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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  Reliable work car - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By linsleftovers - August 23 - 10:00 am

  The Toyota Camray proved to be one of the most reliable vehicles I have owned. I have had many vehicles over the years and found that this car is second to none. It has almost 90,000 miles on it, and with regular maintinance and faithful, 3,000 mile oil changes,I only had tires and light bulbs to changed. Nothing major has been done. It still has its original brakes! How about that.

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  Rear suspension Noise - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Dissatisfied Custome - August 23 - 10:00 am

  The right rear suspension has a thumping noise that is very loud on washboard types of roads. The city streets of PA are not always the best but there is no excuse for having this much suspension noise. This is only on the right rear and usually when the left wheel hits a bump. A thumping noise seems to emanate from the stabilizer bar and right rear strut. Three times to the dealer and no repair or relief.. they tell me that other Camrys have the problem and they are waiting on Toyota to come up with a repair for this noise. I do not expect a new car to have this kind of noise. It was so noisy on one section of roard that my grandson asked if it is safe.

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  More than I expected - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By lewbeau - August 23 - 10:00 am

  This is my first toyota.My wife and I are both thrilled with it.After driving a 95 Contour for 8yrs,well enough about that.I got the car I went after.Only it didnt come with leather covers but the dealer did provide them at an expensive price.I had to give something to my wife that she wanted because the rest is what I wanted.I wont say what I paid but I gave them what I said I would pay.

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  Why spend extra for a Lexus??? - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By maxgxe - August 22 - 11:46 am

  We checked out the 2005 Honda Accord first, but the dealer wanted us to pay list price and offered us very little on our trade-in. We were able to buy the Camry LE at invoice price, and received a much better deal on the trade-in. It is now 3 months and 3000 miles later, and we have no complaints with the Camry. The car is comfortable, quiet and reliable. The 4 cylinder engine is excellent, with 30 mpg overall average. We got 33.9 mpg on our best tankful (hwy), and 24.4 on our worst tankful (city). The large trunk holds all of our luggage for trips with plenty of room to spare. Theres no need to spend the extra money for an almost identical Lexus, unless you are into "snob appeal".

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  First Toyota Purchase - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Janebtalking - August 20 - 7:13 am

  Ive always driven American company cars and this is my first foreign. I test drove seven other cars of the affordable mid-size range. I felt the Toyota was by far the superior of them all. The comfort, the interior layout, the power, the effortless gear change, the exterior and the options is what sold me on this car. I have read reviews stating the Camry is boring. Sure, if you buy the basic edition. The SE is the way to go if looks is your concern. The road noise vs. most others was the most noticeable to me. There is no comparison, the Camry is incredibly quiet. Very happy with my decision for this car!

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  Great car - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By allen - August 19 - 7:46 am

  Great little car at a good price. nothing special but great mpg and good ride for the $$$$

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  Not as good as I thought - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By chad_sheph - August 19 - 3:18 am

  Wife pretty much had her hart set on this car so not much I can do. Here is my comment... * front grill - omg so ugly. I would pay to get it modified. * ride is good for driver. but all my friend and kids complain it is very uncomfortable. feel every bump * noise - road noise appear to be loud. wish we had notice it during test drive. * performance - not as peppy as the accord.

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  Average In Every Way - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By D103 - August 17 - 10:00 am

  Went from a Chrysler (bad transmission) to Toyota because of reliability reputation. Have found it to be slightly above average in reliability, but mostly below average in most other aspects. Namely, exterior design is very bland - sheet metal so thin a fly can dent the hood, aluminum wheels discolor rapidly. The interior is also just average in most respects (this is an XLE). Factor in the relative frequency of service visits (PS - very hard to get appointments, and costly), and all of a sudden I long to own a quality product such as Chrysler again. For the price - NOT A GOOD VALUE.

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  All-around great car - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Dennis - August 17 - 1:23 am

  Ive had my LE for just over 12 months. Ive read several comments on the lack of comfort of the drivers seat. I have not experienced any such discomfort and I have painful arthritis in my lower back. There are several useful adjustments on the power seat. Also, Ive experienced no transmission issues as others have noted. Plain interior? Well, its a Camry LE for crying out loud. You want leather? Get the XLE. Id buy another LE in a hot second. Great car.

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  Entune connection - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By ham73 - August 14 - 9:06 pm

  Pleasure to drive. Handles beautifully on the road. Driving comfort is very important to me and the 2012 Camry is outstanding in that department Previous Camry was 6 cyl. and this one a 4. Do not miss the extra power The 4 cyl. gives me all I want or need.