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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  My Camry SE - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Wiggity - November 29 - 12:20 pm

  The Toyota Camry SE V-6 is an outstanding and very good-looking vehicle. The body is quite breath-taking and all eyes are always on my vehicle.

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  Great and reliable car - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By OM - November 28 - 7:36 pm

  Bought the car in 2001, and didnt have any major problems with it. Other than regular maintenance and a few minor repairs the car is great. It is reliable and fuel efficient. For being 16 years old it runs like a charm. engine runs excellent and the car starts immediately in any temperature. The AC doesnt work, and there is a minor oil leak that I still need to fix. Minor rust on the rear wheel wells, and paint is different colors on the metals and plastics. The interior plastics are cracking as well. Other than that, the car is great, especially for how old it is.

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  Excellent runner - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By silvansilvan - November 27 - 5:46 pm

  I have 197,000 and it is still going strong. I had to have the EGR valve replaced and other than that, it has been great.

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  Traded CE for SE model - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By hot se babe - November 27 - 11:53 am

  This thing is soooo fun! I traded a CE model for this 4cyl SE and its a biiiig difference! I hear people talk about the acceleration in the 4 cyl but this is my second 4 cyl and I havent noticed anything at all (and I drive pretty fast). Its still just as smooth a ride as any camry but now all I want to do is hit corners at 60 mph just because I can. I even tried the accord and the new altima and neither one came close to the camry se after you actually give them a good drive. Toyota is definitely the way to go no matter what model obviously. I liked my CE model a lot and but Im 26 years old and I love how people keep looking at me and my sexy car now.

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  The Best Car under $30,000 - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Palesq - November 27 - 9:36 am

  After researching and test driving all types of vehicles under $30,000, the Toyota Camry outperformed all other vehicles in its class. Looks, reliability, fuel economy, ride comfort, spacious interior: It has it all! When I told my sister-in-law about my Camry she was skeptical (she just bought a Honda Accord) and did not even want to see it. However, she had dinner with us and when she walked by the Camry she stopped and did not move for about 5 minutes! I could see a slight grin on her face that she tried to callowsly hide without success. For under $30,000, you wont find a better value.

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  What youd expect from a Camry and more - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Louis R - November 27 - 2:00 am

  Just purchased a new 2003 Camry LE, and let me tell you it lives up to its Toyota title. Upon test driving it, the acceleration and braking is very responsive. Steering and cornering are perfect at low and high speeds. The engine is great, as you cannot tell from the interior whether or not you have already ignited the engine. The interior features are just as rewarding. With the Conv. Package, gives you the added power seats, and 8 speakers sterio system. Its an excellent buy that you can count on.

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  White smoke problem - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By kumgock - November 25 - 6:09 am

  I bought 2002 Camry LE, but sold it soon because the car exhausting big amount of white smoke when start engine every morning. I bought 2005 Camry, just only 73,000 miles. This car happen same problem, exhausting big amount of white smoke when I start engine every morning, So I asked to my friend who has a same model about this matter. He said his car same problem. I,m so disppointed about Toyota engine 2.4. I was report this matter to Toyota customer care, they rejected my asking to repair free of charge, because my care passed warranty, I think this is recall problem, not warranty due to every same model have a same problem. I asked a mechanics, they said it might engine oil leaking in en

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  Best all around family Car - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Carlos D - November 23 - 11:00 pm

  I bought a 2008 Camry XLE in 07 and have 90000 miles on it. My wife bought an LE Camry 2010 which she wanted badly and it is amazing. The "usable" power, space, reliability and safety features are amazing, to say the least. Gas mileage rivals our Honda Civic and the peaceful smooth ride is amazing. Plenty of room for us Im 64 235 son is 63 daughter 58 and wife 56. We have always owned American cars prior to our Honda and Toyota but now that we have given the "other" companies a try we will stick with what gives us the best ALL around bang for the buck. As for recalls, no problems at all fixed immediately. The only question is... when will Toyota make a motorcycle?

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  My Camry - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By Rich Wein - November 23 - 9:07 am

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  Preliminary Review - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Mitchell - November 23 - 1:40 am

  Purchased LE V6 with only floor/trunk mat accessory.This is a lot of car for the money. Fit and finish are superb, both inside and out. Vehicle ride is extremely smooth, compliant and quiet - very close to Lexus quality (I own a Lexus) for thousands of dollars less. Plenty of leg, seat and headroom. Fold down rear seats with trunk pass through is useful feature. 268 HP V6 with 6 speed auto transmission is very responsive and smooth. Power is unobtrusively transferred such that one could be cruising on 80 (or above) and not even realize it. Probably unmatched value for the money. I like the new bodystyle. Thats personal however.Will get back after we have put a few thousand miles on it.