Vehicle Overview
Popularity of a particular consumer item in America and the quality of said consumer item don't always correlate very well. Whether you're talking about hamburgers or watches, cheap often wins the day, but that's not the case with the 2017 Toyota Camry. This is a best-selling sedan and and it's also one of best.
This largely comes down to how well the Camry goes about its business. It's comfortable to drive every day and has a big backseat that will carry some friends to lunch or haul your family across the country. The Camry is also easy to see out of, can be fitted with a helpful array of technology features and boasts excellent safety scores. Toyota even offers two distinct versions of the Camry, the regular LE and XLE and the sport-themed SE and XSE, to better satisfy a range of driving preferences.
Even if you go with the SE or XSE, the Camry isn't the sportiest sedan in the segment. The Camry's arch-rival, the Honda Accord, is a bit livelier, as are the Ford Fusion and Mazda 6. Nor does the Camry have the lock on value as the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima are impressively well-rounded for the price. But overall we think the Camry deserves a look thanks to its overall level of refinement, features and comfort.
Powertrains and Performance
Every 2017 Toyota Camry trim comes standard with front-wheel drive, a six-speed automatic transmission and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 178 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque.
In Edmunds testing, a Camry LE with the standard engine went from zero to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds, which is a bit slower than average for a four-cylinder midsize sedan.
The XSE and XLE trims also offer a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. An XLE V6 sprinted to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds in our testing, a quick result for this class of vehicle.
EPA-estimated fuel economy for the four-cylinder engine wasn't available as of this writing but last year's Camry was rated at 28 mpg combined (25 mpg city/35 mpg highway), a few mpg behind rivals like the Honda Accord or Kia Optima.
The V6's EPA-estimated fuel economy of 24 mpg combined (21 mpg city/30 mpg highway) is about average compared to rival V6 engines.
Safety
Every 2017 Toyota Camry comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front and rear side airbags, front knee airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and a rearview camera.
The XSE and XLE can optionally be equipped with a blind-spot warning system that's paired with a rear cross-traffic alert system. The Technology package adds a lane departure warning system and a forward collision mitigation system that warns the driver of an imminent collision and automatically applies the brakes if necessary.
Optional only on the XLE is Safety Connect, which adds automatic collision notification, an emergency assist button and a stolen-vehicle locator.
In Edmunds brake testing, a Camry LE stopped from 60 mph in an impressively short 116 feet. However, a pair of XLE V6 test cars stopped from 60 mph in 127 and 129 feet, which is on the long side for this class.
In government crash testing, the Camry received five out of five stars for overall crash protection, with four stars for frontal-impact protection and five stars for side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Camry its best possible rating of "Good" in its moderate-overlap and small-overlap frontal-offset impact tests. The Camry also earned a "Good" score in the side-impact, roof-strength and head restraint/seatbelts (whiplash protection) tests.
Additional Information
Midsize sedans make up one of the most competitive vehicle classes in the U.S., but the 2017 Toyota Camry continues a tradition of quality, reliability, comfort and affordability that has made it a best-seller for many years. Unpretentious yet capable, the Camry may not stand out in any one area, but it does almost everything well, fulfilling the needs of a wide variety of buyers.
After a major update two years ago, the Camry remains essentially unchanged for 2017. The higher XLE and XSE trim levels now feature a standard premium infotainment and navigation system, and the Special Edition model has been dropped from the lineup.
The Camry's design is probably best described as handsome, rather than breathtaking. The last refresh gave it a low beltline for increased outward visibility and a more aggressive front-end treatment with a thin upper grille and large lower section that gets wider toward the bottom. Available LED headlights and daytime running lights not only provide better illumination but also add a touch of style.
However, the interior is where the Camry really shines. With a generous amount of headroom and legroom for front-seat occupants, the midsize Toyota also includes one of the largest rear seats in its class. And even the base models come with an array of comfort and convenience features, high-quality materials and a host of safety and technology equipment.
The standard powerplant is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 178 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. An optional 3.5-liter V6 ups the power to 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque, and both engines come mated to a smooth-shifting, 6-speed electronically controlled transmission. A hybrid model with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is also available.
The 2017 Camry, like its predecessors, is designed for a comfortable, quiet ride, whether on a daily commute in city traffic or fully loaded on a cross-country trip. Although it has no sporting pretensions, the Camry comports itself well enough on the road, handling corners in a stately but confidence-inspiring manner and delivering driver and passengers to their destination with a minimum amount of drama.
Fuel economy for the base Camry with the four-cylinder engine is rated by the EPA at 27 mpg combined (24 city/33 highway). Opting for the V6 lowers the rating to 24 mpg combined (21 city/30 highway).
Trim levels for 2017 include the already well-equipped base Camry LE, the somewhat sportier SE and XSE models and the luxury-oriented XLE. Whatever your particular needs, let Edmunds help you choose the right 2017 Toyota Camry at the right price.
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
