable, Dependable, Cool Ride.............. - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By John Ortiz - June 16 - 2:46 am

  This car has been very reliable. Had problem with door locks.But other than that, great car. Car has always been serviced by Dealer.

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  Ticking noise in hubcaps - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By Angry Camry owner - June 16 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my new Camry for 2 months. It is making a loud ticking noise in the hubcaps. I took it to the dealer and they can not figure it out. A corporate specialist is coming out to look at it. Another dealer admitted it is a problem and Toyota does not have a solution yet. He recommended I remove the hubcaps. Meanwhile my new car has been in shop for four days.

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  2002 Camry SE V6 - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Rory - June 15 - 5:23 pm

  Fun to drive sports sedan that can haul the family. Roomy interior and a classy exterior design that is appealing to the eye. I did experience sudden jerking 40-50 MPH while in 4th gear overdrive when you let off the gas. I upgraded the fuel from 87 to 93 octane (91 or higher recommended) and the problem seems to be resolving itself, but not yet resolved. Dealer could not identify the problem. Is it just my CAMRY that is doing this? Overall, we like the car. Rory

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  Poor transmission - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By sam - June 15 - 3:03 pm

  Very poor transmission. It changes gears and you can feel it since it stalls. Had rotor problems already. just has 1058 miles. Interior makes noise as though something is loose. The passenger side windows would not open front and the back. Just a nightmare since the day one. I do not think it is number one when you spend so much money for it.

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  60K Miles and still like it! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By BigPops - June 12 - 10:53 am

  I still like it after 60k miles. I got one built in Japan. I wonder if the people who have problems with rattles and transmission were built in the US. I have a trailer hitch and trailer and the car does everything I ask of it. I have run from Jersey to Michigan a number of times pulling a load. With no load, punch it while at highway speed and jump to 90mph and leave the traffic behind you. With the 2.4 engine you will not crack 3k rpm until 90mph. Great! I have driven over 500 miles on a tank (all highway driving).

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  good ride - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Gustavo Santos - June 12 - 2:00 am

  the car looks nice but ,I cant find the right seat position , in the drivers seat, also I think that at the same time that its roomy you losse power on the engine but when you drive in the high way its pretty smoth, also the body seems to be very weak but over all I like it its fun to drive , and the suspension its preety smoth I guess because of the fact that the car its new:-)