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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  Another Toyota Win - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By chewy - May 10 - 10:00 am

  This is my third toyota, and the first I bought new. The others, including an 87 Celica, gave me 150K and 220K respectivly. The car has been trouble- free and my current resale value is around a third of my purchase price; after 8 years. Overall, one of the best cars Ive owned

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  2002 CAMRY SE V6 Automatic - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Sumeet - May 10 - 10:00 am

  okay first of all let me state that im a 20 year old hp hungry 0-60 timing blood thirsty performance oriented driver, and i drive a camry. i love it, i got a dark blue one and just recently tinted it out and i literally get 100 compliments a day, only i wish TRD would start making some high performance products such as an air filter or body kits of the sort, hopefully theyll do it soon.....

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  Happy with 07 for sure! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Happy with 07 - May 7 - 10:33 pm

  Traded my 05 300c Hemi for an 05 avalon for better MPG. Saw the new 07 Camry and it was much sexier than the Avalon. Same engine but that awesome 6 speed. Much better calibrated than the five speed in the Avalon and handles much better. Doesnt look frumpy either and I get lots of compliments. Tough going from a Hemi to a 6 speed V- 6, but it still has plenty of zip just not as much torque. Feels very nice inside as well. Reliable and predicted to get great mileage. I get about 22 around town and 31 on rural roads. Drops to 28 when I hit 80 MPH and the air is on, still very acceptable. I would recommend this car to anyone in the $30K< bracket for sure.

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  Good to Own - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By Jamie Du - May 6 - 10:00 am

  Very quiet and Quicky Acceleration in Vechicle

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  Poor exterior body paint - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Otto Ramlee - May 6 - 10:00 am

  Car is comfortable to be driven, handling is good, excellent fuel economy on highway and city driving. Poor body paint job, thin and easily scratch by light bump. Trunk is quite large but trunk lid is made so light that it requires a push right on the center top of the lid. Automatic light sensor is not install as written in the manual, unlike on Corolla it comes standard. Overall this car offers good value for a family sedan.

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  I like my 2003 better - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By BRCamry - May 6 - 7:00 am

  I like the ride and mpg, but attention to detail has slipped the past few years. My 2003 Camry got the same mileage and it was a little more comfortable. The car handles well enough and will haul five people comfortably. The engine seems to have more power than my 2003 Camry. This is my third Camry and I have had great luck with them. But after buying the Camry, I wished I had looked at the Accord and Sonata a little closer.

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  225,000 miles, runs fine - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By troyboy4 - May 5 - 6:16 am

  Bought my 96 LE V6 used with 32,000 miles - today it has 225,000 and still runs good. I have been waiting for some major repair to come-up, but it has never happened. original engine and transmission - repairs have been - power steering hoses, cv boots, water pump, starter- thats about it nothing major. excellent - glad I bought the V6, I think they last longer than the 4 bangers

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  Safe car if you are in are rear ended but terrible - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By Z Minhas - May 4 - 1:52 pm

  I purchased two 2015 Toyota Camry at once - one was an impulse buy. Ride and comfort are terrible - seats are absolutely atrocious - especially the driver seat. There is no cushion and I have a constant back pain now. Tire wore out on both cars quickly and so did the brakes - the only good part is that the car saved my wifes life when she was rear-ended on the highway at full speed by a distracted motorist. crumple zones did their job - my wife did sustain back and neck injuries but that was due to the impact. Geico would not write off the car, after $10,000 in repairs - so i have to drive it - the car run ok but the comfort issues are there. Will be trading this car for something better - any recommendation?

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  Great Car - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By bubba waller - May 4 - 10:00 am

  This xle 4 cyl has good pickup with great gas mileage. I am 63 and feel very comftorable in this car.

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  I dig my new SE V6 - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By burre - May 3 - 12:23 pm

  Took delivery last week of my black on black SE V6 with 400 JBL sound system. This car seems like the perfect driving machine. I dumped my 2008 Cooper S Turbo for this, as it was too small and not good for family or road trips. The SE is faster, much bigger and far more comfortable to drive for long distances. It is the perfect balance of sport and sedan. I cant imagine someone needing a better car than this. My family likes it way better too!