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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  Quiet, reliable and efficient - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By druid - February 3 - 10:35 am

  I bought a very gently used 2015 LE a few months ago. As of this moment, it has 8000 miles on it. Ive not had to do anything except fill gas and change the oil. The automatic transmission is very smooth and efficient , in fact I might say it hunts too much for efficiency. When you are at 60 mph and you floor the pedal, its a little hesitant to downshift and give you an acceleration boost. I suspect this is because the transmission wants to hold a higher gear for as long as possible. In any case for the vast majority of the time the transmission is fine. When I do 75-80 mph I consistently get 31-32 mpg. When I drop down to 70 mph I see 33-34. And if i do between 50 to 60 mph mpg goes to 35+. I think this mpg is extremely good for a car this size and weight. When compared to the 2007-2011 models this car is quiet, engine noise is reduced. There is some road noise on rough pavement - I measured it at 63 db at 65mph. The LE ride is not as firm as the SE but the car still does not roll. It feels tight and good. The seats on the 2007-2011 model I think are better and softer than this LE. But only by a little bit. The interior could do with fewer hard plastics. I wish the LE came with side mirror defoggers. If anything is terrible in this car, it has to be the audio system. There is no bass at all. If the audio system were not integrated with the camera, I would change it in a heart beat. I have no clue how Toyota put this audio system in here. I am going to drive this for the next 5 years at least and hope it will be as reliable as the previous gen cars.

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  Camrys are just as what i expected - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By hengbok2u - February 2 - 10:00 am

  well...i bought my camry in 1999 which had 62k miles..and now has 117k miles.. i had no problems at all with this car for all this time...its so amazing... since i work as a auto wholesale, i see lots of cars with better looks and feel than this camry....but with no regrets, i am staying with my camry...with this much mileage, im thinking about hooking the car up a little...I used to love the looks of the car, but now...it just looks so boring...either way, its one of the best cars out there~

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  LOCKER TOYOTA - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By LOCKER - February 2 - 10:00 am

  tHIS CAR RUNS VERY WELL. i HAVE NOT HAD ANY TROUBLE AT ALL WITH THE CAR.

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  xle 3.0 5a - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By mafia1 - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Had a grand marquis,was looking for a comfortable replacement.bought the camry and all is well.We have very very bad roads in quebec so comfort is more important then handling,which is very good by the way.

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  Couldnt Be Happier - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By dginga - February 2 - 5:48 am

  We bought our 2010 Camry at the height of all the Toyota recall hype because we were confident it was nonsense - and it was. We could not be happier with our purchase. We got a great deal, the dealer was a delight, and the car is great. We take a LOT of long car trips and this car is comfortable, gets decent gas mileage (30 mpg), holds a lot of luggage and, most importantly, is reliable! Our previous car was a Volkswagon Passat wagon, and it was in the shop all the time, so reliability was key. Id buy another one in a heartbeat.

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  So far so good! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Trey - February 1 - 2:20 pm

  I owned a 89 Camry during my college days and that car went through some rough patches. I doubt this one would go through the same treatment. It would probably break in half before going through half of the stuff the 89 model went through. The exterior shape is a lot better than the 05-06 models which looked like grandma model. One thing I had noticed when car is still cold is that it shakes and the passenger seat and the dash start to rattle a bit but once warm and car on the move, it seems fine. Overall, no problems with the car.

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  2016 Toyota Camry SE - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By B. Page - February 1 - 8:39 am

  We bought the car for my wife but we both love it. Since we have only had it a few weeks I couldnt say on reliability but if first impressions are worth anything reliability wont be an issue. The 2016 Camry SE looks greet inside and out. Smooth quiet ride, and very comfortable to drive or ride in. Really very happy with this vehicle!

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  The 2011 Camry LE is excellent. - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By Jimmy - January 31 - 11:16 pm

  Like most I was a bit hesitant about purchasing a Camry and it had the be the V6 no matter what. Well, they let me take a 4 cylinder overnight, that changed my mind. Tthe ride and performance were excellent, the fit a finish were also excellent. Add the 0% for 5 years and two years of free oil changes. I went ahead a purchased it. I am very happy.

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  Adequate, in the best sense of the word. - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By hiimjkim - January 31 - 9:52 am

  The 2012 Camry SE V6 is in a word, adequate. It has adequate acceleration, (Motor trend pegs it at 5.8 seconds from 0-60mph http://tinyurl.com/d8tzp6t) I found that it handles adequately, moderately comfortable and fuel efficient. Once inside, the redesigned interior is simultaneously attractive and soothing. The seat warmers and the white ambient lighting makes one think that they are in a safe, plain, family car. It doesnt fool itself as a sports-sedan, but the power of its engine does make one forget about the allure of a sports car, even for a brief moment.

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  Best in Class Mid-Size Sedan. - 2018 Toyota Camry
  By Miracle Max - January 31 - 1:41 am

  You can not put a price tag on your life. The Camry 2018 is the only sedan in its class that comes STANDARD with a Pre-Collision warning system and drivers safety aids. The ride is Extremely Smooth, the interior and exterior styling are mind-blowing. Camry went from being Boring and Bland to Jaw Dropping sexy. As for MPG and performance, I thought the needle was stuck on F for the first 3 days that I owned it or 125 Miles. The MPG you get get with the performance is bar-None. The 8-Speed transmission helps keep your RPMs very Low while cruising and when you need to accelerate it exploits all 203 Horsepower in the motor! Its not Fast compared to a V6 but for a 4 Cylinder it is extremely impressive. Everything works perfectly. Could not ask for a better Sedan.