2021 Toyota Camry Review

　　

2021 Toyota Camry Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The Toyota Camry is a midsize family sedan that slots between Toyota's smaller Corolla and the larger, more luxurious Avalon. This latest Camry generation came out for the 2018 model year. In many ways, it's the safe choice in this class, and many shoppers are drawn to Toyota's reputation for reliability.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Toyota Camry LE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$115/mo  for Camry LE

　　Camry LE

　　LE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $25,045 MSRPLE 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $26,445 MSRPSE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $26,560 MSRPSE 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $27,960 MSRPSE Nightshade Edition 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $27,260 MSRPSE Nightshade Edition 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $28,660 MSRPXLE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $29,945 MSRPXLE 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $31,345 MSRPXLE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $35,070 MSRPXSE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $30,495 MSRPXSE 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $31,895 MSRPXSE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $35,620 MSRPTRD 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $32,260 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　For 2021, the Camry gets some minor styling updates inside and out. Toyota has restyled the front bumper and grille, and there's a newly optional 9-inch touchscreen display that's positioned higher on the dash than the standard 7-inch screen. We're pleased with the changes, though they're ultimately not quite enough to elevate the Camry past higher-ranked sedans such as the Kia K5, Honda Accord and Mazda 6. Check our Expert Rating for our in-depth take on the 2021 Camry.

　　

What's it like to live with?

We bought a 2018 Camry in the sporty SE trim and tested it for more than a year. To learn what it was like to live with, read our long-term test, where we covered everything from seat comfort to fuel economy. Note that the 2021 Camry differs slightly from that 2018 model, which did not have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration, but our coverage is otherwise applicable.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Camry drive? We tested the four-cylinder Camry SE. Toyota has optimized it to get high fuel economy, but the trade-off is rather sluggish acceleration off the line. Our test car accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in an unimpressive 8.2 seconds, though it feels a little zestier than that in the real world. The transmission helps make up for this a bit with reasonably good response and quick shifting. With eight speeds, there's always a gear for the occasion, but expect two-gear downshifts when you dip into gas as it tries to make do with available engine power.

　　The Camry SE benefits from a slightly sportier suspension, which lends a more hunkered-down feel. It's not set up for truly aggressive driving, but it'll handle anything the average driver is bound to throw at it on a daily basis. The brakes are also easy to control with a light and responsive pedal, and the Camry's stopping performance is about average for the segment.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Camry? Big, comfortable seats and a smooth ride mean the Camry will suit a wide range of drivers even on long trips. Add in a powerful, easy-to-use climate control system that can cool the cabin effectively, even in triple-digit temperatures, and the Camry provides a pleasant cabin environment for any occupant along for the ride.

　　Its biggest flaw here is that the Camry lets in too much outside noise. You'll hear a prominent engine buzz when accelerating and noticeable wind and road noise at freeway speeds. The Camry is definitely noisier than average for a midsize sedan.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Camry's cabin won't wow you with its opulence but instead nails the fundamentals across the board. Highlights include an airy cabin that is easy to get in and out of. It's also spacious for both front and rear occupants and has great outward visibility. An optional 360-degree camera system makes it even easier to navigate cramped parking lots.

　　The user interface presents no mysteries, with large, clear gauges and simple, well-labeled buttons. They are relatively intuitive even for tech-averse drivers. The radio volume and tuning knobs are small but easy for the driver to reach, though the passenger might have to stretch a bit to use them.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The Camry's smartphone integration includes standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa. Both the standard 7-inch and optional 9-inch infotainment touchscreens are easy to read and operate. Built-in navigation is offered on higher trims if you want it. Three USB ports and the option to add a wireless charger should provide plenty of charge for all occupants on the road.

　　All 2021 Camrys come with Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5+. It's an impressive suite of standard driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist. Previously, some of these systems have been too sensitive for our liking, but they've been refined for 2021 and work much better.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? As midsize sedans go, the Camry's stuff-hauling credentials are pretty solid. The 15.1-cubic-foot trunk area is large for the class. It also has a wide opening with a low liftover height. The 60/40-split back seat is easy to fold down via trunk-mounted release handles if you need to fit longer items.

