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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  camry - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By joflores - April 20 - 10:00 am

  It looks good and drives good and a graet car to have

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  slow trottle responce at low speed - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By jim goodwin - April 20 - 10:00 am

  It accellerates nicely from a start but when accellerating from low speed it takes a lot of gas peddle to get it up to freeway speed fast. It is also hard to read the LCD radio display with sun glasses on. Ohther than that it is quite a nice car alot cheeper than a Lexis

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  who needs an ES 330??? - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By RVB - April 20 - 10:00 am

  This is my first camry and I just love it! I traded in my 2002 aacordLX which was a great car but with a horrible rough ride. The camry rides on the same platform as the Lexus. If your looking for leather and a wood wheel buy the lexus,if you have the cash! The accord was all new for 03 but after a 15 min test drive at Toyota I didnt look at another accord. This car rides and is built superior to anything on the market, and blows honda away. After my test drive I took the car home that day! My father has had american cars all his life and when he drove the camry he went to the dealer and traded in his buick the very next day! mmmm go figure!

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  Not up to Toyota Quality Standards - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Eric07 - April 19 - 12:56 pm

  As compared to my wifes 2004 Highlander, my new Camry does not exhibit the same build quality. While I applaud the new design (my previous car was a 2005 SE V6 Camry), Toyota seems to be slipping in quality. Examples include fit and finish; had to have the drivers door realigned due to metal-to-metal contact causing terrible rattling (still not 100% fixed), poor fit of interior parts, which causes a lot of rattling, especially when its cold out; the auto tranny has a history of serious problems and acts weird, and lastly the paint quality, which chips very easily. Toyota can do better!

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  Love my new Camry SE!!! - 2014 Toyota Camry
  By mrjason12 - April 18 - 2:14 am

  I have to say, these new Camrys are great cars. I owned two Tacomas and two FJ Cruisers before this purchase, but I wanted something that actually got good gas mileage, which the new Camry certainly does. Do not doubt the V4, as it is plenty!

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  All the Bells and Whistles - 2017 Toyota Camry
  By Holli - April 17 - 8:05 am

  I love my Brand new 2017 Toyota Camry. I have the mystic grey color and it is like an old mood ring. When the light shines on it the green and blues sparkle. It looks black, then blue, then dark green. Anyway I have all the safety features you can ask for and several other things are a must like the sunroof. I felt like if I were going to be driving a 4 door I want sporty yet luxury. The color of the inside of the material is called ash. It is a light grey with a dark grey. Very sweet car. Only thing I do not like is the backup camera. When the sun is shinning down you can not see backing up. The technology needs to be better. I like the way the lines on the camera go with you when you are backing up. This does not have that feature. The lines are only straight they do not move back and forth nor does it beep when you are backing up. I did get the feature with the lane switching technology and this is to be on the back as well if a cart or kid comes behind me it should beep. I do not see that being an option. I have had the car for 3 days so far and was disappointed that it did not have that feature.

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  Camry XLE - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By nhretired - April 15 - 5:26 pm

  After test driving and researching dozens of vehicles, the Camry XLE rose to the top of the pack as the best riding, most comfortable, smoothest car available for the price. The Passat was close but the spotty reliability record ruled it out. The car is loaded with options both standard and extra which are well the price, e.g. leather, sunroof, power seats, climate control, etc. The buying process went very smoothly with AutoFair Toyotas one price "no haggle" policy. So far the Camry has proven to be an excellent all around passenger vehicle.

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  Great car - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By captivemind - April 15 - 1:15 pm

  After owning a number of different cars (Volkswagen, Audi, Infiniti), test driving all the 2012 usual suspects, I was looking for a simple, reliable, fuel efficient vehicle. Reliability was key after my experience with German cars. The Camry is not a luxury car nor does it offer sporty handling or neck snapping acceleration but it combines solid value, reliability, comfort, superior gas mileage and common sense everyday drivability and usability. Gas mileage from 4cyl is approx. 30 mpg combination of city/highway. My last Infinity G37 got about 15 mpg in similar driving. First time Toyota buyer and after 4k miles my verdict is you simply cannot go wrong with the 2012 Camry

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  Another great car - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Tom - April 15 - 6:53 am

  Like the Toyota a lot. 4th Camry owned. Give this 2007, 4 cyl, a 90, or B+. 4 cyl a little under powered, (my 96 was better). Do not like radio controls on steering wheel. When turning wheel with palm of hand, the stations change! Also same happens when I "toot" the horn (my fault). Would like to see better gas mileage too. Car is noiser than my 96 Camry. But still a great bargain in todays market.

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  Spacious and functional - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By 808blue - April 13 - 9:00 am

  Lets face it, the Camry is not a Ferrari. Its a reliable, functional sedan. I bought this car with 118k miles, now passing 122K and overall Im happy. I can fit a 9 foot long board in the back with the seats down, and tote my 3 dogs around in it everywhere. Its pretty vanilla, I definitely dont turn any heads driving it, but 5 people can fit in there comfortably. I currently have a catalytic systems issue which has a check engine light on, and causes the car to lose some power. Otherwise its very reliable.