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Introduction to the Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a globally recognized car produced by Toyota, a leading Japanese automaker, since 1982. Originally launched as a compact car (narrow-body), it evolved over the years into a mid-size vehicle (wide-body) starting in the 1990s. Both narrow and wide versions were sold during that decade. Following the success of the wide-body models, Toyota promoted the Camry as its second major “world car” after the Toyota Corolla. By 2022, the Camry has taken its place above the Corolla and below models like the Avalon or Crown in many markets.
Camry’s Journey in the Japanese MarketInitially, the Toyota Camry was sold exclusively through the Toyota Corolla Store in Japan. The narrow-body Camry also led to the development of the Toyota Vista, a rebadged counterpart launched in 1982 and available through the Toyota Vista Store. Diesel-powered versions were once available through the Toyota Diesel Store. Additionally, the Vista Ardeo was introduced as a wagon variant of the Vista V50.
Key Specifications of the Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is designed to offer efficiency and practicality. Below are some key specifications:
- Combined MPG: Delivers up to 51 mpg, making it highly fuel-efficient.
- Drive Type: Comes with front-wheel drive for dependable handling.
- Total Seating: Accommodates up to five passengers comfortably.
- Cargo Capacity: Offers 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, sufficient for luggage or daily needs.
- Curb Weight: Weighs approximately 3,450 lbs, contributing to its balanced performance.
- Basic Warranty: Includes a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, providing peace of mind for new owners.
Evolution and Significance
Since its release, the Camry has grown beyond its original compact dimensions, making it a mainstay in the mid-size car segment. Its reputation as a reliable and well-balanced vehicle has strengthened Toyota’s global presence, positioning the Camry as a key choice for a broad range of customers.
Advantages of the Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is known for several key benefits that make it a popular choice among drivers:
- High fuel efficiency: The Camry is recognized for its excellent fuel economy, making it a cost-effective choice for daily commutes and long drives.
- Spacious and quiet interior: Inside, the Camry offers a comfortable and peaceful space, ideal for both drivers and passengers.
- User-friendly operation: The vehicle is easy to handle, with intuitive controls that enhance the overall driving experience.
- Smooth ride quality: The Camry maintains a composed and stable ride, even on uneven roads or bumps.
Disadvantages of the Toyota Camry
Despite its strengths, there are some areas where the Toyota Camry could be improved:
- Engine noise under hard acceleration: The engine may sound rough when pushed for maximum power.
- Front seat comfort: The comfort of the front seats may not meet the expectations of all drivers and passengers, especially on longer trips.
What’s New in the 2025 Toyota Camry
The 2025 model brings significant updates and changes to the Toyota Camry:
- Hybrid-only lineup: The redesigned Camry will exclusively feature hybrid powertrains, emphasizing eco-friendliness and fuel efficiency.
- Fresh exterior and interior design: The 2025 Camry boasts a modern look with new exterior styling and an updated, more refined interior.
- Advanced technology features: The latest model includes standard wireless smartphone integration and enhanced driver assistance systems.
- Start of the ninth generation: The 2025 Camry marks the beginning of the car’s ninth generation, reflecting a significant step forward in its evolution.
Toyota Camry and Its Key Competitors
Over the years, the Toyota Camry has consistently faced strong competition in the midsize sedan market. The Honda Accord remains one of its primary rivals, featuring a redesigned model for the 2023 year with a more refined look and premium interior.
Other notable competitors include the Kia K5 and Hyundai Sonata, both offering attractive features and modern updates. The Hyundai Sonata, in particular, received significant updates for its 2024 model, enhancing its appeal in the market.
To make an informed choice on the right midsize sedan, consider checking out expert ratings and comparisons between the Toyota Camry and its competitors. This helps highlight the strengths and unique qualities each vehicle offers, assisting buyers in selecting the best option for their needs.
Edmunds Expert Rating for the Toyota Camry
The Edmunds Expert Rating for the Toyota Camry is determined by evaluating the car both on the test track and in real-world driving conditions. This thorough approach ensures an accurate assessment of its performance, comfort, and overall driving experience.
The Camry is tested for aspects like handling, interior comfort, fuel efficiency, and technology features, providing potential buyers with a well-rounded understanding of what the car offers. This detailed rating helps consumers decide if the Toyota Camry meets their expectations and driving needs.
Driving Performance of the Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, specifically the XSE model with front-wheel drive, offers a smooth and capable driving experience. Everyday acceleration is seamless, providing enough power for confident merging and overtaking. In tests conducted by Edmunds, the Camry XSE accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, making it quicker than the hybrid versions of its main competitors, the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata.
The braking system in the Camry is both powerful and consistent, contributing to a secure driving feel. The steering is notably responsive, and the car’s handling remains stable, especially around corners. The tested XSE model features a sport-tuned suspension, enhancing its agility, but drivers can generally expect the Camry to deliver confidence-inspiring handling in most versions.
