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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  Disappointed with the Camry - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Ron B - March 27 - 10:00 am

  This car jerks before it accelerates. It lurks when the brakes are applied. The interior materials looks like its made of cheap plastic. The color is ugly. Parts of the engine, drive shafts, bolts, nuts, show very early rusting, and got worse after a year. It is so underpowered that it makes a lot of vibration and noise during acceleration. I would not recommend this car.

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  Almost awesome - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Richard Moller - March 24 - 11:55 pm

  Japanese car makers understand that a person will drive their car, and they usually engineer their cars to make all controls easily accessible. Sit in an American car, and you have to reach for often used controls--like radio knobs. (I recently rented an American car and I had to stop the car to find the headlight switch--it was hidden by the steering wheel and could not be seen while driving!) The 2016 Camry I just purchased is mostly driver friendly, but I am not happy to report that I must reach for the radio tuning button. (There may be a seek button on the graphics display which I will eventually find, but I prefer to use the manual knob and keep my eyes on the road when I am on a long trip and need to find for a new station when the previous station begins to fade out of range.) I am also disappointed that the 2016 models all have black as their primary interior color. I live in Houston, where black is a terrible car interior color during most of the year. (Mine has a partial ash-grey interior color, and I must say--is a GREAT two-tone look. But I really wish they offered a tan interior, with comparable exterior color, as a color option.) One last note, and this may apply to all new cars, since they use computers to regulate gas combustion: it can take quite a while before you see true MPG readings after purchasing a new car. It takes a combination of city and highway driving before the computer has enough info to regulate the engine properly. In my case, it was about at the 450-mile mark, almost one month after I bought the car. Before that, I was seeing 18-19 MPG highway or city. I am now approaching 24 MPG and expect it to get a little better the more I drive the car. So far, I am very happy with my purchase. But between the lack of color choices and having to reach for controls, I am worried that Toyota is getting sloppy with their car design.

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  Top o the line - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By jimfromva - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Best car made!!!!!!!!! Smooth ride, handles curves like their nothing and a great sound system to boot. Buy it!

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  True Toyota Reliabilty - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By Jared Olson - March 23 - 1:33 am

  I purchased this car in 2008 with 155k miles. This car was properly maintained and because of that, it was in practically new condition when I bought it. The only thing that had to be replaced in its lifetime was the water pump, which almost any car needs replaced at that age. It also had new wheels and brake pads. I test drove a newer Mitsubishi for the same price. Compared to the Camry, the Mitsubishi felt like a golf cart. The build quality of a Toyota is like non other, except for Lexus (but theyre made by Toyota anyway). If properly maintained, this car could easily last 300,000 or more miles.

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  A Super Reliable Good-Looking Car - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By tigerfork - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I have had no major problems in eight years, put lots of miles on it and it still looks like new!

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  Camry SE - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Jessie42275 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has it all. Good looks, good ride, and best all Toyota reliability. I can say i drove alot out there and almost settled for a taurus but the the new Camry come along and changed all that. The ride is a little on the firm side but it is the sport model and bang for buck it by far beat the rest.

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  Been a good ride - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By TexasOwner - March 21 - 9:30 am

  Bought it with 36k miles and now have over 200k. The car has held up nicely. Have had some brake issues that were corrected, struts have been junk since the day I bought it and required several change in tires through the years at around 20-25k mile intervals. Better than spending the 1k plus they wanted to repair. I have had to replace an axle, rack and pinion, door handles, roof liner, and a few other small things. Probably spent 2k through the years on maintenance. All in all we have been very pleased with Camry.

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  Camry Problems - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By 207roy04064 - March 20 - 6:16 pm

  2008 Camry was sluggish and changed gears often. Cruise control varied 5 to 6 mph from actual setting. Traded this Camry 1 year after purchase. Bought it new 9/2007. Since purchase the CD player had to be replaced, did not pass state inspection because 4 struts were leaking. Then a front wheel bearing had to be replaced. This was a very unreliable car so I traded it in.

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  YOUVE GOTTA GET ONE!! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Steve Martin - March 19 - 5:16 am

  Ive only had my 2007 SE 4-cyl Camry for a few days now. I love the way it looks and handles. I had a 97 Camry LE for 9-1/2 years & put 187k miles on it. Im amazed at how far Toyota has come with this model. The ground effects, curves & rims give it a very Lexus-like look. I hope to get another 9-1/2 years out of this one!!

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  6 months later looking to ditch my XLE - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By neil0311 - March 18 - 2:23 pm

  I rated this car pretty high when I first bought it. 6 months and 7K mi later, and the tranny has been replaced, the dash rattled all winter, and the starter makes weird noises when its cold. BUILD QUALITY IS TERRIBLE. Im so disappointed that I may take the hit and just ditch this for something I feel good about driving that doesnt rattle like a 10 year old piece of junk. Im just amazed that these issues havent gotten more widespread notice. DO NOT BUY an 07 Camry new or used, unless you enjoy visiting the dealer often.