Toyota Camry Dealer

Toyota Camry History

When the first Camry rolled off the assembly line way back in 1982, former actor Ronald Reagan was president, and Grease star Olivia Newton-John was getting Physical at the top of the Billboard 100 charts. That was 40 years ago, and every year since, Toyota has continued manufacturing one of the most reliable vehicles in automotive history.

Early Toyota Camry models were classified as compact sedans, but in the 1990s, the Camry grew into the midsize category. Most people don’t know that the name was chosen as a loose translation of the Japanese word kanmuri, which means “crown,” a fitting description for one of the automaker’s longstanding flagship nameplates.

Among the Camry’s many distinctions is its consistent popularity. In fact, the Camry has outsold every other sedan in America for nearly two decades, and over 10 million Camrys have been manufactured to date. Because the sedan category has shrunk in recent years, the competition that remains is fierce. Yet, the Camry endures, winning more buyers than any of its competition.

Currently in its eighth generation, the Camry has taken on many different iterations, from a convertible to a wagon and even a hatchback, but despite these body style experiments, the Camry has always been best known for its sedan form. Used buyers will find tons of seventh-generation (2012-2017) Camrys for sale, including models with hybrid powertrains.

The 2022 Toyota Camry

Could 2022 be the best year of all for America’s best-selling sedan? The 2022 Camry, offered in a staggering 13 trims, offers something for a full spectrum of buyers. If you’re shopping on a budget, the affordable base LE or SE trim could be the perfect solution, and if you’re willing to spend just a bit more, both trims can be had with a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain.

The Camry XLE trim sits in the mid-range of the 2022 lineup, offering upgraded features like leather seating surfaces and a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen. A wireless smartphone charger is standard, as are a push button start and heated front seats. Buyers can opt for an available premium JBL audio system with navigation, and all-wheel drive is also optional, as it is on all non-hybrid Camry trims.

Are you looking for a little performance with your practicality? Check out the Camry XSE, with its 19-inch wheels, sport-tuned suspension, and dual exhaust. It blends all the upscale interior features found on the XLE with an added twist of sportier ride handling. For the ultimate in on-the-road performance, set your sights on the Camry TRD, the Camry XLE V6, or the Camry XSE V6.

Opting for a Camry with the larger 3.5-liter V6 increases performance from 206 horsepower to a whopping 301 horsepower. The TRD (short for Toyota Racing Development) is offered with optional summer performance tires and an upgraded TRD Premium Audio System by JBL. The TRD also has a special braking system with 12.9-inch front rotors and bright red calipers, and it’s actually .60 inches lower than the typical Camry model for improved aerodynamics.

Used Camry Buyer’s Guide

With over 40 model years under its belt, to say the Toyota Camry comes in a variety of styles and trims is a pretty big understatement. Still, there are a few standout models and features that used buyers might want to look for, including a hybrid powertrain. In fact, the first-ever Camry Hybrid was released in 2007, offering a substantial increase in fuel efficiency, making it a popular choice among commuters.

Did you know that Toyota manufactured Camrys with stick shifts up until the 2012 model year? That’s great news for driving enthusiasts, but what might cause them to sit up even straighter is the introduction of a 268-horsepower V6 during the Camry’s sixth generation (2007-2011). Models equipped with the larger 3.5-liter V6 achieved a zero-to-sixty time of just 5.8 seconds, defying the nameplate’s reputation for practicality.

Savvy buyers might want to check out the 2015 model year. It was then that Toyota performed an extensive mid-generation revision, including substantial changes to the Camry’s exterior. Gone were the practical sedan lines, which were replaced by contouring and angular body panels that contributed to a more athletic yet elegant curb appeal. It was in 2015 that Toyota added the sporty XSE trim.

Automotive journalists piled on the accolades when Toyota refreshed the seventh-generation Camry in 2015, including the editors at Car and Driver, who called it “this century’s brightest car star” and credited its more rigid unibody construction with the new version’s “smooth, quiet” road characteristics. It’s clear that, despite the model year, the Camry lineup is designed for broad buyer appeal.

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