Toyota Camry

Is the Toyota Camry a Good Car?

The Camry is one of America’s top-selling sedans. It is a good, reliable car in the midsize car segment, which is packed with plenty of good vehicles. Less than half a point separates the first-place Hyundai Sonata from the 11th-place Nissan Altima in our rankings. Your decision to select a Camry over a Honda Accord or another competitor will come down to price and the options that are important to you.

Both the base Sonata and Accord offer lower prices and some better features than the Camry. For example, the Accord includes dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-inch display, and a rearview camera. The base Sonata adds an infotainment system with an easy-to-use touch screen and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Toyota has no plans to add the latter. The 2017 Camry’s excellent predicted reliability rating should give you some peace of mind about future maintenance and repair costs.

In its higher trims, the Camry is a comfortable cruiser that delivers what one expects of an upper-level midsize car: safety, reliability, a pleasant interior, and good power, all at a competitive price (the prices of the Accord and Sonata are only a few hundred dollars different). The standard four-cylinder engine produces decent power and is on par with those in the Accord and Sonata. Opt for the optional V6, and you’ll enjoy plenty of power for your needs.

The Camry has not changed significantly since 2012.

Should I Buy the Toyota Camry?

The 2017 Camry is a well-rounded midsize car in its upper trims. If you’re considering a base model, however, you can do better. The Camry’s starting price of $23,070 is some $1,100 more than the Sonata, $700 more than the Accord, and $1,400 more than the Chevrolet Malibu. Moreover, the Camry doesn’t have the infotainment features you’ll find in the base trims of the Sonata, Accord, and Malibu. 

The fuel economy from the Camry’s base four-cylinder engine sits in the middle of the midsize segment at 24 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. You will see better returns from the turbocharged four-cylinder Hyundai Sonata, which earns an EPA rating of 28 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway, and the 2.5-liter Honda Accord, rated at 27/36 mpg city/highway. 

Where the Camry starts to make sense is in the upper trim levels. That’s where features like Entune Audio Plus with 10 speakers, HD Radio, and satellite radio begin to add more value to the Camry and put it on equal value-proposition footing with the competition. 

Performance from the Camry’s four-cylinder engine won’t disappoint. Its horsepower is about equal to any other four-cylinder engine in the midsize sedan segment. The Camry’s ride veers toward comfortable versus sporty – but if you’re shopping for a Camry, you’re probably not taking your car out for hard driving on a regular basis. 

If you crave power, you can choose the available 268-horsepower V6 engine, which gets 21/30 mpg city/highway. Among the Camry’s top competitors, only the Accord has an optional 278-horsepower V6, rated at 21/32 mpg city/highway. 

Should you buy a 2017 Camry? Probably not in the base trim, as its MSRP is higher and offers less content than you might want. The Camry becomes competitive in terms of price in its higher trim levels, where it offers content similar to its competitors.

Compare the Camry, Sonata, and Accord »

We Did the Research for You: 49 Pieces of Data Analyzed

To better understand the 2017 Toyota Camry in its entirety, we analyzed 49 pieces of data. We looked at crash test results, fuel economy data, and reliability ratings from government agencies and independent groups. Our team also analyzed professional automotive journalists’ reviews. In short, we’ve done the research for you to help you make a smart buying decision.

Why You Can Trust Us

We’ve been analyzing and ranking vehicles for almost a decade. Our team has a combined 75 years of experience writing about and working in the automotive industry. We focus on helping you make your decisions as you buy a new car. Our team does not take trips paid for by manufacturers or accept expensive gifts from them. The advertising on our site, while paid for by manufacturers, is handled by an outside team not affiliated with our editorial department. 

How Much Does a Toyota Camry Cost?

The 2017 Toyota Camry’s base trim costs $23,070, which is more than you’ll pay for the Hyundai Sonata ($21,600) or Honda Accord ($22,355). Both of these competitors are better equipped at the introductory level with features like larger infotainment screens and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – neither of which Toyota offers in any model. As you move up the trim lines, the Camry’s costs and benefits are more in line with competitors. For $23,840, you can buy a Camry SE, which handles better than the base model. The XSE and XLE trims share an MSRP of $26,310.