Comfort Features of the Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry provides a generally comfortable experience for drivers and passengers. While the front seats may feel slightly firm at first, they offer solid support for your back, especially during long drives, ensuring a pleasant journey once you settle in. The climate control system is efficient, featuring strong fan speeds and an effective automatic mode for optimal comfort.
Ride quality in the Camry is well-balanced, offering a smooth experience without feeling disconnected from the road. The suspension effectively absorbs bumps and dips, contributing to a stable ride. The cabin remains quiet even at highway speeds, providing a peaceful atmosphere. However, one notable drawback is the engine noise; it can sound rough and unpleasant when accelerating hard.
Interior Design of the Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry‘s interior has been notably refined in its latest generation, showcasing improvements in design and functionality. Beneath the prominent touchscreen display, there is a practical row of physical switches and knobs for easy climate control adjustments. While the steering wheel controls may seem complicated at first, they become intuitive with regular use.
The Camry’s driving position is more upright compared to other midsize sedans, creating a higher, SUV-like feeling that provides an excellent view over the hood and behind. This setup benefits drivers who prefer enhanced visibility. The passenger space is ample in both the front and rear, ensuring comfort for everyone. Additionally, the flat roofline contributes to generous headroom, making the cabin feel open and accommodating.
Technology Features of the Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is equipped with modern tech features that enhance the driving experience. Most Camry trims include a large 12.3-inch touchscreen with seamless wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, ensuring easy smartphone connectivity. The wireless charging pad is reliable, providing efficient charging without overheating. The available nine-speaker JBL audio system offers improved sound quality compared to previous Toyota models, though it still falls short of competing systems like those from Bose.
A standout aspect of the Camry is its advanced driver assistance technology. The car includes Toyota’s latest safety systems, which perform exceptionally well. These systems can detect vehicles merging in and out of lanes and adjust speed automatically for smoother driving. Additionally, the optional Traffic Jam Assist feature allows hands-free driving at speeds up to 25 mph under appropriate conditions, adding convenience in congested traffic.
Storage and Practicality in the Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry offers practical storage solutions, although its trunk space—15.1 cubic feet—is slightly smaller than that of competitors like the Hyundai Sonata and Honda Accord. Despite this, the space is sufficient for accommodating a few large suitcases or a substantial grocery haul.
The Camry excels in small-item storage, providing convenient compartments for everyday items. There are multiple spots for storing your phone, large door pockets capable of holding water bottles, and a bin adjacent to the wireless charging pad that is perfect for keys and other essentials.
For families, the Camry is equipped with LATCH anchors for easy installation of child car seats. These anchors are positioned under clearly marked flaps and are easily accessible, making installation straightforward. The rear seat bench is spacious enough to fit multiple car seats comfortably, though care should be taken to avoid bumping your head when getting in.
Fuel Efficiency of the Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is known for its impressive fuel economy, making it one of the most efficient non-plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles available. According to Toyota, the Camry can achieve between 44 to 51 mpg in combined city and highway driving, depending on the trim and configuration.
During standardized testing, the front-wheel-drive Camry XSE achieved 45.9 mpg, which was slightly below the manufacturer’s estimate of 47 mpg but still superior to the results from a hybrid Honda Accord. This efficiency highlights the Camry as an excellent option for those seeking a fuel-saving midsize sedan.
Is the Toyota Camry a Good Value?
The Toyota Camry stands out as a solid value, particularly because Toyota offers hybrid options across various trim levels. This approach provides more flexibility and choices for buyers compared to brands like Honda, which limits hybrid versions of the Accord to higher-priced trims.
Overall, the Camry offers a good balance between cost and features, making it a smart choice for those seeking both efficiency and variety. Toyota’s warranty is standard in the industry but includes added benefits such as two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary maintenance and two years of roadside assistance, adding to the car’s value proposition.
Driving Experience and Design of the Toyota Camry
While fun might not be the first word associated with driving a Toyota Camry, the car proves to be more than capable on winding roads and now offers sufficient power for confident highway passing.
From a design standpoint, the latest Camry brings a bold and more dynamic look. This update adds a touch of character to a car traditionally known for reliability rather than flair. With these changes, Toyota is giving the Camry a more noticeable and appealing presence.
Recommended Toyota Camry Model
For most buyers, Edmunds suggests the midgrade XLE trim as the ideal choice. This model features a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and desirable amenities, such as leather upholstery and heated front seats, adding both luxury and comfort.
While the sporty SE trim may attract those who prefer a bolder look and a sport-tuned suspension, the XLE offers a more comfortable ride with valuable upgrades that suit the needs of most consumers. This balance of features makes the XLE a well-rounded option in the Camry lineup.
