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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  TNGA Platform is wonderful - 2018 Toyota Camry
  By Jason H - December 7 - 8:11 am

  Purchased a XSE V6 (after considering Lexus ES, Audi S and BWM 4). The pictures do the car no justice-this is a beautiful looking vehicle in person. As such, Ive gotten quite a few stares and inquiries as people try to figure out what kind of car it is, and there is a healthy dose of incredulity when I tell them its a Camry. And thats just the exterior. I have the Cockpit Red interior and it really sets the car off-its WELL DONE. And it fits me well at 6/280#, Im as comfortable in this as I was in my 2008 Toyota Avalon XLS. I agree with the editorial review about the technology layout and functionality, and concur that the interior storage space is on the anemic side. The engine has just enough power to motivate you wherever you need to go when you need to get there without being petro-hungry. The 8-speed transmission will take some getting use to, and the handling and ride quality are great, what you would expect with 19" wheels with VR-rated rubber. The engine and exterior noise complaints arent really an issue when the JBL Premium audio is on, so unless you are driving in silence, you wont notice it. Overall, I give the 2018 Toyota Camry XSE V6 a solid 4-star rating.

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  Camry Review - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By Emmy - December 7 - 2:00 am

  We leased this car in 1998, had to return it to the dealer in 2001, then bought it back in 2002 because we missed it so much.

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  Buy It - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By meisterbob - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Have less than 1000 mile on it but I want to give you my opinion. Buy this car. The quality can not be touched by Ford or Chevy. Thats it.

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  A REAL JOY - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By MICKEY - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE MY CAMRY NOW ABOUT 10 DAYS. THERE IS NOTHING NOT TO LIKE ABOUT THIS CAR.LEXUS QUIET,GREAT 6CD CHANGER,BUTT WARMERS OUT OF SIGHT AND MADE TO LAST FOREVER. THE ONLY PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WITH THE AM BAND OF THE RADIO, WHICH IS FULL OF STATIC. I WONDER IF THE WINDOW ANTENNA IS THE PROBLEM OR JUST A LOOSE CONNECTION. FIRST TANK GOT ME 30 MPG

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  Close to perfection - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By far_star - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I considered Toyota Camry for the reliability. The concerns about bland styling left me when I saw one and said "Is this really a Camry?" It looked so darn good. From the numbers, the Camrys solid. Ive owned it for a while and love the luxurious feel. The car is quiet beyond belief and the smooth ride is wonderful. Breaking is good. The XLE offers more features than I can count. My 4 cyl version is suprisingly powerful. My boss drove it she said, "So you got the 6 cyl huh?" She was shocked to learn it was a 4 cyl. Overall this car rocks ! Who says that this vehicle is for the over 40 crowd. I am in my 20s and am prowd to own it. I am liking this car more each day I drive it.

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  Great car for the money - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Sun Lvr - December 4 - 5:43 am

  This is a fun and nice car smooth ride and fast. For the money you cant beat this car and I feel it will go forever and while I drive I feel confident and secure. Compare to BMW and Acura or Benz to this car and the SE wins, it will stand its own against any of these cars. The fuel economy is ok I got 24 mpg with regular not bad for a 3.3 liter engine. I was cruising at 100 mph and it had much more but Im still breaking in. Buy this car.

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  Still running like new around 100K - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By Kiran - December 3 - 9:22 am

  Reliability with value for money, average performance and low maintenance is what this car offers. I have 92K miles on it and it is still running like new. Changed fluids, brakes, battery and tires. Car was able to withstand weather conditions as low as -20Deg F and it starts without issues. In 92K miles of driving, it never broke down on the road, except for a punctured tire.

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  Excellent car - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Eugene Y Song - December 3 - 2:00 am

  It is a nice car but be careful to the dealer. THey can set a trap for you just because it is a nice car and you want to buy.

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  Hard to beat a Camry - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By brianc - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Last Camry I bought in 1994 went 138,000 miles before I had any problems at all. My previous car was a 2001 Maxima, didnt care for the harsh ride, and the car didnt feel very tight. My new Camry is very smooth and its really something to get such good gas mileage out of a full size car.

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  Great car..good buy - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Deedee - December 3 - 2:00 am

  A really smooth ride