The current Camry is by far the most compelling it’s ever been. Its unique design language, variety of powertrain options and affordable price tag makes a compelling case. For 2022, the Camry continues on just like a Swiss knife, serving a purpose of reliability and practicality.
Performance
The base engine still remains a 2.5 liter four cylinder that makes 206 horsepower and 186 lb-ft. This engine is paired to a silky eight speed automatic but it has an underwhelming response. The hybrid powertrain option has a slightly less powerful version of the 2.5 liter engine paired with a battery and two electric motors. The real gem of the lineup is the velvety smooth 3.5 liter V6 that makes 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. Toyota has optimized the 2.5 for efficiency, and the tradeoff is a rather sluggish acceleration.
This generation of the Camry is fun to drive unlike its predecessors. The steering is pleasantly weighted when cornering and light when maneuvering in low speed situations. The brake pedal feels responsive and not too soft. The hybrid option also has regenerative braking mixed in with the normal brakes, and lower speeds, the brake pedal feel is extremely hypersensitive making parking maneuvers a bit hectic. The Camry SE benefits from a slightly sportier suspension which lends a more hunkered down fee. The vehicle isn’t set up for aggressive driving but can be considered capable.
All powertrain options perform extremely well in the EPA’s tests. The most efficient non-hybrid Camry models are the LE and the SE with the four cylinder engine which earned an EPA estimate of 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. The base LE hybrid earned a rating of 51 mpg city and 53 mpg highway. The hybrid's upper trims sacrifice some efficiency for luxury, while the V6 model earns 22 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.
Interior
Both the top level XLE trim and the base SE are spacious and comfortable with the XLE being downright luxurious. However there is a large gap in material quality between the trims. The Camry is a large sedan with a lot of cargo space and interior storage in both the trunk and cabin area. Toyota relocated the Camry’s hybrid battery from the trunk to beneath the rear seats, which means that hybrid owners don’t need to sacrifice space for the extra boost in efficiency.
Toyota’s touchscreen infotainment system called Entune 2.0 is standard across the Camry lineup. The system has a lot of features and responds well to user inputs, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are standard. The Camry is comfortable and will suit a wide range of drivers. The cabin is pleasant and provides a cool environment for any occupant during long rides. The biggest flaw is that the Camry lets in too much outside noise. During hard acceleration the engine buzzes loudly, and wind and road noise are noticeable at highway speeds.
The trunk area is large for the class at 15.1 cubic feet. It also has a wide opening with a low lift over height. The rear seats are split 60/40, easy to fold down through a trunk mounted release handle if you need to carry longer items like skis.
Safety
The Camry is a strong performer in IIHS safety testing earning a 2021 top safety pick. It also receives a five star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Toyota has decided to make driver assistance technology standard on all Camry models. Key safety features include; standard forward collision warning and automated emergency braking, standard lane departure warning and lane keeping assist, and standard adaptive cruise control.
Warranty & Maintenance
While rivals such as the Kia K5 and the Hyundai Sonata have longer warranty periods in this class, Toyota also has solid coverage with two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance. A limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles, and a powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles.
Final Thoughts
With this generation, Toyota injected life and excitement into the Camry. It’s built on Toyota’s bulletproof reliability platform, for buyers who want great efficiency, affordability and comfort. Sure, it doesn’t do everything best, but it’s a great all-around family sedan.
