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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  Camry with a TRD Attitude - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Edmund - January 10 - 10:36 am

  I just recently purchased a Blue ribbon Metallic 2007 Camry SE V6 and it has been nothing but PURE EXHILARATION. The car has a top notch acceleration, sleek sporty look "A Real Head Turner!", a luxurious comfort feature, and a fuel consumption that is best in the class. I have researched thoroughly and found that the car just simply outshines against all of its competitors. Now all of my friends envy me for having a 4 door sedan that looks and acts like a SPORT MACHINE. They all say "Is that a camry?" and I say "YES ITS A CAMRY!"

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  Good car for Canadian teenager - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By Derek1269 - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Great car it has over 190,000klm and still runs great. Never a doubt that it will breakdown needs a little more strength for highway travel with 5 occupants along with better suspension. Reliability is what makes this car great at my dealership a man owns a camry with over 600,000klms and he "drives the hell out of it" the exterior will go before the engine

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  The ultimate car - 1992 Toyota Camry
  By Xthegrim - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I have interacted with a lot of vehicles in my years but I am simply floored by this car. I have never seen anything so easy to work on. The car pulls 25-37 mpg with the 2.2 and a 5speed. It can get up and go and with a set of decent rims it handles better then a lot of sport cars. I picked up a brand new motorcycle just before I bought this car and I literally had trouble deciding on which to drive because this car was so awesome. I was recently t-boned in this car and I left with a few scratches and the other person left on a stretcher. I love my Camry and I will keep buying them. Car had 175k and ran so quiet I kept trying to start it when it was already running.

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  Just wont die - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By L C V - January 7 - 8:54 am

  Engine was replaced before I got it, needs new struts and I broke off the passenger side mirror but who cares, theyre $20 online. This is my second camry (upgraded from a 1997). Only reason I had to replace the car was my previous camry got rear ended. V4 runs better than the v6 (at least the camrys I had). Im not sure why its listed as having only 20mpg - I fill my tank up once every 10 days driving 40 miles 5 days a week. I get as much mileage if not better than my 06 elantra did. Car insurance is low, car taxes are low (yes, Im in one of the states that taxes cars) and I havent had a car payment in 4 years. Ive done 0 repairs on this car in 10 months, just spent about $30 on oil (bit of a leak I suppose). Meanwhile my husbands hyundai needed $800 worth of work at 80k miles. Cons: the moon roof allows for leakage when it rains, which really sucks. Large coconut smelling yankee candle scented thing covers that, though. Seat is so old it hurts so I had to get a seat cushion. And the tape player has a loud rickety-rack (this was in both my camrys) - it doesnt play tapes that well, but a tape adapter + smartphone works just fine. But these are superficial issues and once I get the strut and mirror fixed thatll be $600 of work Ive had to do in a year (compare that to a $200+/mo car payment!!)

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  Former Nissan Fan - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By allriedge - January 6 - 5:13 am

  Traded in my 1999 for a 2002 Camry. I initially had my heart set on a 2002 Nissan Altima until I test drove a 2002 Toyota Camry SE V6. The newly designed exterior of the Altima is sharp. Altimas drawback: noisy ride. The Camrys quiet (shhhhh) ride, roomy cabin and interior fit and finish left the Altima in the dust. That, added to the cars solid feel, handling and excellent reliability made the Camry an easy choice. I know I would have had regrets if I had purchased the Altima.

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  Great car - 2017 Toyota Camry
  By Rodney - January 5 - 2:56 am

  If you want a dependable, good looking car at a value 2017 camry 2.5 se. No crappy cvt transmission. This car handles great and has surprisingly good get up and go.

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  best 93 car - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By bikemaster02\ - January 2 - 10:00 am

  This car is an inline 4 and very zippy! It goes 0-60 in under 10 seconds. and has wonderful fuel economy. I havent had it for long but so far it is a great car

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  Body shaping - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By dealer - January 2 - 10:00 am

  The car is very nice to drive, excellent engine and really impressive interior design.

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  Toyota Crushes Honda/Nissan - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By xmltoyota - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Well! We love our Camry. Hands down the best in its class for the money. Few problems exterior paint and interior/exterior trim) all fixed by dealer. Unfortunately, it must be a QC problem at the US plant (Go For better appointments you will have to go to the Lexis ES300. But I will match it with my Camry head-to-head performance wise. You just pay more ($10,000 roughly) for the better standard features, options, interior styling and better service (free loaner cars). Anyway, for the money you cannot beat this family Sedan.

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  still going strong - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By KunkyMonkey - January 2 - 4:30 am

  Had been a truck person my whole life but took a new job with a lot of miles on the road and couldnt handle to cost of gas with my pickup. I bought this car with 60k on it and have it up too 209k now. Motor and trans run super strong and I get about 35 mpg on the freeway. Very reliable and drive about 5-600 miles a week on it. I change the oil regularly with ease and havent had one problem with the motor. Only problem is the driver door handle on the inside broke and have to roll down the window to open the door from the outside. Also replaced the rear struts at 190k but did it myself with ease. I highly recommend this car to anyone that wants a great car with great mpg