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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  2017 Camry XSE V6 - 2017 Toyota Camry
  By John Smith - August 9 - 6:58 pm

  So far I love this car! Very well made, no rattles, Quiet. Great acceleration. Not to impressed with xm or the voice commands but I may not know fully how to use it yet. This model is fully loaded and I cant think of anything else I would want. Oh yeah, the led headlights are incredible! Also led high beams and auto high beams and driving lights. I do wish they had continued the leds in the back. And I think all Camrys have (real transmissions) not those CVTs I hate those.

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  Disappointed owner - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By r b - August 9 - 9:58 am

  This car had an oil consumption issue. Toyota considers 1 qt. per 1100 miles normal. For me the oil consumption and loss of gas mileage was not acceptable nor normal. The final detail was the resale value. In 2012 I paid $13,000 for the car. In 2015 a Toyota dealer would only give me $3,000 trade in value. This car was a loss from start to finish. No part of the Toyota ad campaign in true.

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  Worth Every Penny - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By L-A - August 8 - 5:23 pm

  Its our first Toyota Camry. We decided to purchase one after our old 88 BMW required frequent maintenance. Rides quietly. Very roomy. We traveled outside the city on the weekend for more than 2 hrs and my passengers were in total comfort! I wish I was in the back enjoying the ride. The downside of the car: climate control can need more power for the back passengers, weak acceleration from start, blind spots are many (due to airbag compartments) I had to install two blind spot mirrors. Amazing fuel consumption esp. in LA where theres 24/7 traffic. Music qualitys fantastic. Spacious trunk. I love driving big cars so Camrys the perfect size

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  GREAT CAR! - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By labman4 - August 8 - 1:49 am

  Have just over 3k miles on my camry. Overall this is a great car. I traded in my 2010 highlander limited on this vehicle.Although i went down in price point, this car is just as nice.Has a few more features than my Highlander ie. lane departure warning system and pandora.Mpg is about 30 if i keep my foot out of it. The power is what most surprised me out of a V6. The previous reviewer did not like the seats, but I like them better than the highlander which had almost "0" bolster support. You wont go wrong with this car!

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  I like it but Im nervous - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By ATL Driver - August 7 - 9:20 pm

  I did not notice any hesitation with the transmission until after I read about it last summer, and now I sense a slight bit occasionally. Seats are fine, in fact of all the smaller sedans this is the most comfortable I found for the price as I am 6-2" and 250#. Front cowling split on a high curb early that will never be fixed. I have not had it in for any problems in 15 months or 25K miles. It appears to be luck of the draw with the drive train.

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  Great car - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Russ Hamel - August 7 - 8:23 pm

  We purchased our 2002 Camry in Jan.2002. This our first Toyota, replacing a 1997 Taurus. The Camry is smoother, quieter, roomier and more fun to drive. This car is well-equipped for a basic-model Camry. Other than an instrument cluster that was replaced at 15000 miles for giving erratic readings, we have had no problems whatsoever. With 75,000 miles, this car still drives like new. I would definitely buy another one.

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  Clapped out camry but still runs well - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By vitzy - August 7 - 2:36 am

  I bought it second hand from a first owner who had from th start to now, its totally clapped suspension and some exterior panels needs serious attention, hoping to restore the car. I love this car.

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  engine noise - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Ronald Kennedy - August 4 - 6:18 am

  Bought this Camry new in June 2009.Has the 2.5 engine. It has 24400 miles. It has developed a clatter in the engine. I had a mechanic look at it and he said it sounded like the timing chain. He did some research and found several tech bulletins relating to timing chains and engine noise. This was my first Toyota and will be my last. Repair was estimated to be $1000.Not gonna happen.

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  I wish they still made these - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By AlaskaDave - August 3 - 5:43 pm

  I bought this Camry in Anchorage, Alaska with 152,000 miles on it. It has been a fantastic vehicle. It now has traveled 185,000 miles and it still gets 19 city 26 hwy mpg, runs like a top, performs well, and is very comfortable for a large person (6 2" 230 lb). And everything still works! The only thing I would change if I could is to have a Camry wagon like this with AWD. That would truly be a car for the long term.

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  No Cruising, Poor shifting - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Viv - August 3 - 3:20 pm

  Had an excellent 2001 Camry LE. Bought a 2007 Camry LE and wish I had kept my 2001. It doesnt shift properly, when you slow down in traffic and then accelerate to move forward it hesitates. Trying to get onto a highway I need to be sure I have plenty of space and time because the car does not accelerate fast enough. Forget cruise control - it doesnt keep a steady speed, it slows down and suddenly accelerates, I have had close calls. Im thinking of trading it in. It has poor MPG. I like the way it looks, but its performance leaves much to be desired.