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:

• 

  my Camry - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By DKARRIOLA - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Even with a bad back (surgery), I find the Camry very comfortable. I recently drove 2500 miles from PHX to VA. I ran into the storms of hurricane Ivan. The Camry handled exceptionally well on wet roads. The only thing I find a problem is how the defrosters handle moisture. I am temporarily located in a very damp climate. No combination of defrost, air conditioning (which is supposed to take moisture out) or temperature controls seems to solve the problem entirely. The front windshield continues to "steam up" in spots. Especially in the lower middle. Overall it is a great car. Controls are well laid out for easy access by the driver with minimal reaching or taking eyes off the road.

• 

  Power when needed not there - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Jack Seltzer - March 21 - 10:00 am

  In general I like the car very much, this being the first Toyota and first foreign car Ive owned. However, in situations where power is needed (e.g., pulling out of the right hand lane on a highway, hitting the accelerator to move into the left lane because cars are moving up in this lane, power is lacking. There is a big lag between when the accelerator is pressed and the car actually does accelerate. Toyota has advised it takes some getting used to (i.e., as compared to my previous cars which were Pontiacs).

• 

  Nice so far - 2017 Toyota Camry
  By Ronald Sulyma - March 21 - 6:39 am

  I have less than 1000 miles and everything seems to be good so far

• 

  Aproaching perfection - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Papa - March 21 - 2:53 am

  Driving the Toyota Camry LE is a memorable experience. The power seat is exceptionally comfortable. As a senior citizen I find the instrument lighting to be near perfection. It is clean and simple and very easy for tired eyes to read day or night. I find that I dont need to wear my glasses to see the instruments. The transmission shifts so smoothly that it is dificult to tell when it actually shifts in normal conditions. Placement of controls is near perfect for me. Rearward visability is somewhat restricted compared to other vehicles that I have owned due primarily to the wide pillars in the rear.

• 

  You get what you pay for - 2018 Toyota Camry
  By Gary L. Heckman, Sr. - March 19 - 9:16 pm

  Be VERY CAREFUL before buying this car... NO CD available... Navigation system STINKS... NO leather... You MUST pair your cell phone to this car if you want to listen to something other than radio, or if you want to use the navigation system with a map... If you dont have a cell phone or dont want one, YOU WILL HAVE TO BUY ONE... The seats are now SYNTHETIC LEATHER... If you dont know what SYNTHETIC LEATHER is folks, ITS VINYL...

• 

  A+++++ - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By ricke50 - March 17 - 2:00 am

  This has been the best car I have ever owned.

• 

  200CE camry 4-door sedan - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By Theodora Nikos - March 17 - 2:00 am

  Excellent driving. Interior fixtures could be better (i.e. placement of fuel door and trujnk opener) should have been redesigned. Havehad toyotas since 1987.. Wheel can obstruct gauges on dashboard. In all my toyotas I have experienced replacement of front brakes at between 13,000 to 15,000. Ca r cannotr hold its weight on freeway goiing over 50 mph . Could be car is a 40cylinder.

• 

  WOW! - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Firstoyotaman - March 17 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Toyota product. I love this car. I have test driven the Altima, Accord, and felt they were worthy cars but one test drive in my Camry and I was sold. This car is the best. I love the styling, I love the ride quality. True its no sports car but, whos looking for an exciting sports-like ride in a family car. If you are buy a Maxima but, if you want solid dependability, a smooth care free ride. There is none better than the Camry.

• 

  Going home--- - 2018 Toyota Camry
  By Donna - March 16 - 5:18 pm

  5 years away from a Camry, it was time to go home. Home to another Camry that is. Too early to give a "review" but for the last three weeks, I have enjoyed the comfortable ride, really good air conditioning and really really nice looking car. This is not the same Camry I purchased in 1999 and drove until 2013. I purchased the 4 cylinder and it has plenty of power. There is a lot of technology in the car that I will have to get accustomed to but I look forward to a long time to learn everything.

• 

  2015 Camry SE 2.5 - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By wiseoldfart - March 13 - 5:45 pm

  I just traded in a 2012 Camry LE 2.5 for a 2015 Camry SE 2.5 with Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires. Some have noisier Bridgestone tires, so be aware. Right off the bat, I noticed that this new model was quieter. Road noise, wind noise, and engine noise are all reduced. The handling of this new SE is considerably better than that of the LE I traded in. The ride of the new SE appears to be a little better than that of my old LE despite wider tires with a lower profile. The steering is lighter at low speeds and a bit more resistant at speed, giving it a better feel. The brakes arent as touchy in the new model. Also, there are more features and better interior materials in some areas.