The Toyota Camry has long been a staple in the sedan market, known and loved for its reliability, comfort, and performance. For a buyer seeking a dependable ride that won't break the bank, a used Toyota Camry could be the perfect match.

In this guide, we discuss why the Camry remains a top choice for savvy buyers, highlight its standout features, and help interested buyers understand what to consider when looking for a used Toyota Camry for sale. So buckle up as we explore what makes this iconic vehicle a perennial favorite.

Why the Toyota Camry is a timeless classic

Introduced in the United States in 1983, the Toyota Camry earned its reputation as a perpetual favorite. It's been America’s bestselling car for over two decades. Year after year, the Camry is also among the top choices in the sedan market, winning over drivers with its smooth ride and low maintenance costs.

The Camry’s reputation for durability and resale value makes it a smart choice, proving that some things never go out of style.

The Toyota Camry’s top qualities

The Toyota Camry stands out in the sedan market for several compelling reasons that keep car buyers coming back to this iconic vehicle.

Reliability and durability

The Toyota Camry is synonymous with reliability. RepairPal gives the Camry a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, ranking it third out of 24 midsize cars. The average annual repair cost for a Camry is below average at $388.

Camrys are often known to reach and even exceed 300,000 miles with regular, dealer-recommended maintenance.

Comfort and interior features

The Camry offers a surprisingly spacious, well-designed interior. The seats provide excellent support, making long drives comfortable.

Depending on the trim, riders can enjoy amenities like heated seats, a premium sound system, and a user-friendly infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The quiet cabin and generous legroom make every ride a pleasant one, whether it’s a commute to work or a road trip.

Performance and fuel efficiency

The Camry beautifully balances performance and fuel efficiency. Its responsive, razor-sharp handling and smooth ride make driving enjoyable in various conditions.

Its standard four-cylinder engine delivers solid acceleration and excellent fuel economy. For those seeking more oomph, the available V6 engine offers a thrilling drive with its powerful performance. The average fuel economy across Camry models from the past 20 years ranges between 25 and 35 combined miles per gallon (MPG).

The Camry hybrid provides even better fuel efficiency, making it an excellent option for eco-conscious drivers. Some hybrid model years achieve over 50 combined MPG.

Top three features across most trims and years

Certain Toyota Camry features consistently stand out. Here are the top three features that shine across most trims and years.

1. Advanced safety features

Toyota has a strong commitment to safety. From early models to the latest versions, the Camry has long prioritized driver and passenger safety.

All Toyota models released in 2018 or later came standard with a version of Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), a safety suite with features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pre-collision systems.

Camrys before 2018 offered the following safety features:

2007 through 2011: Standard side-impact and side-curtain airbags; optional electronic stability system (ESS) became standard for the 2010 model year
2012: 10 standard airbags; standard ESS and antilock brakes (ABS); XLE trim offered optional blind spot warning system
2013: Added standard emergency brake assist
2014: Added optional rear cross-traffic alert
2015: All above; for XSE trim only, standard lane departure warning, front pre-collision warning, blind spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert
2016-2017: Added subscription-based Safety Connect emergency communication system with automatic collision notification

Toyota's dedication to safety has consistently earned the Camry high marks in crash tests and a reputation for reliability on the road.

2. User-friendly infotainment system

The infotainment system in a Camry feels as intuitive as a well-designed smartphone app. Toyota has mastered the balance of technology and ease of use, offering a seamless experience for adjusting navigation, listening to music, or making a hands-free call.

Since the 2012 model year, all Camrys have come standard with Bluetooth and an iPod-compatible stereo. The LE, XLE, and SE trims featured a touchscreen stereo with Bluetooth audio streaming, JBL audio, a navigation system, and Toyota's Entune multimedia system.

All Camrys from 2017 forward include:

Touchscreen interface
Entune app suite
Premium sound system
Qi wireless charging station
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility

3. Spacious and comfortable interior

The Camry’s interior space and comfort take center stage. Designed with both driver and passenger comfort in mind, the Camry offers ample legroom, supportive seating, and high-quality materials. Rear passengers also benefit from generous headroom and legroom, making it an excellent choice for families and carpoolers.

Considerations when buying a used Toyota Camry

Before seeking a used Toyota Camry for sale, here are some key considerations to keep in mind.

Differences between trim levels

The Toyota Camry offers various trim levels, each with distinct features and specifications:

Base trims like the LE typically provide essential amenities like power windows and a basic infotainment system.
Mid-level trims like the SE often add sportier styling and upgraded interior materials.
Premium trims like the XLE and XSE usually come with luxury features, including leather seats, an upgraded infotainment system, advanced navigation systems, and enhanced safety technology.

Key changes across model years

The Camry has seen several significant updates over the years. For example, the 2015 model introduced a major facelift with a more aggressive exterior design and improved interior quality.

The 2018 model year brought a complete redesign, featuring a new platform for better handling and the TSS safety suite as standard. Older Camry models have fewer advanced safety features.

Common issues to look for

While the Toyota Camry is known for its reliability, there are a few common issues to be aware of when buying a pre-owned Camry.

For example:

Some models in the mid-to-late eighties had excessive oil consumption problems.
Owners of some models have reported issues with the automatic transmission, including rough shifting.
Toyota has addressed several concerns through recall campaigns, so checking for recalls on specific model years is wise.

EchoPark’s standard 190-point inspection process — which every used car in our inventory goes through — can help avoid potential headaches. In addition to correcting any of the above issues and others we might find with each vehicle, we also provide buyers with a complete CarFax vehicle history report, which includes the vehicle's ownership, repair, and maintenance history.

Comparable makes and models

Here are some of the Toyota Camry’s comparable competitors:

Find your ideal used Toyota Camry at EchoPark Automotive

At EchoPark Automotive, we use our expertise in the used car market to help you find your perfect match. All EchoPark used cars undergo our thorough 190-point quality inspection, guaranteeing top-notch quality, reliability, and appearance.

Browse our extensive selection of used Toyota Camry models today and contact us to schedule a test drive. With our 7-day Happiness Guarantee and over 77,000 5-star reviews, you can drive away with confidence, knowing you’ve made a great choice with EchoPark Automotive.

¹ Vehicle must be in the same condition as described. If you sell to us within 48 hours of receiving our offer, we'll tack on an extra $250, and if not, our offer is still good for 7 days or 500 miles, whichever comes first.

Scheduling a test drive does not reserve the vehicle. It will remain in our inventory and may be sold prior to your scheduled test drive. An Experience Guide will contact you to confirm your appointment.

Fuel efficiency actual rating will vary with options, driving conditions, habits and vehicle condition. All fuel efficiency estimates are supplied by the original manufacturer or other reliable sources. Payment estimator calculations are for reference purposes only.

We have taken reasonable efforts to ensure display of accurate data; however, the information shown may contain errors and omissions, may not reflect all vehicle items and accessories, and errors with regard to pricing may occur. All displayed inventory is subject to prior sale and all prices expire at midnight on the date displayed. Price shown is for the state in which Dealer is physically located and if transferred to another state, the price may change. Dealer is not responsible for any errors but should be consulted in person to confirm the information on this page.

Vehicles may be subject to unrepaired manufacturer recalls. Please contact the manufacturer or a dealer for that line make for recall assistance/questions or check the national highway traffic safety administration website for current recall information before purchasing.