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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  Most cost-effective and reliable sedan - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Manop - October 10 - 10:00 am

  At first, I looked for 2003 Toyota Corolla, new popular model, new design. At dealer, I found out why dont I try test drive for Camry as well. And Im so glad I did. This 2002 Camry is so spacious. Bigger than previous model that I used. Passenger room is very quiet, no outside noise, turning the car is very stable even at 40-50MPH. The bigger car also didnt make it more clumsy. The powerful 2.4 L engine really helps when you need to speed up and you still get same excellent gas mileage as prior model. More important, Price is even less than new launched prior model 2 years ago. I think 2002 Camry will return to No.1 best selling car of the year again.

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  Fine - 1992 Toyota Camry
  By larita1 - October 7 - 10:00 am

  Ther is nothing that I dislike about this wagon. I would rather have this that a Brand New Car of any type. By the way "IT IS NOT FOR SALE PERIOD"

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  Good - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By FP - October 7 - 10:00 am

  OVER ALL THE CAR IS GOOD AND DEPENDABLE I AM HOWEVER VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE FUEL MILEAGE.

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  Nice car - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Ed - October 7 - 7:00 am

  I bought the car for one reason, dependability. I previously owned a Camry for 7 years and the car never gave me a lick of problems. I passed it on to my son who is still driving the car and loving the gas mileage. The 2005 model is loaded with safety features that I hope I never have to use or rely on but its good to know they are there. I bought the 4 cyl xle model and the power is adequate for almost any situation. The ride is very comfortable and smooth. What can I say, I am biased in my opinion about this car however I will tell you this, the Toyota Camry earned it.

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  Good reliable car - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By davecooper928 - October 7 - 4:40 am

  I bought a 99 Camry about 5 years ago that had 160,000 miles, hoping to get a couple of years out of it. It now has 330,000 miles and still going strong, very very reliable, starts every time, I do nothing to it except regular oil changes. Only thing wrong with it is that when it rains then freezes you cant get the doors open, so the door handle broke off. Minor thing overall. The engine and transmission work well and just a reliable, if plain car. Would recommend it to anyone.

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  Second Camry se NEVER AGAIN - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By Kerlyn guerrero - October 7 - 3:30 am

  Car had made with reciclaje materials poor quality interior Car is noise and shaking on the high way Toyota said is SE sport edition but the only sport is the paddle shift the suspension is horrible For call sporty car also rear bumper are miss lines The worst Toyota know the problem and just hidden from the customer I m stock with my car cause I paid a lot thinking this will be a long life car so now is no value on in

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  1998 Camry LE low mileage - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By Hymie - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Trouble free, reliable and a pleasure to drive

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  021932240 - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By liem nguyen - October 5 - 10:00 am

  I have a lot of problems with this vehicle, but the problem is still in the processing. the problem has been going on for the two months. The processing to fix is too slow. I need to provided to you this information because we will be service better in the furture. anyway I am still not hapy about my car. Thank you, costumer Liem Nguyen

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  Robust and reliable car. - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Paolo - October 2 - 1:30 am

  In two years I didnt have any problem, either mechanical electric or other. The car is really reliable, drive smoothly. Interior are not luxurious but are nice and you have all the optionals you need. Engine is robust, quiet, quite powerful but not too much, brakes could be better. Lots of room in the back seats and the trunk.

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  Nothing wrong with this car - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By muffy - October 1 - 10:00 am

  Theres just nothing wrong with this car. Im sure there are better cars out there at some price but we drove a dozen of the top sellers in the high 20k to mid 30k range and this car gave a very good account of itself in every way. After 15 years of driving a Suburban (kids are gone) its kind of nice to actually be able to park where everybody else parks. After a few years well probably sell this to one of the kids or their cousins and get a "middle age" car like a BMW 530 or something. Well see how it ages. By the way, this is the first Japanese car that we have ever bought.