　　There is a good amount of concealed cabin storage too. There's a sliding compartment underneath the wireless charger, a moderately sized center armrest bin, and a small storage cubby on the far left-hand side of the dash. Camry buyers with kids will appreciate the ample rear-seat room for car seat access and the easily accessible anchors.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The four-cylinder Camry SE's EPA fuel economy rating is among the best in its class at 32 mpg combined (28 city/39 highway). We measured 33.7 mpg on our standardized 115-mile evaluation drive route that provides a mix of city and highway driving. zzdcar also tested a Camry SE of this generation for more than 33,000 miles and observed an average of 29.8 mpg.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the Camry a good value? The Camry is an easy-to-use, dependable and fuel-efficient vehicle at the expense of some excitement. It isn't as feature-driven as the Hyundai Sonata or as luxurious as the Mazda 6, but its design and variety of textures manage to be attractive without sacrificing functionality.

　　Toyota's warranties and after-care support are pretty typical, with a three-year/36,000-mile basic and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage. That's nowhere near what Hyundai and Kia offer, but most other brands are in the same boat.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　The Camry doesn't disappoint, especially in SE trim. It won't replace a real sport sedan, but its pleasing driving dynamics are certainly welcome in this class of car. And with relatively aggressive styling, the Camry at least tries to shrug off the image that midsize sedans don't have to be boring.

　　

Which Camry does zzdcar recommend?

There's no shortage of Camrys to choose from. We suggest going with the XSE because of its wealth of standard features, attractive styling touches and its sport-tuned (yet still comfortable) suspension. Opting for the XSE gets you desirable equipment such as standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and leather upholstery. It also opens up nice-to-have options including a panoramic sunroof and heated seats.

　　

2021 Toyota Camry models

The 2021 Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan available in six trim levels: LE, SE, SE Nightshade, XSE, XLE and TRD. A four-cylinder and an available V6 engine are offered. You can also get all-wheel drive with the four-cylinder. Standard feature highlights include:

　　LE

　　Starts you off with:

　　203-horsepower four-cylinder engine Eight-speed automatic transmission 17-inch wheels Power-adjustable driver's seat 7-inch infotainment touchscreen 60/40-split folding rear seats Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibilityAll Camrys also come standard with a suite of driver aids that include:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping assist (steers the Camry back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Camry and the car in front) Automatic high-beam headlights Road sign recognitionSE

　　Adds sporty touches and extra features, such as:

　　Unique exterior trim 18-inch wheels Simulated leather upholstery Leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters Sport-tuned suspension Automatic climate controlSE Nightshade

　　Includes a stealthy look, adding:

　　Distinctive 18-inch wheels Black exterior trim Trunk-mounted spoilerXLE

　　Adds more upscale features to the LE, such as:

　　Full-speed adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front, down to a stop) Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) LED headlights Chrome exterior trim Keyless entry and ignition Leather upholstery Power-adjustable front passenger seat Upgraded driver information display 9-inch information touchscreen Wireless charging pad Dual-zone climate controlXSE

　　Similar to the XLE but adds a more sporty look and feel with:

　　206 hp for the four-cylinder engine Sport-tuned suspension 19-inch wheels Gloss black grille Dual exhaust Metallic interior trimTRD

　　The most athletic of Camrys, with:

　　301-hp V6 engine Black-painted outside mirrors and exterior trim Unique 19-inch wheels Aerodynamic body trim TRD-specific simulated leather upholstery and red seat belts Sport exhaust Special sport-tuned suspensionSome features on the XLE and XLE are available on the LE and SE as options. Toyota also offers the 301-hp V6 engine as an option for the XSE and XLE trims. Other notable optional features include:

　　Driver Assist package 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Camry and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Head-up display (standard with V6) Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Ventilated front seats Cold Weather package (heated front seats, heated mirrors, heated steering wheel) Integrated navigation system with nine-speaker JBL sound system Panoramic sunroof (standard with the V6) Performance tires (TRD only)

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2021 Camry Highlights

Trim: LESESE Nightshade EditionXLEXSETRDLE

　　

Base MSRP	$25,045
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	32 MPG
Cost to Drive	$115/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles