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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  Love it! - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Tennessee Girl - June 19 - 2:26 am

  I went from a Ford Expedition to my Camry because I couldnt afford the gas in the Ford anymore. (My gas mileage is wonderful, consistently around 33 mpg.) I have owned the car for 5 months and have only one complaint, the radio doesnt pick up most stations very well. Other than that I love my Camry! I definitely would recommend this car.

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  built to last - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By RHOPE - June 18 - 10:00 am

  Good quality,ok pickup,stops great,quiet ride,great CD and radio. 32mph on the radd, 30mph in town,Heated seats are nice,impressed so far

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  Honda is out, Toyota is in - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By dwarflord - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I looked at Accord and Camry. Looking at the Honda I noticed a lot of fit and finish problems I had never seen on any of my previous 4 hondas. I then drove a camry and the comfort and feel was a big jump over, not only the civic, but the accord as well. The ride was so quiet, no engine noise, no creaks, no rattles and very very smooth. I owned a tacoma in the past as well and had 0 problems in the 4 years I owned it, never ever took it in. In the 8 months I owned my civic I had it in the dealership 3x for all different issues, last of which was a transmission problem at less than 6k miles. I guess its a good time to trade up to a toyota now.

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  Amazing! - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By pastordy - June 17 - 10:23 pm

  Just bought my 1997 Camry with 129k miles after doing a lot of research. The unsurpassed reliability of these vehicles speak for themselves. I bought from the original owner who only replaced it because he bought a new one. I love the extra power of the V6. Its got a lot of pep. Not sure about mileage yet, but guessing somewhere in the low 20s. All I know if Ive got a car with potentially another 150k or more to go. Cant beat that for what I paid. Thanks Toyota for making quality vehicles in a sea of mediocrity.

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  Transmission not a problem to fix - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Mike - June 17 - 5:43 am

  I noticed the transmission problems with my 2010 Camry. After having a 1998,1999, and a 2009 Camry I realized this transmission was different. I took it back to the dealership and explained problem. I was told that there where some problems with the fluid and they would need the car for about two hours of changing and driving the car then changing it again. Happy to report that it has worked.

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  THE BEST Car that you can buy! - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By gtgtcobra - June 16 - 3:30 pm

  I just leased this car for 3 years. My 2010 Camry LE 4 cylinder automatic is VERY comfortable and VERY quiet. Everything about this car is excellent. Its economical and it also has a large gas tank so you can really go a very long distance on a full tank of gas. I got an average of 24.6 MPG on my 2nd tank of gas with only 708 miles on the odometer. I went 444.4 miles on a full tank of gas on the 2nd fill-up. The MPG fuel economy gets even better to 30 MPG as you put more mileage on the car. The Camry is also very nice looking and it has plenty of room inside and it also has a lot of trunk space/room. The fit and finish on this car is very good. You cant go wrong with this car. This is an excellent car and this car rocks!!

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  A great choice! - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By lobeck - June 16 - 10:00 am

  We had looked at all similar cars and were pretty sold on the 02 Passatt. After leaving the VW dealership, we passed a Toyota dealership and thought wed test drive the Camry just to see if our minds could be changed. Boy, are we glad we did! The XLE-V6 is a fantastic car! The only options we didnt get were the spoiler and the navigation system, and it was still about $4K less than the Passatt. Id definitely consider the Camry...

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  Boring, Boring, Boring! - 2014 Toyota Camry
  By rickyb3 - June 16 - 4:28 am

  Some journalists have referred to the Camry as an "appliance". A toaster toasts, a washer washes and a car drives. Ho Hum. Is that supposed to be it? Is that all there is for all this money we have to throw at a car purchase? After 2 Corolla Sports, (2003, 2010) that I found economical and fun to drive, this car isnt. It has a big boring car feel and absolutely no personality. Numb is the best way I can describe it. Yes, it has a nicely appointed interior, is fairly comfortable and seems to have enough power. It is better looking, especially in the front end, than its LE and XLE siblings. But that isnt enough anymore. This is just a very reliable point A to point B vehicle. Ho Hum.

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  A Good Option - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Baudilio C - June 15 - 4:23 pm

  I have owned this car for almost two years now, and so far no problems. I am getting from 29-31 mpg when I drive it more than 90% of the time on the highway. The car is very spacious inside and the radio system sounds pretty good actually. I have the A/C on the minimum all the time and I live in Miami; thats how cold it is. Right now my Camry has 50K miles.

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  What a nice ride! - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Dale - June 14 - 2:43 pm

  I purchased this Camry to help ease my pocketbook with the rising gas prices. It has an incredibly comfortable ride! Even compared to my 2005 Cadillac Deville. You feel the quality workmanship that went into the making of this car. Go buy one!