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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  The Best Overall Car For Under 30,000 - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By talib bethel - October 14 - 6:20 pm

  This car is better than I could have ever dreamed. It has nice luxury interior (the wood grain is lovely), but it also has nice pick up speed and is very roomy. Im loving the reclining backseats (even though I dont sit in the back). The bluetooth is a very good and smart feature. The car handles great and is really easy to control. The keyless entry and push start is marvelous. Overall for the money this is the best car you can get for the price. The new body style is an added plus also. Dont forget to get the glass sensor added to your vehicle.

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  New 2012 Camry - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By raddala - October 13 - 8:03 am

  I just purchased 2012 Camry. I was considering 2012 Civic or 2012 Prius as I was looking for fuel efficiency car. 2012 Civic has cheap plastic interior and also pricey. 2012 Prius is not good because mileage was down. 2012 was a pleasant surprise (price was good and mileage was also very good). I purchased LE with Power Seats for $20,500 in Fremont, CA.

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  Pizza! - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By alexx52093 - October 12 - 7:30 pm

  I work for a pizza shop in the suburbs of Philadelphia. My boss has 3 company cars for deliveries. Two Priuss and a 95 Camry. It goes over 25k HARD miles a year, blazing around the highways and curvy backroads rushing people their deliveries. It currently has 172k miles on it. Its driven by SO many different drivers each night, every night. Its been crashed, driven off the road down hills into fields... Its been through way more than an average car would. But every time you turn the key, it fires right up. Never has it left a pizza stranded! I always smile when my boss hands me the key to it when I come in for my shift. (I prefer it over the Priuss) ITS A REMARKABLE CAR!

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  1992 Camry V6 Wagon - 1992 Toyota Camry
  By tracyd - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this used with just over 100K on it. Have done all the usual maintenance items, and had to rebuild the transmission at 145K (fluid pump leaked), but it is a very solid, reliable car that looks great to this day. Definitely wont be replacing any time soon.

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  Treynas Review - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By Treyna - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Our Second Camry, quiet ride. reliable. full size spare, good for daily driving. Seats somewhat uncomfortable on very long drives. Average to good gas mileage, gas tank good be a bit bigger.

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  A good car - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By cherry-kun - October 12 - 2:00 am

  My parents bought this car certified/used at around 30,000 miles or so because I needed a car for college. As a car enthusiast I was disappointed at first for not getting a sportier car but having this car for a while made me like it, because I rarely had any problems with it. So far after driving this car for about two years the only problem I had was an engine check light coming on, which turned out to be false, I believe. The standard stereo sounds all right. Highway ride had some noticeable tire noise when I had Potenzas but was better when I swtiched to some Michelin Pilots. Overall in many respects a pleasurable car to own.

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  Great Ride - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By sunsax - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in August and this is the most comfortable car I ever drove. This is LE/auto(2003) at a great price of $17600(all taxes and registration included). Ride quality is excellent. Lot of room, large trunk and great mileage. Most important it is flawless-no trouble and is very dependeable. Only one thing I feel which needs to improvement -that LE comes with 15 inches wheel- which seems to be small with such a large size sedan. If you need 16 inches wheel then you have to go to SE or XLE.

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  Quality?? - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By icebox - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this toyota in hopes of having a long lasting, high quality vechile. I felt the price was high, but for the supposed benefits, I bought it anyways. Then the problems started. Whenever I turned on the defroster, this clicking noise started. After three seperate trips to the dealership, it still was not solved. The gas milage I was getting was lower than my grandfathers Lesabre, which is a much larger car/engine. Then, at 17,543 miles, the head gasket blew. Problems arose when dealing with toyota over the warrenty, and finally they fixed it after I threatened legal action. Overall this car is not reliable or dependable.

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  Far and away the best car Ive ever owned! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Rich - October 11 - 8:06 am

  I purchased my 2007 Camry SE in late 2013 with 117,000 miles. Less than two years later, the odometer reads 168,000. I have had ZERO problems, and I have beat the crap out of this car. Neglected oil changes, bald tires, some body damage, and I NEVER open the hood. It still runs like a dream! Its deceivingly fast, and if it didnt have that dang traction control, I have no doubt it would smoke the tires. I can weave in and out of traffic (yes, Im that guy) with ease. The seats are comfortable (and Im a fat, old guy) and there is plenty of headroom. I guess the only complaint is the navigation system. In order to update it, you have to purchase a DVD, for $80-100..cheaper to buy a GPS..it was probably cutting edge technology for 2007. Just filled it today and checked my MPG..it was 28. I LOVE MY CAMRY. First "foreign" (even though its assembled in the USA) car Ive ever owned. Most US cars cannot compare to this little rice rocket!

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  Its not my 2004 Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By lauren hartman - October 11 - 12:20 am

  My biggest complaint is the engine noise. I can hear the car even with the radio on. I compared it with a friends Camry, same model and did not notice the noise. It has been to the dealer twice with this complaint, but they find nothing wrong with it. The leather seats in my 04 were much nicer. The trunk got tiny scratches on it the first time it went to the car wash. Overall, I agree with the other reviews in that I think Toyota got a little too relaxed about its quality rating.