Adding a V6 engine to the XLE or XSE trims will cost you an additional $5,000, but that’s in line with the Honda Accord EX-L’s V-6 trim, which has a starting price of $30,895. A Ford Fusion with a 325-horsepower V6 starts at $33,595, but it adds all-wheel drive, something the Camry lacks in all trims.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Toyota dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Toyota deals page.

Toyota Camry Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: Toyota Camry or Hyundai Sonata?

In recent years, the Camry and Sonata have topped our midsize sedan segment. If you plan to haul passengers on a regular basis, note the Camry has more rear legroom, but the Sonata offers more overall passenger space. The Sonata will save you about $100 a year at the gas pump, but more importantly, the base model has a sticker price about $1,500 lower than a comparable Camry. The Sonata is the better vehicle for its lower price, better fuel economy, and overall space (including a slightly larger trunk).

Which Is Better: Toyota Camry or Honda Accord?

The Accord and Camry have a lot in common – both vehicles come with base-trim four-cylinder engines with comparable power, good safety scores, and above-average reliability – but for those who like a sportier driving experience, the Honda Accord is the better choice. You can get it with a six-speed manual transmission and either the base four-cylinder engine or the available V6 engine, which has slightly more horsepower and responsive handling that bests the Camry. The Accord’s starting MSRP is about $700 less than the Camry’s.

See our head-to-head comparison of the Honda Accord versus the Toyota Camry.

Which Is Better: Toyota Camry or Chevrolet Malibu?

In spite of the Malibu being about $1,400 cheaper, the Camry is the better choice because it offers more standard features in its base trim, including a heated power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated mirrors, a long list of infotainment features, dual climate control, and leather seats. The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu has little in common with its blander predecessors. Its fuel economy is better than the Camry’s, and it has a straightforward infotainment system and spacious rear seats.

Compare the Camry, Sonata, and Accord »

Camry Interior

How Many People Does the Camry Seat?

The 2017 Camry seats five in spacious comfort. The rear seats provide plenty of head- and legroom, even for taller passengers. Rear-seat comfort might be an issue for taller riders in the Hyundai Sonata.

Camry and Car Seats

The 2017 Toyota Camry has two sets of LATCH equipment in the outboard rear seats. The middle seat has just a tether, which means you can only place two car seats in the rear if you use the lower anchors. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awards the Camry an Acceptable rating, the second-highest score possible, for its LATCH system. One flaw is that the lower anchors are too deep in the seats for easy access. The fixed rear headrests may also make it difficult to properly secure a front-facing child seat. In the midsize segment, only the Volkswagen Passat’s LATCH system earns the IIHS' top rating of Good.

Camry Interior Quality

The Camry’s quality shows in its interior. The cabin is attractive and filled with quality materials. The infotainment controls are intuitive and easy to use while driving. There is plenty of room in the front and the back, and taller passengers won’t feel cramped in the rear.

Camry Cargo Space

There is 15.4 cubic feet of space in the Camry’s trunk, which is room for almost 12 bags of groceries. Rear seats that fold down bolster storage capabilities to swallow even more cargo. The Camry’s trunk is sensibly shaped, with a wide opening and not much of a lift-over to place parcels inside.

The Camry’s trunk is slightly smaller than the Accord’s 15.8-cubic-foot space. The Hyundai Sonata provides a larger 16.3 cubic feet – about a grocery bag’s difference in size.

Like the Camry, the Accord also offers a folding rear seat, but some reviewers feel its overall storage capability is hampered by the trunk’s design. One nice feature in the Sonata is its hands-free trunk opener. Stand behind the car with the key fob in your pocket for a few seconds, and the trunk pops open.

Camry Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

If the absence of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is a deal breaker for you, move on. You will find Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in sedans like the Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord, and Chevrolet Malibu, among many others.

For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? and What Is Android Auto? Then, see the Best Cars With Apple CarPlay and Best Cars With Android Auto.

Infotainment, Bluetooth, and navigation features in the base 2017 Toyota Camry LE include a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and Toyota’s Entune audio system with voice recognition, a 6.1-inch touch screen, six speakers, USB and auxiliary inputs, and Siri Eyes Free, which lets iPhone owners use voice commands to control some functions through the infotainment system.

