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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  Best Used Car Ever - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By telayla - September 19 - 10:00 am

  I could not be more pleased with my purchase. It is very fun to drive, smooth and quiet. When I first drove it I couldnt believe the engine was running! It has great pick-up, tight handling, and very comfortable seats (front and rear). This is by far the best used car purchase I have ever made!

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  S.O.S!! Toyota Sinking - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Dennis Vernon, CT - September 19 - 5:06 am

  The first few months were trouble free and couldnt have been more pleased. Winter arrived and the tires which are rated "All Season" felt like they were bald from the get go. Never buy Bridgestone. Tires wore after only 28,000 miles. The car felt as if the tranny was slipping in cold weather. You can hear it pop out of gear and then the RPMs drop to 800. The vehicle couldnt reproduce the problem at the dealership. Im starting to lose a quart of oil between changes. Stay far away from Toyota.

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  More Oil - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Frank R. - September 19 - 2:40 am

  Oil consumption is terrible with this car. It started with a quart of oil every 1200-1400 miles. Ive been adding oil between oil changes from day one. A quart and a half to 2 quarts between changes. Now with 120,000 miles it is a lot worse. Other than that I have no complaints. But, Toyota should fix this...Im thinking of calling my State Representatives about it, because when I had the oil consumption test done by the dealer a few years ago, they said a quart of oil every 1200 miles usage was ok. Sure. For them! But like I said, it is a lot worse since that test was done.

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  Personality and practicality - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By arentz07 - September 18 - 10:18 pm

  I decided it was time to update from my 2010 Camry LE to something more fun but still smart. This 2015 SE-trim Camry does exactly that for me. I like the exterior design a lot better than the previous car. Ive seen other SEs in my mirror, and it looks mean, not to mention Ive gotten compliments on the blacked-out, high-gloss grill. The wheels look great as well, I must say. Inside, theres leatherette and textured cloth that feels durable. Its not premium, but its comfortable enough (with enough cargo space, too) for a couple of long drives my fiancee and I have taken. Only complaints: sometimes power is lacking, interior pieces creak under stress.

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  Should have kept our 2004 Solara - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Don - September 18 - 11:30 am

  The transmission and cruise control is a joke. The transmission hesitates and stumbles. Often there is a delay in acceleration when the gas pedal is pressed. The cruise control will downshift on the slightest of inclines. The CC will downshift to 4th gear (3000 rpm) and often to 3rd gear (4800 rpm) rather abruptly. Without the CC the Camry will take the grades without shifting. Driving the Camry in traffic is a less than pleasant experience.

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  Needs Improvement - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Unhappy_Camry - September 13 - 6:46 pm

  I have my Camry since 3 months and I am already unhappy with it and planning to sell it. I am getting a very low MPG, around 20 Mpg which is making me very unhappy. The acceleration response is pretty bad and I am surprised how Toyota released such a product.

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  Toyota Parts Unavailable Over 8 Weeks - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Jim Schmidt - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I was in an accident on 7/21/04 and since then I have been waiting for the drivers seat/airbag from Toyota. In the meantime, I am having to pay for a rental car. I called Toyota Customer Service and they promised to look into the matter and call me back. When they didnt call me back, I called them and they told me the same thing the auto-body shop told me.....that the part wouldnt be avail. until 9/13/04. That time frame is simply unacceptable and reflects very poor customer service on Toyotas part.

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  Toyota - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Pasco - September 13 - 10:00 am

  The only addition I would really like is a steering wheel with the radio controls.I had that option in my Honda and really miss it.It drives like a dream.

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  from 14 to 34 MPG - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By mdog - September 13 - 10:00 am

  Traded my silverado for a gas miser. It was a difficult decision to make. The camry has made the transition a bit easier than I anticipated. The car is simple and refined. It offers a good array of standard features at a reasonable cost. I am very pleased with the ride and comfort. The camry works well for me with or without my family. The four is peppy and I am very pleased with the standard stero. I suggest adding a spoiler to produce a bit of a sporty look to the otherwise family styled 4 door. The standard power driver seat is nice. The adjustable lumbar support is a nice feature that should be ulitized when traveling long distances.

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  211000 miles and going strong - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By steve - September 13 - 9:16 am

  At 211000 miles I am thinking of selling. AC compressor went out, at 140000, and timing belts at recommended intervals, other than that mechanically perfect except for the radio. It has never died anywhere, the V6 still runs as if it was new, though it has developed a front end rattle over bumps. The turning radius is amazingly good, and with the ABS it has saved me a few times in snow and wet weather. Gets about 25 mpg on the highway, which is tolerable with reg. gas. This is my 4th Camry V6, starting in 1986, and its the best of the lot, though the 93 is still going strong with my son in law at 275,000 miles. Why would I switch? To buy a new one, though this still looks great.