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 JFlynn - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Very roomy, extremely smooth ride. Great stereo system.

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  TOYOTA FAMILY - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By kidhillbilly - January 24 - 10:00 am

  My 7th Toyota, this 2004 CamryLE was bought as a primary work car for my wife, replacing a 1992 CamryLE which in twelve years and 180,000 miles has been the LEAST expensive car I have EVER owned for overall maintinance and operating expense. The 1992 remains in the driveway as a dependable second car. Our third car is a 1988 CorollaFX hatchback with 230,000 miles and still going strong. I have been a mechanic for over 35 years (never for a TOYOTA dealership) and can vouch for the dependability and reliability of this superior product!

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  So far, so good - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By clint - January 24 - 8:13 am

  OK, first of all I was really reluctant to buy after I read some of the posts here. However, I rented a Camry before I bought one to see if I could experience what people here experienced. In the rental I did experience the hesitation but nothing I couldnt live with. Overall I was impressed. I bought a new Camry after I rented one. I have experienced none of the bad experiences posted here. The car is performing well. The only slight problem is a vibration at 70mph, feels like an out of balance tire. I drove the car 600 miles in the last week and gas mileage averaged 26 mpg. strictly hwy was 31 mpg. So that is my experience.

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  Not recommended - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By mojoe4420 - January 23 - 7:27 am

  Toyota has bungled what could be a very nice cars with a few foolish decisions. When I buy from an automaker I expect them to deliver a car, not a nanny. The seatbelt chime should give 4 or 5 dings should I choose to unbuckle for whatever reason. Instead it offers 1 ding per second for about 30 seconds & then switches tempo to 3 dings per second for at least another 30. Unnecessary. By the way geniuses, thats my briefcase in the passenger seat, not a person. Idiots! Then theres the fresh air/recirc HVAC control. When I make an adjustment, its for a reason. Toyota thinks they need to automatically switch to fresh air after about 5 minutes. Not cool. I rented this car, no purchase plans.

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  camry93 - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By Andy77 - January 22 - 1:06 pm

  For 1993 camry I like the comfort, interior design and very good reliabilty. However, the bad side is that four cylinder lacks power on the highway.

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  Car lives up to its reputation - 2006 Toyota Camry
  By kramay - January 21 - 5:46 pm

  I am very impressed with the value for the money and the performance of my Camry. The ride is perfect and quite and the fuel economy is great. It glides down the open road with ease. (set your cruise control on the highway... cant tell youre driving 90 mph) the rides that smooth and efortless. The maintenance schedule costs are small compared to other cars in this class. I cant see my family ever buying another make of car.

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  My 1st Camry and love it so far - 2017 Toyota Camry
  By Keith - January 21 - 7:53 am

  I just bought this 2017 CAMRY & have only owned this car for just over one week and I really am impressed! Strongly recommend to all!

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  Camry V6- SE - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By BT Neal - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Toyota got it right with this one. I have owned at least 1 of every generation Camry. I bought this one for the NAVIGATION (excellent)but was pleasantly surprised with virtually every aspect of the car. Ride is somewhat harsher than I expected but the handling far exceeds that of my 2001 V6 LE Camry. Overall I have to give this car 2 thumbs WAY UP !

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  Did I buy a lemon - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By JP - January 19 - 10:40 am

  My 1995 toyota camry has been somewhat of a lemon. It did have over 200,000 miles when I bought it and it was on the second engine. The reverse went out where it would be somewhat OK at start up if cold, but would not work when the oil got hot. Miraculously it began working again about 2 years after I bought. I would drive it without a reverse but had to be careful where I parked. The door handles broke and I have a tie-string to open the drivers door. Overall the car is junk and it does prove to me very much so that Toyotas are far from perfect and can develop serious problems like all other cars. I still rate Toyotas high though.

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  AMAZING! - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By PFranks - January 19 - 5:26 am

  I am about to purchase a new car and am worried that the newer one will not be able to compare to the reliability of my Camry. The only complaint I have is that the paint has began to fade. Other than that, I have 170000 miles on it and have never had a mechanical problem. It will be a sad day when I pass my car onto another lucky owner.