By Kelsey Mays
Cars.com National February 17, 2009Vehicle Overview
Now in its fourth model year, the current Toyota Camry received a number of mechanical and styling tweaks as part of a mid-cycle update. Chief among them is a larger four-cylinder drivetrain, more standard safety features and updated styling with more differentiation for the Camry Hybrid.
Trim levels include the base model as well as the LE, sport-tuned SE and upscale XLE. The Camry Hybrid is covered separately in Cars.com's Research section.
Camry competitors include the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Chevrolet Malibu.
Exterior
Exterior changes are hardly radical, as the car's face looks essentially the same, albeit with shapelier crossbars on the grille and a more defined air dam across the bumper. In back, the white taillight strips have been moved a few inches down.
Base and LE models have steel wheels with plastic covers, while the XLE gets 16-inch alloy wheels. The Camry SE has 17-inch wheels, a mesh-like grille and additional lower body cladding.
Interior
The cabin carries over largely untouched. A new optional stereo has USB compatibility for enhanced integration with iPods and other MP3 players. Express up/down operation for all windows, a feature typically reserved for premium cars, is now standard. Uplevel features on well-optioned models include leather upholstery, heated power seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and a navigation system.
Under the Hood
A new 2.5-liter four-cylinder is standard; it makes 169 horsepower in the base, LE and XLE; in the SE it's tuned for 179 hp. Last year's 2.4-liter four-cylinder made 158 hp regardless of trim. The new engine uses a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, combinations that yield gas mileage improvements of 1 to 2 mpg. A 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 and six-speed automatic are optional; its mileage remains the same.
Safety
Standard safety features include four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, side curtain airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seats, dual front airbags and a driver's knee airbag. Traction control and an electronic stability system — previously optional — are also standard.
Additional Reviews
Cars.com Expert Reviews
| Joe Bruzek | Cars.com National | August 28, 2009 |
| Kelsey Mays | Cars.com National | February 17, 2009 |
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