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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  WELL, ITS NOT A VETTE! - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By JAMES G - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Hey, I didnt buy this car for blowing away other cars on the freeway, after all, I live in Phoenix and because of rush hour, dont drive over 4 mph. I bought this car used with 53,000 miles on it. The car was a leased vehicle and well taken care of. We just had our first baby, so I wanted a car with quality, not so much style and class. So far so good, the car now has 60000 miles on it, and besides changing the oil a couple times, no other maintenance required. Good car for a family, not Evil Keneval.

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  Quiet & Smooth Ride - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Peter Rhee - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Smoothest and quitest of the mid size segment, Best Pick in off set crash test results. Friend and honest prices at Miller Toyota. A styling car with classy interior layout and easy to see and read with Toyota reputation!

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  Excellent Reliability, Great for Families - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By onthe4frnt - July 28 - 12:53 pm

  I drove the 2012 Toyota Camry LE for approximately 3 months/3500 miles as a daily driver with 60% highway/40% city driving. First impressions were very positive. Its a Toyota, its rock solid reliability and build quality are unmatched. The cabin was incredibly quiet, the 6-speed automatic transmission very smooth. The gas mileage was very impressive, yet didnt feel like it compromised power (for its class). This car would be great for relaxed drivers and families looking for excellent value.

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  Good Car, Sloppy Transmission - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Andrew - July 27 - 1:36 am

  The added molding gives the SE a very clean and sharp look. The sunroof actually comes down and slides between the exterior and interior thus minmizing wind noise at speed. The leather interior is worth the money. The power seats have excellent "adjustments". The Bluetooth option works perfectly. The gas milage is pretty close for highway milage. In short, the car is nearly everything you can expect for the $29.4k version. However, the transmission is sloppy. It is something I have just come to my mind that I will have to deal with it. It shifts at unusual times on deceleration thus making your breaking non-constant (you can feel lurches).

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  Everything is just right - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By JB - July 26 - 7:16 am

  Car was bought one month ago, its running perfectly, Acceleration is perfect for a 4 cyl. Dont expect V8 acceleration, the days of the old big blocks are gone! The interior is so very quiet, you must compare this car to a Cadillac. Dont buy this car if you want to race, it wasnt built for that. You cant have it both ways, either a car is full of power and stiff suspension or its smooth and comfortable on the road. I love it for what it is... a comfortable quiet ride!

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  Quiet Comfy Efficient Most reliable - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Terry A - July 24 - 10:26 pm

  Pur new, love this car. Easy to handle, quiet, fun to drive, so reliable I hardly know the great dealer!

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  95 Toyota Camry - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By micaheath - July 24 - 1:53 pm

  This is the best car I have ever owned . I am 64 years old and I have out lived many vehicles but this Camry may just out live me. It never fails to start and runs showroom smooth. It is so quiet and fun to drive. Excellent performance and gas milage at 148, 000 miles. Why would I even consider a new car?

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  Toyota Happy - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By van to sedan - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car 1 week ago, and have found the transition from a van to sedan very pleasant with the Camry. Looked for 2 months, comparing Civic, Corrola, Mazda6, Altima, and Jetta. Comfort and headroom are superior. My main goal was better gas milage and dependablity. So far on second tank I am getting 28mpg, and looking forward to increasing that number as break in period is established.

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  Fun To Drive - 2013 Toyota Camry
  By nanakuli - July 22 - 8:05 am

  I have over 100,000 miles on mine and I dont want to part with it. Pros are the reliability, the smooth V-6 on the highway, the visibility from the cabin, the ride on Primacy V-rated rubber, the mpg, the automatic a/c, the huge trunk, the cupholders. Cons are the slab-sided styling, the electric window only being auto up/down on the drivers side, no memory seats, hmmm, thats about it. Overall, the best beater back and forth to work car you could ever hope for. Its not a Lexus, but who (besides my wife) would use a Lexus for a beater?

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  A Great Daily Driver - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By twinturboZ32 - July 21 - 5:23 am

  I purchased a 5 speed Camry just this past November. This was to be my winter car and new daily driver. I must say it was perfect timing with the snow we had in northern VA this year. I bought it for $2,000 with 113,000 miles, you cant beat that. I had a 1993 Camry in college and I donated it with 240,000 miles. These cars can go past 200K miles easily. When I got mine I did the 60k service; timing belt, water pump, oil seals. I also put in a new radiator. I paid $1,000 for all of this work. So for $3,000 I have a good working beater car. My other car is a 1993 Nissan Twin Turbo 300zx. The Camry doesnt compare in terms of performance. But, I averaged 30 mpg highway on my last trip.