Step up to the Camry XLE or XSE and you’ll get Entune Audio Plus with a connected navigation app. The infotainment system upgrades to a 7-inch touch screen, eight speakers, satellite radio, and HD Radio. The Hyundai Sonata comes standard with a 7-inch touch screen. The Honda Accord comes with an 8-inch touch screen but only four speakers.

Read more about interior »

Camry Performance

Camry Engine: Practicality Versus Passion

The midsize car segment offers similar practicality among all of its four-cylinder engines and equally passionate power across its V6s. Is your car mostly about getting from Point A to Point B? If so, the four-cylinder Camry is the right choice. Need to get your blood pumping? Go with the V6 – but note, it comes at a price.

The 178-horsepower four-cylinder engine in the Camry delivers satisfactory performance. There’s enough pep under the hood to get you moving on the highway, but the acceleration’s never going to thrill you. For about $5,000 more, you can get that pep from the 268-horsepower V6.

The Honda Accord’s 185-horsepower four-cylinder is only marginally stronger than the Camry’s four-cylinder. The Accord costs about $100 more when equipped with its continuously variable transmission (which functions like an automatic) versus the six-speed automatic in the base Camry. The four-cylinder Sonata will give you the same 185 horsepower as the Accord, but for almost $1,500 less. In comparison, the Malibu’s base four-cylinder costs about $1,400 less than the Camry, but it has considerably less power (160 horsepower).

Camry Gas Mileage: Good But Not Great

The 2017 Toyota Camry has an EPA rating of 24 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway for its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and 21/30 mpg city/highway for the 3.5-liter V6. These numbers plant the Camry around the middle of the midsize car segment. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder Camry is bested by the 2.5-liter four-cylinder Chevrolet Malibu, which shows an EPA rating of 27/36 mpg city/highway. However, the Malibu’s four-cylinder is weaker than the Camry’s. The Camry’s V6 holds up well against the comparable Honda Accord, which shows a rating of 22/32 mpg city/highway. The Camry also comes as a hybrid and gets 42 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. 

So, what’s the impact going to be on your wallet? The EPA says your annual fuel costs for the Camry with the four-cylinder engine should be around $1,200, and the V6 Camry will cost you about $1,500. The four-cylinder Malibu’s annual costs are about $1,100, while the V6 Accord will run you about $1,300. Therefore, fueling the Camry will cost you an extra $3 or $4 each week than some rivals. However, the base Camry Hybrid's annual fuel costs are about $800. 

Camry Ride and Handling: Pleasant Front-Wheel-Drive Ride, Not Sporty

The primary goal of the front-wheel-drive Camry is comfort. All-wheel drive would improve handling, but Toyota doesn’t offer it in any of its sedans, regardless of size. You won’t do any better, or any worse, by selecting the Sonata, Accord, or Malibu.

Read more about performance »

Camry Safety

Camry Crash Test Results

The 2017 Toyota Camry has a respectable but below-average safety rating for the segment. This is due in large part to its less-than-perfect four-out-of-five-star performance in front and rollover crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

However, the rest of the Camry's crash test ratings are excellent. It earns a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and the best-available Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. If you're looking for a midsize car that aces every crash test, check out the Subaru Legacy or Kia Optima.

Camry Safety Features

Adding advanced safety features can quickly drive up the cost of your Camry. Beyond the standard rearview camera, advanced safety options like automatic pre-collision braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and lane departure warning only come in the top-of-the-line XSE or XLE trims. However, you still need to spend an additional $2,800 for an options package that encompasses those safety features. In the Honda Accord, advanced safety features including road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, collision mitigation, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control are available for only an extra $1,000 in all but the Touring trim where it is standard.

Read more about safety »

Camry Reliability

Is the Toyota Camry Reliable?

For predicted reliability, the Camry is among the best options in the midsize car segment, as it has a perfect five-out-of-five score from J.D. Power and Associates. The Malibu comes in close behind with a 4.5 out of five. With the Camry’s strong record, your mechanical problems should be few.

