The Toyota Camry has been a favourite sedan in the U.S. for over 20 years, even as more people choose SUVs and trucks. Its success comes from being adaptable and appealing to many drivers.
Unlike competitors that only offer four-cylinder engines, the Camry gives you the choice of a powerful 301-horsepower V-6 or an efficient hybrid model. The latest Camry models have added stylish features and maintained their well-known reliability.
Pros and Cons of Toyota Camry
Pros
- Reliable: Known for lasting a long time with proper care.
- Fuel-Efficient: Great gas mileage, especially hybrids.
- Comfortable: Spacious interior with luxury options on higher trims.
- Safe: Packed with safety features for protection.
- Good Resale Value: Holds its value well over time.
- Many Choices: Offers gas, hybrid, and V-6 engines.
Cons
- Plain Design: Looks can be too simple for some.
- Not Very Exciting to Drive: Improved but still needs more fun factor.
- Can Get Expensive: Higher trims and options add up.
- Complicated Infotainment: There are more straightforward systems to use.
- Limited AWD: Not available on all models.
What’s New for Toyota Camry 2024?
For 2024, the Toyota Camry will maintain its strong presence in the sedan market with minimal changes, highlighting its well-established balance of comfort, efficiency, and performance.
The only update for this year is the removal of Amazon’s Alexa from its infotainment offerings, signifying a streamlined approach to connectivity and user interface. This minor tweak emphasizes Toyota’s focus on refining rather than overhauling the Camry’s successful formula.
Toyota Camry’s Price Analysis for March 2024
The 2024 Toyota Camry’s price spectrum begins at $27,515 and peaks at $35,390, catering to a wide range of budgets and preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the available trims:
- LE: Starting at $27,515, this base model offers solid value with essential features.
- SE: For $29,055, you get sportier styling and upgraded amenities.
- LE Hybrid: Priced at $29,950, it combines efficiency with the base model’s comfort.
- SE Hybrid: At $31,485, it adds a sporty edge to the hybrid’s economic performance.
- XLE: This trim costs $32,265 and enhances luxury and tech features.
- XSE: For $32,815, it merges XLE luxury with SE sportiness.
- TRD: Priced at $34,580, focusing on performance enhancements.
- XLE Hybrid: At $34,840, it’s the ideal mix of efficiency, luxury, and comfort.
- XSE Hybrid: The top-tier at $35,390, offering the best sportiness and hybrid efficiency.
The XLE Hybrid is the preferred choice, embodying the Camry’s essence: a dependable, family-friendly sedan without sacrificing comfort or efficiency. With a 208-hp hybrid powertrain, it may not be the most exhilarating. Still, it excels in ride quality and fuel economy, complemented by a plush, well-appointed leather interior.
Engine Options and Performance
Standard Four-Cylinder Engine
The base engine is a four-cylinder linked to a smooth-operating eight-speed automatic transmission. While this setup is designed for efficiency and reliability, its acceleration might not meet the expectations of drivers looking for a more thrilling experience behind the wheel.
Hybrid Variants
The Camry’s hybrid models offer an environmentally friendly alternative for those prioritizing fuel efficiency. These trims feature a less powerful version of the four-cylinder engine supplemented by a battery and two electric motors.
The result is an economical and accessible vehicle for the environment. However, it only sometimes elevates the driving excitement beyond the base model’s performance.
V-6 Engine Option
The game-changer for many is the availability of a 301-hp V-6 engine in the XLE, XSE, and TRD trims. This powerful engine option transforms the Camry’s driving dynamics, offering a more engaging and enjoyable driving experience. The V-6 engine brings a level of unexpected and appreciated performance in a sedan known for its reliability and comfort.
Transmission and Handling
The eight-speed automatic transmission paired with the standard four-cylinder engine is praised for its smoothness, ensuring a seamless driving experience. For those opting for the V-6-powered models, the transmission continues to impress, effectively harnessing the engine’s power and delivering a responsive ride.
Steering and Dynamics
Toyota has finely tuned the Camry’s steering to suit its versatile role. The steering feel strikes a balance between being reassuringly substantial during higher-speed cornering and effortlessly light when navigating through parking lots or tight urban spaces. This thoughtful calibration ensures that the Camry is as much a pleasure to drive on a winding road as it is practical in everyday scenarios.
Ride Quality and Braking
One of the Camry’s standout features is its controlled ride. The suspension setup is designed to absorb bumps and imperfections in the road, maintaining comfort without sacrificing handling.
