2023 Toyota Camry Review

The Camry, a long-standing contender in the midsize sedan segment, has faced challenges due to the rising popularity of SUVs, resulting in declining entries and sales. Nevertheless, despite the changing market dynamics, the Camry has consistently maintained its position as the best-selling passenger car for the past two decades. It has gained a well-deserved reputation for reliability and offers a hybrid version that delivers outstanding fuel efficiency. The current Camry generation possesses a touch of style, especially when equipped with the Nightshade package, which introduces bronze wheels for the 2023 model year, or the sporty-looking TRD trim. While many competitors like the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata have transitioned to four-cylinder lineups, Toyota's midsize sedan still provides the option of a robust 301-horsepower V-6 engine. Although it may not be the most thrilling car to drive, the Camry excels in safety features, efficient engines, and a spacious interior, making it a capable and comfortable choice for everyday commuting.

What’s New

In 2023, the Camry SE trim offers an optional Nightshade package, which includes black headlight and taillight trim that complements the black front grille, rear spoiler, mirror caps, and badges. The package also features matte bronze 19-inch wheels that blend seamlessly with the car's overall aesthetic. You can select the Nightshade package for the Midnight Black, White, or Reservoir Blue color options. Additionally, other Camry models come with more advanced driver-assistance technology, such as automatic high beams and a forward-facing camera that can detect specific road signs and display them on the digital dashboard.

Pros

The Camry offers a comfortable ride and exhibits composed handling, providing a smooth and enjoyable driving experience. Additionally, the optional V6 engine delivers lively performance, adding a peppy and dynamic element to the driving dynamics. The seats in the Camry are spacious and provide ample room for both the driver and passengers, ensuring a comfortable and relaxing journey. Furthermore, the infotainment system in the Camry is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to navigate and access various features and functions without distraction. Overall, the Camry excels in providing a comfortable ride, composed handling, roomy seating, and a user-friendly infotainment system.

Cons

The four-cylinder engine in the Camry has been criticized for its lack of refinement, with some users noting that it can sound unrefined during acceleration. Additionally, at higher speeds on the highway, there have been reports of elevated levels of wind and road noise, which may impact the overall cabin quietness.

Fuel and Real-World MPG

The entire Camry lineup has exhibited exceptional performance in the EPA's tests, and one particular model with a four-cylinder engine demonstrated outstanding results in our real-world highway testing. Among the nonhybrid Camry models, the LE and SE variants equipped with the four-cylinder engine achieved impressive EPA estimates of 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. The base LE hybrid model obtained even higher ratings of 51 mpg city and 53 mpg highway. However, the hybrid's higher trim levels sacrifice some efficiency in favor of luxurious features. Models powered by the V-6 engine obtained ratings of 22 mpg city and up to 33 mpg highway. Notably, four-cylinder Camry SE model surpassed expectations in our highway test, achieving an impressive 45 mpg, exceeding its own EPA rating by 6 mpg. This achievement positions it as the most fuel-efficient nonhybrid car we have ever tested, even surpassing the Camry XLE hybrid we evaluated by 1 mpg. For further details regarding the Camry's fuel economy, we recommend visiting the EPA's website.

Interior & Cargo

We have had the opportunity to test drive both the higher-end XLE version and the more affordable SE trim of the Camry. Both models offer spacious and comfortable interiors, with the XLE trim being particularly luxurious. However, there is a noticeable difference in material quality between the entry-level models and the pricier variants. Some of us found the design of the center section of the dashboard to be uninspiring.

As a large sedan, the Camry provides ample cargo space and interior storage. The trunk and cabin offer plenty of room, and when the rear seat is folded down, there is even more storage capacity. While it may not excel in every storage category, the Camry remains competitive overall. One noteworthy improvement is that Toyota has relocated the hybrid version's battery from the trunk to beneath the rear seats. This means that hybrid owners no longer have to sacrifice cargo space for the sake of achieving better fuel efficiency.

Infotainment

The Camry lineup comes equipped with Toyota's standard touchscreen infotainment system, known as Entune 3.0, while an upgraded version is available as an optional feature. Entune offers a wide range of features and, based on our tests, it responded well to user inputs. Furthermore, the Camry includes standard compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing users to seamlessly integrate their smartphones with the infotainment system.

Safety

We commend Toyota for its commitment to safety by making driver-assistance technology a standard feature across all Camry models. For detailed information about the Camry's crash-test results, we recommend visiting the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Notable safety features include:

- The Camry comes standard with forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking systems. These safety features help detect potential collisions ahead and can automatically apply the brakes to mitigate or avoid an accident.

- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist

- Standard adaptive cruise control

These features contribute to enhanced safety and assist drivers in avoiding potential collisions or accidents.

Final Words

While the Toyota Camry boasts a more striking design, it has often lived in the shadow of its counterpart, the Honda Accord, which also debuted in 2018.Many Camry models offer excellent long-term value, as indicated by positive scores in IntelliChoice tests that assess ownership costs over a five-year period. The Camry lineup also stands out with its exceptional visual differentiation, ranging from the base Camry LE to the premium XLE models and the sportier XSE, which even offers dual-color paint options.

Toyota's continued focus on safety deserves praise, with the 2023 Camry likely to maintain top-notch safety ratings and a comprehensive set of standard active safety technologies throughout the lineup. However, in terms of performance, the Camry falls slightly behind the 2022 Accord (which will soon be replaced by a new model). Whether you're looking for a sporty midsize sedan or a reliable daily commuter, the Honda outperforms the Toyota in these aspects. With three engine options available, we believe that choosing the hybrid variant is the optimal choice. The hybrid not only offers improved fuel economy and an extended driving range but also provides a quiet powertrain. If the price difference between the standard gas-powered four-cylinder and the hybrid powertrain is manageable, we recommend investing in the hybrid for its benefits. Moreover, the Nightshade package, known for its attractive aesthetics, is also available for the hybrid models, allowing you to have a stylish and eye-catching package.