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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  Does everything with poise - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By bruns - June 30 - 9:56 am

  This car has been as reliable as everyone says Toyotas are. Now at 214,000 miles. Maintenance includes: 5k mile oil changes. A tranny flush and timing belt change every 80k or so. The only items Ive had to replace other than maintenance was the interior clock (replaced for free by toyota) and the inner tie rods up front. Very solid and high quality.

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  Great all around car for performance and camry - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By pennycali - June 29 - 8:05 pm

  I purchased the SE V6 after comparison shopping between a 2012 Acura TSX, Hyundai Sonata, and BMW 328i. I choose the Camry since it does everything well, a good value, and is reliable. Its not top of class in any category but overall bang for the buck, the Camry beats all of them. The Camry sport tuned suspension gives the car a sporty ride without being overly harsh like the BMW. The Camrys V6 is awesome. Smooth, powerful, and reliable. The Camry interior looks very upscale. There are some cheap plastic bits but its 10K cheaper than the TSX. The Camry styling is bland I have to admit but lets see if Sonatas can make it to 150K miles reliability.

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  Satisfied Customer - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Dave - June 29 - 1:36 pm

  I really like driving my Camry. It is a fantastic car. I recently replaced the tires and put Michlin X radial on it. The ride has become extremely quiet and very smooth. The sound system is just perfect and I get very good gas mileage from it.

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  Think long and hard before you purchase - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By Mellie - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Check the re-sale value before you purchase...you may think twice! I have the SE model and wish I would have waited longer before purchasing this vehicle. Its been in the shop 3 times (within 1 year) for a knocking sound under the hood. The dealership told me that it was loose strut caps, and now they dont know what the problem is (they say they dont hear anything now...hmmm) and the problem is still not fixed. It does not do well in snow - slides all over the road. Although this car is very roomy, I wouldnt purchase another.

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  Chose Camry over Optima - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By dlc7 - June 25 - 12:42 pm

  This is my automotive history before marriage: BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Honda CBR - after marriage: Honda Civic, Dodge Caravan, Trek bicycle pulling a child carrier. Now Im in the market for a family sedan and I see this absolutely gorgeous car, and its a KIA? I test drive the OPTIMA LX and I felt it was terrific. The thought of a boring CAMRY did not cross my mind because I wanted the KIA!, then my wife persuades me to look at Toyota. I reluctantly go to a Toyota dealer and choose to test the CAMRY SE I4. To my amazement the SE was noticeably quieter and smoother than the KIA while having good power with sporty and confident handling. The OPTIMA is great but the SE is the car for me.

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  HESITATION problem! - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Not happy - June 24 - 3:43 am

  Owned 3 months with 1600 miles now, very dissatisfied with transmission hesitation. After normal slowing down and then reaccelerating, engine doesnt seem to know what to do. Im praying Toyota will recall. Getting approx. 21 mpg. A/C and temperature lighted controls along with clock/passenger air bag monitor hard to see with normal sunlight. Love a breeze from a sunroof; but with Camrys open fully, cant feel any air w/o opening windows too. Performance P215/55/17 tires noisy on rough roads and over $175 each to buy - thats over $700 plus taxes & installation to replace all 4 tires & rated for only 20,000 miles. Front end design seems to attract many road stones and chips paint easily.

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  Nice Ride - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By DFP - June 24 - 3:16 am

  Traded a 2000 Camry LE with 205K, A nice hand me down,Im sorry to get rid of it but was starting to cost to keep it up 2011 Camry SE 4 cyl rocks, roomy for this big guy, nice JBL XM stereo, Bluetooth as well, 33 MPG like sticker says, getting over 500 miles per tank Great pickup when stepping on gas when need to, smooth, quiet ride.

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  Honda vs. Toyota - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By geeman - June 23 - 10:00 am

  If you are like me, I was torn between the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry. Both are very good cars, and you cant go wrong with either (probably). But the Accord is a bit more of a drivers car, its handling a little stiffer and its motor a little peppier (and a little noisier). Camry has a very smooth ride and is very quiet inside too. Camry owners have experienced some engine oil (sludge) problems, so if you choose an older model Camry, look inside the valve cover with a flashlight to look for black sludge. Also strut mount failures. You are looking at $250 per strut to fix!

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  2003 Camry SE V-6 late model year - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By skydoch - June 23 - 10:00 am

  Thought about the LE, but didnt like the mushy ride. Went with the SE with the V-6. Glad I did. The strut tower brace and stiffer springs and performance tires, make this car a joy to drive. Waited for the new 210 Horsepower engine in the late model 03 models. What a difference in power and fuel economy. Getting 23city, 30Highway, Not bad! Only thing I dont care for is the rear spoiler. Sporty but not functional and makes backing up difficult. Overall Im satisfied with my first Toyota so far.

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  Love my new XLE Camry - third one Ive bought - 2017 Toyota Camry
  By Jean Macfee - June 19 - 9:29 pm

  Try out your forward facing child car seat to make sure it fits in the back. The rear headrests arent removable in this years model.