The braking system is equally commendable, especially in the hybrid models, combining traditional friction braking with regenerative braking technology. This contributes to the vehicle’s efficiency and does so without compromising the brake pedal’s feel or responsiveness.
Interior Design and Quality
The Camry’s instrument panel and centre console are consistent across all trims, featuring a design that may appeal to those who appreciate its unique style, characterized by slightly complex lines and an abundance of buttons.
This uniformity ensures all Camry models have a recognizable and coherent interior aesthetic. Still, it also means that the visual and tactile experience doesn’t vary significantly across the base to mid-range trims.
Material Quality Across Trims
The range in cabin material quality from the base SE to the top-end XSE Hybrid is surprisingly broad, given the relatively narrow $8,000 price gap across the nine available trims. The entry-level models, such as the SE, offer more basic, functional interiors focusing on durability and practicality without much luxury.
In contrast, the higher trims, particularly the XLE and XSE, elevate the interior experience to a level of luxury unexpected in a sedan priced around $35,000. These models feature higher-quality materials, more sophisticated design elements, and additional comfort amenities, creating a more premium environment.
Comfort and Space
One aspect where the Camry consistently excels is in providing comfortable and spacious accommodations for passengers. The sedan’s generous dimensions ensure ample room in front and rear seats, making long drives and daily commutes equally pleasant. Interior storage is thoughtfully integrated, with numerous cubbies and compartments to keep personal items organized and within easy reach.
Cargo Capacity
The Camry’s large trunk is another highlight, offering substantial cargo space among the best in its class. This practicality is further enhanced by the rear seats, which can fold to accommodate more oversized items.
Toyota’s thoughtful engineering in the hybrid models, where the battery has been relocated from the trunk area to beneath the rear seats, means that choosing a more fuel-efficient Camry doesn’t come at the expense of cargo space. This move ensures hybrid owners enjoy the same practicality and convenience as those opting for non-hybrid variants.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Toyota Camry equips all its models with the Entune 3.0 touchscreen infotainment system, providing a unified technological experience. This commitment to standardizing high-quality infotainment features underscores Toyota’s dedication to delivering contemporary connectivity and entertainment options to all Camry drivers.
Entune 3.0: Features and Performance
Entune 3.0 is notable for its comprehensive features, designed to cater to the modern driver’s need for information, entertainment, and connectivity on the go.
The system’s user-friendly interface features intuitive navigation and responsive touch controls. Entune has demonstrated commendable performance in testing, with quick response times and minimal lag when accessing various functions.
Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Every Toyota Camry comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On the car’s screen, you can easily use your phone’s essential features, like calls, texts, and maps. It accomplishes counts if you have an iPhone or an Android phone; you can stay connected and entertained while driving.
Better Entune System
Toyota has a particular version of their Entune system if you want even more excellent tech. This upgrade has better sound systems, giant screens, and advanced maps. It makes your music sound better and easier to find your way around.
Safety Features
Toyota makes sure every Camry is safe. They include lots of safety tech to protect you and your passengers. You can find out how well the Camry does in safety tests by checking out websites like NHTSA and IIHS.
Important Safety Tech
- Collision Alert and Auto Brake: This warns you if you’re about to hit something and can brake for you to prevent a crash.
- Lane Warning and Assist: If you start drifting out of your lane, the car will let you know and help steer you back.
- Adaptive Cruise Control: This protects you from the car in front, which is excellent for long trips and heavy traffic.
Warranty and Free Maintenance
Toyota’s Warranty is good, even if it’s not the longest. You get:
- Limited Warranty protects three years or 36,000 miles for most car issues.
- Powertrain Warranty: You have five years or 60,000 miles of coverage for the engine and transmission.
- Free Maintenance: For two years or 25,000 miles, you don’t have to pay for basic upkeep like oil changes.
FAQs: Toyota Camry’s Price
Q: What does the 2024 Camry cost?
A: Prices start at $27,515 for the LE model and go up to $35,390 for the XSE Hybrid.
Q: Are hybrids more expensive?
A: Hybrids cost more due to their advanced tech, but they save you money on gas.
Q: What Warranty comes with the Camry?
A: You get a three-year or 36,000-mile basic security, a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain guarantee, and two years of free maintenance.
Conclusion
The Toyota Camry‘s range for 2024 offers something for everyone, from efficient hybrids to powerful V-6 models. With its blend of safety, comfort, and reliability, the Camry is a smart choice for sedan buyers, backed by Toyota’s reputation for quality and value.
