Review
The Camry is the backbone of the mid-size sedan segment, which in recent years has lost both records and sales as the world has been engulfed by SUVs. However, despite the fact that the market has changed, Camry still ranks first in the charts of sales as the number one car sales, in this place it has occupied the last twenty years. It has a well-deserved reputation for reliability and offers a hybrid version that provides exceptional fuel economy. The current generation Camry borders on style, especially complete with the Nightshade package, which adds bronze wheels for 2023, or a sporty TRD trim. And while many of Camry’s competitors such as Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonataby switching to a four-cylinder lineup, Toyota’s mid-size sedan can still be equipped with an additional 301hp V-6. Although it is far from an exciting car, its safety features, economical engines and spacious interior make it a competent and easy-to-live driver.
What’s new in 2023?
In 2023, an optional SE Nightshade trim package adds black headlights and taillights to match the black front grille, rear spoiler, mirrors and badges. Nightshade also got matte bronze 19-inch wheels that, oddly enough, don’t look out of place on it. You can add a package in Midnight Black, White or Reservoir Blue – a new color. The rest of the Camry lineup will get more driver assistance technology, including an automatic high beam and a forward-facing camera that can read certain road signs and show them on a digital display.
Prices and which to buy
We would have chosen the XLE hybrid because we believe it’s the finish that best reflects what the Camry is best at: it’s a relaxed family sedan with almost Lexus. With careful handling, it provides excellent fuel economy. It rides well, steers well, and its standard leather interior is beautiful, spacious and well equipped.
Engine, transmission and performance
The standard four-cylinder engine is combined with a silky eight-speed automatic, but the acceleration is disappointing. The less powerful version of this engine runs on battery and two electric motors to power the Camry hybrid, which is no more exciting to drive than the base transmission. The real gem of this line is the velvet 301-horsepower V-6, which is available on the XLE and XSE models, as well as in the TRD version. We are also happy to say that we no longer hate driving Camry. It has a controlled ride and surprisingly responsive handling. The steering is nicely weighed and feels essential when cornering and easy when maneuvering in the parking lot. We found that the Camry brake pedal responds and is not too soft, even in a hybrid in which it has to combine friction with regenerative braking (where braking energy is used to recharge the hybrid battery).
Fuel economy and real miles per gallon
The entire Camry model lineup performed extremely well in EPA tests, and the four-cylinder model excelled brilliantly in our actual highway testing. The most efficient non-hybrid Camry models are the LE and SE with a four-cylinder engine, which the EPA estimates were 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway; the base hybrid LE received ratings of 51 mpg city and 53 mpg highway. However, the hybrid’s top trim sacrifices some efficiency on the altar of luxury, and models running on the V-6 have been rated 22 mph in the city and up to 33 mpg on the highway. The four-cylinder Camry SE produced 45 miles per gallon in our highway testing, surpassed its own EPA rating by 6 miles per gallon – and making it the most economical non-hybrid car we’ve ever tested. It even won We tested the Camry XLE hybrid at 1 mile per gallon. For more information on Camry’s fuel economy, visit the page EPA website.
Interior, comfort and cargo
We rode the Camry both in the form of the XLE top-level and in the more plebeian SE finish. Both are spacious and comfortable, and the XLE is truly luxurious. However, there is a serious gap in the quality of materials between entry-level models and more expensive versions, and the center section of the dashboard has left some of us cool with its uninspired design. The Camry is a large sedan, and in its trunk and cabin with folded rear seats there is plenty of cargo space and storage space. It’s not the best in every storage category, but overall it’s quite competitive. Toyota has moved the Camry hybrid battery from the trunk to the rear seats, so hybrid owners didn’t have to sacrifice load capacity for the extra miles per gallon.
Infotainment program and communication
Toyota’s touchscreen infotainment system, called Entune 3.0, is standard on the entire Camry lineup, with an extended version available as an option. Entune has many features and responded quite well to user input in our tests, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard.
Safety and driver assistance functions
We continue to welcome Toyota’s decision driver assistance technology standard for all Camry models. For more information on Camry crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Road Safety Insurance Institute (IIHS) websites. Key security features include:
- Standard frontal collision warning and automatic emergency braking
- Standard lane departure warning and lane keeping assistance
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty coverage and maintenance
While rivals such as Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima with longer warranty periods in this class, Toyota keeps its own two years of free scheduled maintenance.
- The limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- The transmission warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Free maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE 2021
TYPE OF VEHICLE
front engine, front-wheel drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
BASIC PRICE
LE, $ 28,265; SE, $ 29,780; XLE, $ 33,165
BLUE transmission
DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle, native-4, 176 hp, 163 lb-ft; synchronous AC motor with DC magnet, 118 hp, 149 lb-ft; combined power, 208 hp; Nickel-metal hydride battery 1.6 kW / h
TRANSMISSION
continuous automaton
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 111.2 inches
Length: 192.1 inches
Width: 72.4 inches
Height: 56.9 inches
Passenger volume: 99 feet3
Trunk volume: 15 feet3
Net weight (C / D calculation): 3700 pounds
PERFORMANCE (C / D EST)
60 mph: 7.8 sec
100 mph: 19.2 sec
1/4 mile: 16.0 sec
Top speed: 116 mph
EPA FUEL SAVINGS
Combined / city / highway: 46/44/47 mph
Specifications
Toyota Camry TRD 2020
TYPE OF VEHICLE
front engine, front-wheel drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE AS TERAVANO
$ 33,050 (base price: $ 32,125)
TYPE OF ENGINE
DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection
Moving
211 inches33456 cm3
Power
301 hp at 6600 rpm
Torque
267 lb-ft at 4700 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 111.2 inches
Length: 194.6 inches
Width: 73.1 inches
Height: 56.3 inches
Equipped weight: 3588 lbs
C / D TEST RESULTS
Deployment, 1 foot: 0.3 sec
60 mph: 5.6 sec
100 mph: 13.9 sec
130 mph: 25.8 sec
Start, 5-60 mph: 5.8 sec
¼ miles: 14.2 s at 101 miles per hour
Top speed (limited by regulator): 134 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 156 feet
Braking, 100–0 mph: 312 ft
Road resistance, 300-foot diameter: 0.94 g
C / D FUEL SAVINGS
Observed: 21 miles per gallon
75 mph on the highway: 29 mph
EPA FUEL SAVINGS
Combined / city / highway: 25/22/31 mph
https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/a27435986/camry/
