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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  Toyota has no credability - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By eddieb - May 8 - 10:00 am

  My 2007 4 cylindercamry has always vibrated in drive with the ac on when stopped. This is how the dealer handled it. First we changed to name brand high test gas. Then we had multiple computer adjustments to 750 rpm at idle. In a short time it dropped to 500 rpm and back to the vibration. Then they did a top engine cleaner at a cost to me of $100.00 now they they say I need a new throttle valve assembly that is defective at a cost of $1000.00 dollars. Toyota will pick up $500.00 but alas its out of warranty! P. S. Toyota awful. Never again

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  2011 SE Road Noise - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By GoHuskers - May 8 - 10:00 am

  It is a nice vehicle for the price. I got mine with the se package, msrp 25,569. Dealer agreed to sell for 22,500, with $1000 Toyota graduate rebate brings it down to $21,500 so I consider it the best deal in the class. Everything is nice, look nice, sporty, handle well, good gas mileage, big trunk, and really roomy inside.

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  Great Car witha few overlooked items! - 2018 Toyota Camry
  By Brandon - May 6 - 5:49 am

  First off I am not brand specific. I have owned 1 Mercury, 1 Honda, 1 Hyundai, 1 Chevy, 1 Kia, 2 Nissans, and 3 Mazdas. This is my first Toyota. The car has great safety features that come standard including: Automatic braking with forward collision warning, radar cruise control, and lane keep assist. But somethings seem to have been forgotten probably to save money because these features come standard. Such as no push button start, poor interior dome lighting, and poor interior storage. The front map lights do not come on with the doors open. And no there is no setting that can be turned on. Just the very dim rear dome light is all you have inside at night when entering. The dome light is a regular incandescent bulb where as every other light is a LED. It looks out of place. Some models do have these things but my SE model does not. Also I am slightly disappointed that the car only has one 12v power outlet and one usb connector. Should have more for a family sedan. The connected Navigation thru Scout GPS is okay at best. Android auto would have been better. The shifting is very smooth but clearly geared toward economy. It tries to shift very early keeping rpms too low for the four cylinder engine. You have to give the throttle pedal a good push too keep the rpms up while accelerating. I would have liked to see the transmission programmed for more sport in the SE and XSE models. Really my gripes are very minor and I love the car. Now for the stuff I like. Exterior looks are personal but I love it. I never considered a Camry before this model. This looks dare I say sporty. It also driver very good. Handling and road holding are very good. Mine has the 2.5 four cylinder and acceleration as more than adequate. On our recent trip to Panama city which is 850 miles round trip the car averaged 42 mpg for the trip. Very impressive. Seats are fantastic and the car rides very well. The LED headlight are amazing. By far the best headlights I have ever had. My cars color is Galactic Aqua which is very dark metallic blue. I have received several compliments already on the color. I wont get into every aspect but overall this a very good car. I feel a few tweaks to some of the interior and this would be a great car. I am loving driving it and overall I love it.

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  My Camry - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By JJ - May 5 - 9:53 pm

  Totally satisfied with entire vehicle. No complaints. Extremely impressed with handling, comfort, gas mileage, and sound system.

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  DO NOT BUY 2016 CAMRY LE - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By G. G. Jayasinghe - May 4 - 1:14 pm

  Do not buy this [non-permissible content removed] car! I used drive 2012 Camry and I had it for 3 years. I never had issues with it and I loved it. I just had an accident couple of weeks ago. Our family needed a car so bad that we decided to buy a new car. The dealership kind of tricked us. They knew our situation and made us lease this crappy 2016 Camry LE. They never asked us to test drive the vehicle, it was around 6.30pm at night, they knew our situation and we trusted Camrys. They used our situation to sell this crappy car to us. We ended up with this hideous looking car that makes me feel like Im driving a piece of plastic. More importantly, there is a distortion in the windshield, mirror buttons arent working properly, and the car stereo jams when I put mirror heaters. And the sound quality is nothing like what we had in 2012 Camry. 2016 Camry is not only cheap looking, its CHEAP QUALITY. Do not buy or lease this crap! We are in a big mess trying to get out of the lease we signed. We only drove this car for a week and totally disappointed in Toyota and Camrys! We no longer have the same trust for Camrys! If anybody wants to buy 2016 Camry, test drive it, and look carefully all the features and functionality. But I still dont recommend buying this car! I dont understand what they have really improved in this car compared to 2012 Camry LE. 2012 Camry LE had a much better, classy look I would say. Camry doesnt have the same look anymore, it looks like cheap version of Corolla.

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  my first car! - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By fighton - May 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my first car ever, and I love it. Its cute, so its attractive to younger people (me) but my dad also loves it. My mom kept saying that back seats have much leg room. You cant hear the engine running either inside or outside the car. Also, the sound system isnt all that bad either!

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  This is a great car! - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By Shirlee - May 3 - 10:00 am

  My 1996 1996 Toyota Collectors edition 4-dr Camry is the best car Ive ever owned (in 33 years). It is very roomy, dependable and fun to drive. In the Pacific NW we have alot of SUVs but my Camry drives through ice and snow like a champion.

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  Love it but the Rear Defrost needs work! - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By lrlquist - May 3 - 2:13 am

  Previously owned a Corolla & during a lapse of judgement went with GM for awhile. Back to Toyota with no regrets. 30 mpg, comfortable ride, easy access to everything. Plenty of power but no metro driving means no need anyway. Have 2 teenage boys and they have plenty of legroom in the back which was main reason for moving up to the Camry.

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  An Excellent Value - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Mathewsv0 - May 2 - 9:00 pm

  I recently purchased a 2008 Toyota Camry CE with the five speed manual transmission and I must say it is truly a pleasure to drive. The clutch has the right amount of travel, the shifting operation is smooth, and the power of the engine is great whether youre driving in the city or on the highway. The fit and finish of the interior is excellent with a lot of shoulder and head room. The seats are also positioned in a way that is very comfortable. In this price range it offers quite a bit. Im only twenty years of age and Im impressed with this car even though it is marketed towards a different crowd.

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  Worry free/comfort - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Dave - April 28 - 8:36 am

  I love my Camry. I took it on a multi-state ski trip; it was such a smooth quiet ride through the mountains, no problem in slush and light snowy back roads. I am 64 and no problem with leg and head room. I really like the new body design, and I love the car and am thinking of selling my wifes car for another Toyota, maybe rav 4, to add to collection. Hopefully being this is my first toy, there will be many years of no problems. :)