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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  24,000 miles in - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Stormman87 - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car 4 years ago I have put 24,000 miles on it no problems other than replacing front brake pads tire tread is at 60% no problems otherwise think some of these reviews are bogus

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  Anyone have radio problems? - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By rolf - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought a 2011 Camry 0% financing, - Transmission whines all the time, AM radio doesnt work right (replaced 2x already) so DH cannot listen to Reds Bball games! U stand under the WLW tower, and the radio doesnt work??? Whats up with that?? Toyota answer: WLW problem. How is that, when all the other radios we own work? - The cheap plastic covering of arm rest separated at seam. New car, 4k mi looks like cr** Toyotas answer??? NOT MY PROBLEM but if you pay us more $$$ we will fix it for you! STUCK, SORRY WE BOUGHT THIS CAR. Cant recommend

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  A car that keeps going - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By Deon - August 31 - 11:46 pm

  I have driven many cars in my lifetime, was a valet, rented couple and friends and families cars, this car is the best. I have 171000 miles on it now and it runs like I first got it. I have been getting regular oil changes, 2 tie rods changed, a new water pump belts and hoses, shocks installed a rear window regulator, spark plugs, door handles, and alloy wheel. Never had to work on the A/C, I live in FL where the a/c is on every time I drive. The cost of ownership is very low. Great car, smooth and quiet. It has carted food, homeless people, pastors, druggies, kids, and trash. I have pulled a Jeep out of the ditch with it, been in mud pits, camping and off-road and it always does the job.

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  Amazing Reliability - 1992 Toyota Camry
  By Go Tarheels! - August 31 - 11:03 pm

  Going on my second year driving this great car. After dealing with a lemon for three years, I held my breath waiting for this one to break down too but it never has. The car rides perfectly, needs only regular maintenance, no trace of an oil leak, and gets pretty good gas mileage. The rear end is rather large and makes backing up difficult in tight spaces but this is the only flaw. After the car proved herself over several long trips I could enthusiastically recommend CamryÂ’s to my mom. She has since traded in her huge, wasteful SUV for a newer model Camry and loves it. When a car is safe enough to put your mom in, thatÂ’s pretty darn safe.

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  21 and still going! - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By Rochelle - August 31 - 12:59 pm

  I bought my wagon at the age of 7, with 97,000 miles on it. It was the only reliable car Ive ever had. Sure it needed repairs, but it never left me in a lurch anywhere. And I never had to replace the same part twice, except for tires .Some of the parts I replaced recently were still OEM parts. Now it has 208,000 miles, and I would have kept her another ten years, but I totaled her last month. They stopped making the wagon in 1996, so here will never be another like her. But I still see them on the road. From the technology point of view, nothing was digital except the radio, and she came with a cassette player, but at that time, most of my music was still on cassette. The other controls are simple and easy to figure out.

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  21 and still going! - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By Rochelle - August 31 - 12:59 pm

  I bought my wagon at the age of 7, with 97,000 miles on it. It was the only reliable car Ive ever had. Sure it needed repairs, but it never left me in a lurch anywhere. And I never had to replace the same part twice, except for tires .Some of the parts I replaced recently were still OEM parts. Now it has 208,000 miles, and I would have kept her another ten years, but I totaled her last month. They stopped making the wagon in 1996, so here will never be another like her. But I still see them on the road. From the technology point of view, nothing was digital except the radio, and she came with a cassette player, but at that time, most of my music was still on cassette. The other controls are simple and easy to figure out.

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  21 and still going! - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By Rochelle - August 31 - 12:59 pm

  I bought my wagon at the age of 7, with 97,000 miles on it. It was the only reliable car Ive ever had. Sure it needed repairs, but it never left me in a lurch anywhere. And I never had to replace the same part twice, except for tires .Some of the parts I replaced recently were still OEM parts. Now it has 208,000 miles, and I would have kept her another ten years, but I totaled her last month. They stopped making the wagon in 1996, so here will never be another like her. But I still see them on the road. From the technology point of view, nothing was digital except the radio, and she came with a cassette player, but at that time, most of my music was still on cassette. The other controls are simple and easy to figure out.

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  Camry slips in quality - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By John Youngt - August 30 - 10:13 am

  We chose Camry because of reliability. I wish now I had not. Our 05 Camry has a problem knowing when to shift (either up or down). The dealership indicates the new electronic transmission is known for this problem and apparently Toyota does not have an answer. The hesitation in shifting is troublesome and will probably get worse with age. In addition to the transmission the Camry has very soft braking, another acknowledged defect by the dealer but one for which they have no cure. So beware!

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  Dependable, repeat suspension problems - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By GMCONVERT - August 30 - 2:00 am

  This is my third and most dissapointing Camry. Although I will never by American again, this car has had repetitive suspension problems. I bought the car new, have maintained it according to the manual and have never "beat" this car. I had the front struts replaced once under warranty and now at 80,000 miles, both the rear and front struts are shot. Im looking at quite an expensive repair. Mechanically this car is sound but I miss my 95 Camry. Have doubts about buying another one.

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  Keeps getting better - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Joe Schmidt - August 30 - 2:00 am

  My last Camry was a 1993 which now has 290,000 miles on it and is driven by our son every day. Our 2004 only cost $700 more than the 93 and is a better car with substantially more content and improvements. We get 32-36 MPG and think this is the best car you can possibly buy in this price range. Its quieter and better riding than a new Accord which is its only competition in my opinion. How can you fault an automobile that is this comfortable and quiet while delivering such good MPG? Im not crazy about the style however all modern sedans have a generic look to them anyway.