Toyota Camry Warranty

The 2017 Toyota Camry comes with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, which is in line with that of the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, and other competitors. The Hyundai Sonata offers much better protection with a five-year/60,000-mile new-vehicle limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Read more about reliability »

Which Toyota Camry Model Is Right for Me?

Determining which Toyota Camry is right for you comes down to your need for speed and creature comforts. All will give you the same comfortable ride this midsize sedan is known for, but the Camry XLE will hit the sweet spot for most buyers. It offers leather seats, dual-zone climate control, and Toyota’s best infotainment system, among other attributes.

The 2017 Toyota Camry comes in four trims: LE ($23,070), SE ($23,840), XLE ($26,310), and XSE ($26,310). The Toyota Camry Hybrid is reviewed separately. The LE and XLE models are comfort-focused, while the SE and SXE models are sportier. For 2017, Toyota also offers the upgraded Entune infotainment system with the 8.1-inch touch screen and navigation as standard in the XSE and XLE trims.

Your performance desires need to be balanced against your pocketbook, though. All Camrys come equipped with a four-cylinder engine, which will satisfy your needs probably 99 percent of the time. If not, a V6 is optional in the XLE and XSE trims. It adds $5,000 to the bottom line, but a comparable Honda Accord with a V6 is only a few hundred dollars cheaper.

Toyota Camry LE

The base Camry LE starts at about $23,000. The 2017 Honda Accord has a lower base price ($22,355) but comes without key features like an automatic transmission and an eight-way power driver’s seat. The Accord with a continuously variable transmission costs about $100 more. The Malibu starts at $21,680, and the Sonata at $21,600. The Sonata and Malibu both offer more standard features in the base trim but lack a standard power driver’s seat.

The Camry LE also comes standard with a rearview camera, Toyota’s Entune audio system with voice recognition, a 6.1-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, six speakers, a USB port, and Siri Eyes Free iPhone integration. The Malibu and Sonata add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and larger 7-inch touch screens.

Toyota Camry SE

The Camry SE costs about $800 more than the LE. Among its enhancements are a sport suspension, a leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, and audio and Bluetooth hands-free phone voice-command controls. You’ll also get upgraded 17-inch alloy wheels with graphite finish.

Toyota Camry XSE

The XSE (around $26,300) is a nicer version of the SE. It comes with most of the features of the SE, plus larger wheels, wireless smartphone charging, dual-zone automatic climate control, and leather seats with faux-suede inserts.

You have a choice between the four-cylinder engine and a V6. The larger engine trim (around $31,370) adds LED headlights, a moonroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and an acoustic windshield, so you’re not just paying for more power. 

Toyota Camry XLE

The XLE costs the same as the XSE and comes with all-leather seats and wood grain interior trim. It, too, is available with the optional V6 that adds almost $5,000 to the MSRP. Differences between it and the XSE include a dual chrome-tipped exhaust.

Where Is the Toyota Camry Made?

The 2017 Toyota Camry is produced in Georgetown, Kentucky. The Camry topped the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s list of cars with American-made content. According to the NHTSA, 75 percent of the Camry is produced in the U.S.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Toyota dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Toyota deals page.

See 2017 Toyota Camry specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2017 Toyota Camry is a good midsize sedan. Move beyond its base trim, and it offers pricing competitive with the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, and Chevrolet Malibu – all leaders in the segment. 

You’re going to pay more for the Camry’s base trim, but you won’t get Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (found in the Sonata) or the dual-zone automatic climate control, 8-inch display, and rearview camera found in the Accord.

Move beyond the base trim, and the price differences largely disappear. You’ll get the same base-trim features in upper-level Camrys, plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel, the premium Entune audio system, and heated leather seats as standard. Those features are available either as options or not at all in the Accord and Sonata.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "The 2017 Camry has a choice of three powertrains. Most buyers will be more than satisfied with the standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that offers a good blend of performance and fuel economy." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "Whether you're looking for a cushy A-to-B driving experience or a more engaging one that's in-line with main midsize sedan competitors, the 2017 Toyota Camry should have you covered." -- Edmunds