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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  Cant get anything better - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By Psynopsis - April 29 - 6:50 pm

  My parents purchased our Camry used in 1997 and it has endured years of use. It never has failed me. I came into ownership of it in early 2007 and Ill admit I have abused it yet this amazing car keeps going and going! Its gone through 6 ft of water, taken off road, even slid off a road a few times during a snow storm yet it still runs strong. Currently has over 242,000 miles on it and shows little signs of aging. Quiet, efficient, and forever reliable. If you want something that will last you forever, get a Camry. P.S. I dont abuse the car anymore. :]

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  Amazing Reliability - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By she-ra - April 28 - 2:20 am

  Ive had this car five years, drove 150,000 miles, and have never had to take it to the shop! Incredible, amazing, wonderful reliability. Ill never buy anything but a Toyota again. Its such a perfect car that its only problem is that youll be bored with it long before it wants to die.

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  stay away from EVO system - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By cauciousbuyer - April 27 - 9:04 pm

  Great car to drive, nice interior

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  Great so far - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By MikeGLA - April 26 - 12:06 am

  Picked up the car in Maryland and drove it back to New Orleans 2 weeks ago. Great ride. Very little fatigue on the highway. Drove 500 miles one day and could have driven 800. Great highway cruiser. 32 mpg at average 68 mph through the high hills of VA. Seating supportive but not hard. Passenger seat higher and better than 2008 Accord. No sign of the transmission problem people have complained about, but Im not expecting a Porsche. Manual shift option works fine if you need it. People complain of wind noise and it is noticeable at 75, but thats because theres so little road noise. On the Accord, the road noise would drown it. Only 2,000 miles so far, but Im happy.

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  Great car - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By fj40 - April 25 - 9:50 pm

  Weve had our Camry for a couple of weeks. We enjoy the comfortable, quiet ride. The XLE is very luxurious for a Camry. Back seat has LOTS of room. The V6 has the performance the Camry has been lacking. But, fuel economy is average - we are averaging about 23 mpg with town and some highway driving. I think that may be a consequence of me enjoying the V6 a little to much ;) Controls on the steering column are very convenient. The auto lights feature is nice, but takes some getting used to. Overall, we are very pleased with our new car.

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  WHY THE CHANGE!!! - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By REALTOR BOB - April 24 - 2:00 am

  This 04 is the third camry I have owned and I am very dissapointed with the new 5 speed auto trans. Seems it wants to shift constantly and is grossly confused to which gear to shift into when accelerating from a turn. If this continues there will not be a forth.

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  LE V6 189K Update - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Mike Krahn - April 23 - 8:23 pm

  After i hit 189K the transmission went out. The engine still runs very strong, but it to needs to have two out of the four fuel air sensors replaced which would be $200.00 for one and $300.00 the other two if and when they would go out also cost $$$. The transmission dealer told me it would be around $3100.00 to fix trans, but the car is only valued at around $2000.00 to $4500.00 because of the mileage. I drove the car mostly on the highway putting on around 40K to 50K each year. Just pickup my new 2011 Camry 4 with a 6 speed trans LE model. Will update on this one soon, but as far as the old one goes she was good to me overall. Read the other reviews that i wrote from the beginning for info

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  Best in Class!! - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By thill357 - April 22 - 2:59 pm

  Best car I have ever owned! I truly LOVE this car! It look great, drives great, and is made by the best company in the world! I have the SE model w/ a sunroof, ground effects, blacked out grille, spoiler, dual chrome tipped exhaust, and fog lights with a black cloth interior. Inalways loved the Toyotas..... Just good cars overall. Owned a 97 corolla w/ 300k miles. That was truly a wonderful car!! I love this car to.... Not just an ordinary LE camry, this is a true "sports" camry and is made for taking them curves! Comfortable for all passengers and trunk is large! Truly reccomend this car over the altima, accord, or sonata. Best for it is money.... Love the new 2012 camry too... Check it out

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  Nice Car - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Happy Buyer - April 22 - 7:53 am

  Based largely on this forum, I bought 07 Camry three weeks ago. Leather, heated seats. Love Bluetooth - big safety factor. Great sound system/radio. Highway mileage already greater than promised. Wish for some way to dim radio cluster at night without dimming gauges - only complaint. Highly recommend car. Excellent proof of what vigorous competition can produce.

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  2003 Camry - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By jdr - April 22 - 7:33 am

  I had this car for 3 years and drive to work 70 miles a day. All that has been done is oil changes and general maintenance. I have had no breakdowns. Just check the brake linings again, 1/3 of pad left at 100,000 miles (original pads). Never had this happen with any car. Car runs as it did when new. No rattles.