The Toyota Camry has been a popular midsize sedan in the United States for decades. Known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and comfortable ride, the Camry appeals to both daily commuters and family buyers. In this review, we explore the latest Camry, covering design, interior, engine, mileage, features, safety, ride quality, price, competitors, and who should consider it.
Design: Modern Yet Practical
The Toyota Camry has a design that balances style and practicality. Its exterior features a sleek front grille, sharp headlights, and a low, wide stance that gives it a modern look without being flashy.
From the side, the car shows clean lines and a gently sloping roof that enhances aerodynamics. The rear is simple but functional, with taillights that are easy to see at night. The design appeals to buyers who prefer a conservative, professional look rather than sporty or aggressive styling.
The Camry is available in multiple trims, each with minor exterior changes, including alloy wheel options and chrome accents. Overall, it is a car that looks contemporary but remains timeless, which suits families and commuters who value understated style.
Interior: Comfortable and User-Friendly
Inside, the Camry focuses on comfort and practicality. The cabin is spacious for a midsize sedan, offering ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. Seats are supportive, making long drives more comfortable, and higher trims provide leather upholstery and heated seats.
The dashboard is clean and straightforward, with large, easy-to-read gauges and an intuitive infotainment system. The standard touchscreen supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which makes connecting smartphones simple. Storage space is sufficient, with a decent glove compartment, cup holders, and a 15.1 cubic-foot trunk suitable for groceries, luggage, or school bags.
Overall, the interior is well-suited for families, daily commuting, and occasional road trips, offering comfort without being overly luxurious.
Engine Options: Reliable and Efficient
The Toyota Camry comes with multiple engine options. The base model typically features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing around 203 horsepower. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth acceleration and good fuel efficiency.
For those seeking more power, the Camry offers a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering around 301 horsepower. This option adds extra punch for highway merging and overtaking but sacrifices some fuel economy.
Hybrid versions are also available, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor for improved efficiency. The hybrid Camry produces about 208 total horsepower and excels in city driving due to regenerative braking and electric-only low-speed operation.
Mileage: Good for Daily Commuters
Fuel economy is a strong point for the Camry, especially the four-cylinder and hybrid models.
- The 2.5-liter four-cylinder averages 28–29 mpg in the city and 39–41 mpg on the highway.
- The 3.5-liter V6 averages 22 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
- The hybrid model offers 51 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway.
These figures make the Camry practical for daily commuters who want a balance of performance and efficiency. Owners will likely spend less on fuel compared to larger sedans or SUVs.
Features: Tech and Comfort for Modern Drivers
The Toyota Camry comes with a solid list of features, even on the base trim. Standard items include a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, and keyless entry.
Higher trims add features like a larger 9-inch touchscreen, premium audio system, wireless charging, ventilated seats, and a panoramic sunroof. Safety features are also advanced, with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ included on all trims. This suite adds lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and road sign assist.
For buyers looking for convenience and tech, the Camry offers a balance of essential and advanced features without overcomplicating the cabin.
Safety: Top-Notch Ratings
Safety is a major reason families choose the Camry. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) consistently awards the Camry 5-star overall ratings. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also names it a Top Safety Pick, depending on the trim and headlights.
Active safety features include:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane keeping assist
- Blind-spot monitoring (on higher trims)
- Rear cross-traffic alert
These systems provide extra confidence for daily drivers, school runs, and highway travel. Combined with a strong safety cage and multiple airbags, the Camry is one of the safer options in the midsize sedan segment.
Ride Quality: Smooth and Comfortable
The Toyota Camry delivers a comfortable ride with a suspension tuned for daily driving. On city streets, it absorbs bumps and uneven pavement well, keeping passengers comfortable.
The steering is precise, and the cabin remains quiet at highway speeds, reducing fatigue on longer trips. While it is not designed for sporty handling like some European sedans, it provides predictable and stable handling, which is ideal for family buyers and commuting drivers.
In short, the Camry balances ride comfort with competent handling, making it a practical and reliable daily driver.
Price: Affordable and Competitive
The Camry’s pricing is competitive within the midsize sedan segment.
- The base LE trim starts around $28,000.
- Mid-level XLE trims are priced around $33,000–$36,000.
- The top-end XSE V6 and hybrid trims can reach $40,000–$42,000.
These prices are reasonable considering the Camry’s reliability, fuel efficiency, and safety features. Optional packages are available, but the base model offers a strong value proposition for daily commuters and families.
Rivals: How It Stacks Up
The Camry competes with several midsize sedans in the USA, including:
- Honda Accord – Known for a spacious interior and sporty handling.
- Nissan Altima – Offers good tech features and optional all-wheel drive.
- Hyundai Sonata – Stylish design with strong warranty coverage.
- Kia K5 – Modern styling with a smooth ride and tech-forward cabin.
Compared to rivals, the Camry is generally more reliable and offers higher resale value. While it may not be the sportiest or most stylish, it excels in practicality and long-term ownership costs.
Buyer Suitability: Who Should Consider the Camry?
The Toyota Camry is ideal for:
- Daily commuters – Fuel-efficient engines and comfortable seating make city and highway drives manageable.
- Small families – Spacious rear seats and high safety ratings are practical for children.
- Older buyers – Easy-to-use controls and smooth ride enhance comfort.
- Long-term owners – Proven reliability and strong resale value make it cost-effective.
It may be less appealing to buyers seeking a sporty driving experience or a luxury feel. However, for buyers prioritizing reliability, safety, and comfort, the Camry is a smart choice.
Final Verdict: A Balanced Midsize Sedan
The Toyota Camry continues to be a dependable and practical midsize sedan for the American market. With its comfortable interior, efficient engines, advanced safety features, and strong resale value, it suits daily commuters and family buyers alike.
While it may not stand out for sporty handling or flashy design, its balanced approach to ride quality, fuel economy, and features ensures it remains a top choice in its segment.
For those seeking a car that delivers reliability, safety, and reasonable cost of ownership, the Camry is a solid and realistic option.
