Toyota Camry Review

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

The 2011 Toyota Camry ranks 13 out of 19 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 79 published reviews and test drives of the Toyota Camry, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The best-selling car in America for eight straight years, the Toyota Camry saw its reputation damaged by Toyota’s highly-publicized recalls for unintended acceleration (see our Toyota Recall page for details). Buyers still interested in a Camry will find a softly-tuned, comfortable commuter car, but we’ve seen reports of quality problems with the 2011 Toyota Camry.
Americans have known exactly what to expect from the Toyota Camry for years. It’s been a reliable, comfortable commuter for millions, which helped it conquer the market as the best-selling car in the U.S. for nearly a decade. In 2010, it won the U.S. News Best Midsize Car for the Money Award for the second year in a row. But a series of highly-publicized recalls for unintended acceleration and reviews citing build-quality problems, have raised questions about the Camry’s reliability. The 2011 Toyota Camry is one of Toyota’s first post-recall cars -- and the automotive press is watching carefully to see whether it is part of a renaissance for the brand, or another contributor to its fall from grace.
The 2011 Toyota Camry has a long list of virtues, but they’re virtues that don’t necessarily impress auto reviewers. The Camry offers a spacious, comfortable interior and is tuned for a smooth ride -- but that means it’s sluggish in the corners, and its base four-cylinder engine is not particularly quick. Motor Trend calls it, “The Wal-Mart of family cars,” which is both a compliment and an insult -- it’s popular and predictable, but not particularly exciting. In previous years, reviewers have praised its bulletproof reputation for reliability. But in the wake of Toyota’s string of recalls, many don’t know what to think of its quality.
For Toyota loyalists, the 2011 Toyota Camry may represent a great buying opportunity, especially since Toyota has been discounting the Camry with heavy incentives in recent months. Be sure to check for current Toyota Deals for details. Others, however, may find that the Camry is not the automatic answer it used to be for buyers looking for a reliable car they didn’t have to think much about.

Other Cars to Consider:

The Affordable Midsize Car class is much more competitive than it was just a few years ago. Midsize car shoppers today will find many excellent family cars that might meet their needs. Those looking for a more exciting ride might want to consider the sharp-cornering Mazda6, or the agile Ford Fusion which also boasts Ford’s excellent SYNC infotainment system. Buyers attracted to the Camry’s smooth ride might want to test drive the 2011 Hyundai Sonata as well. It offers a relaxed ride similar to the Camry’s, but has one of the highest fuel-efficiency ratings in its class, and more interior space than the 2011 Camry.

Toyota Camry: The Details

The Camry was last redesigned for the 2008 model year. Some material used in this review may refer to earlier model years that are substantially similar. The Camry is available in a stripped-down base model, a better-equipped LE edition, a sport-tuned SE model and a top-of-the-line XLE trim level. The 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid, a close variant of the gas-only Camry, is reviewed separately.
Shoppers might want to note that 2007 through 2010 Camry sedans were included in a pair of massive and highly-publicized recalls due to allegations that a Camry, under certain conditions, could accelerate even when its driver wasn’t touching the gas pedal. A Toyota spokesperson tells us that the 2011 Camry’s accelerator pedal is a new design that's not affected by the recalls. The 2011 Toyota Camry is also one of the first Toyotas to feature a new brake override system, which ensures that the engine can’t cause the car to accelerate while the brake pedal is being pressed. There have been no allegations of unintended acceleration regarding the 2011 Toyota Camry, but it has only been on the market for a very short time.

• "Toyota's best-selling Camry became the people's car by excelling in quality and refinement, but has taken a PR hit after recalls in early 2010. Whether it's a base model or deluxe XLE, the four cylinder or V-6, the Camry delivers spacious comfort. Still, the Honda Accord and Mazda 6 drive better."
  
• "Camry is no excitement machine--not even the sporty SE version--and most test examples have suffered uncharacteristic lapses in materials and workmanship. Still, Camry is a worthwhile pick for its powertrain refinement and passenger comfort." -
• "The Toyota Camry is one of the best affordable midsized cars on the market today." --
• "With so many appealing options to choose from, we strongly advise shopping around and test-driving as many models as possible. We're fans of the Camry, though."
  
• "This is a perfectly functional, perfectly capable, perfectly reasonable, perfectly boring automobile. ... Again, all pleasant enough and functional enough, but it's duller than an empty office cubicle.

Camry Performance - 7.6 (Good)

The 2011 Toyota Camry is built to serve as a comfortable daily driver. Those looking for a family car or commuter with a gentle ride will be satisfied with what the 2011 Camry has to offer. But auto writers are generally unimpressed, calling it one of the least exciting rides in its class.

Camry Exterior - 7.9 (Good)

Auto critics aren’t impressed with the look of the 2011 Toyota Camry. Terms like “dull” and “conservative” appear again and again in reviews. In fairness to Toyota designers, the Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car in America for eight straight years. It's hard for it to look distinctive when it’s such a common sight

Camry Interior - 8.4 (Very Good)

The Toyota Camry has always been known for its exceptionally comfortable cabin, and that remains true with the 2011 Camry. Reviewers say it is spacious and thoughtfully designed. With the 2011 model, however, we’ve seen a number of reports of problems pertaining to build quality.

Camry Safety - 7.4 (Good)

The 2011 Camry has not been crash-tested yet. However, the mechanically-similar 2010 model did very well in both government and insurance industry crash tests. The 2011 Camry is one of the first vehicles Toyota has produced since its series of high-profile recalls involving unintended acceleration. Toyota sources tell us it features a redesigned throttle system.

Camry Reliability - NA

The 2011 Toyota Camry is covered by a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.