Used 2019 Toyota Camry XSE Sedan Review

Name: 2019 Toyota Camry Review
Brand: Toyota

More about the 2019 Camry

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 2019 Toyota Camry XSE Sedan.

5 (46%)

4 (18%)

3 (10%)

2 (13%)

1 (13%)

3.7

30 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Great Car With A Two Distinct Shortcomings

Jim , Melbourne, FL, 10/06/2019

2019 Toyota Camry XSE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

This car is now 2 & 1/2 years old. It's been mechanically flawless. No problems. Average gas mileage since purchase is 37.3 over 25000 miles. Yes, we drive conservatively and the 25000 mulea includes over 5000 miles of steady interstate driving, which boosts the average mpg. I purchased a 2019 Camry XSE about 6 weeks ago. The dealer delivered the car for $26,500 or $6200 under … sticker. I traded a 2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring which I loved with 44K trouble free miles. After driving the car a little over 3000 miles, I have enough experience with the car to provide an objective review. Ok, here's the deal. The Camry is a good car, with two noteworthy shortcomings. The Camry seats are very comfortable; a little more so than the Mazda. The dash provides a lot of information. As many others have reported, the electronics stink. This is the first shortcoming. My 2017 Highlander has better electronics. The downloadable Navigation is useless. Just use your phone. The stereo on the other hand is fine. The panoramic sunroof is really nice. The a/c keeps the car freezer cold, and I live in Florida. It really cranks out freezer cold air. The ride is comfortable, but not plush & isolated. The Mazda had a slightly better ride. That's because the SE & XSE come with low profile tires that do not help isolate passengers from road imperfections. The trade off is better handling. The LE & XLE trims come with a more plush suspension, thicker tires, and a plusher suspension. But my wife & I liked the look of the XSE better and were willing to forego isolation for appearance & handling. Both cars handle very well. The Mazda tracked well in turns and the Toyota seems up to the task as well. The second shortcoming is the "way" the Camry accelerates. This could be a deal breaker for some. Mind you, the car is not slow. Acceleration is just not smooth, linear, & immediate, like in the Mazda. Step on the gas pedal lightly and the Camry barely moves. It almost feels like it is hesitating. Step on the pedal firmly & the car takes off with some verve. Trying to find a middle ground is not an easy task. The 8-speed transmission, which shifts smoothly, has 3 settings: economy, normal & sport. If you use"economy", the car feels lethargic from a stop. I haven't used "sport". In "normal" mode, the car requires a firm step on the gas pedal to get it moving. I'm still not 100% used to it, but I'm better than I was the first week or two. On the plus side, this new 8-speed automatic provides astonishing gas mileage. I drive conservatively, and, of course, this helps. 2000 of the 3000 miles I have driven were accumulated on a trip to New York & back to Florida. Driving north, I went through the mountains, coming home I took I-95. I got roughly 44 miles per gallon. My best tank was 45.2 & my poorest was 39.9. The 39.9 included 100 miles of NYC driving. The car EASILY gets 600 miles on a 16 gallon tank when being driven at 70mph. This fuel economy can be achieved on the LE & XLE trims while enjoying a more plush ride. I think Toyota would benefit significantly from improving the electronics system and doing something with the 8-speed transmission to make it more linear in operation while maintaining this outstanding fuel economy. Personally, I could care less about the downloadable navigation. I have a Garmin or I can use my phone. But the acceleration issue may be a problem for some drivers. I suggest a focused test drive for potential buyers.

Loving my Camry!

Cade Milam, Hagerstown, MD, 08/02/2019

2019 Toyota Camry XSE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

Traded in my 2012 Maxima for a brand new 2019 Camry XSE, white with red leather. The car is absolutely gorgeous. I never thought a Camry would turn people’s heads, which it does particularly well when the windows are down and the red seats are visible. It is loaded with safety tech, but sometimes I think it intentionally tries to kill you. The automatic braking is way too sensitive, even …

2019 Camry XSE, 4 cylinder a V6.

Pete, Los Angeles, CA, 12/17/2018

2019 Toyota Camry XSE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

This new Camry with the 2.5 liter 4 cylinder engine makes plenty of power, and I see no reason to pay $4000 for a V6 option. On a 200 miles road-trip I had taken this weekend, my Camry achieved 41 mpgs on the highway, at speeds of around 70 mph. That's really good, considering it makes 206 horse-power without a turbo charger. The performance is actually very impressive, but when one …

BAD SEAT DESIGN

Jared, Ashburn, VA, 07/20/2019

2019 Toyota Camry XSE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

Back seats are infuriatingly uncomfortable for passengers. Forces your back to be concave and the headrests Feel like they’re made by someone that’s never sat in a seat. They force your head forward compared to your body. Genuinely amazed these non-ergonomic seats passed initial design phases

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Edmunds Summary Review of the 2019 Toyota Camry XSE Sedan

What’s new

New Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibility
Part of the eighth Camry generation introduced for 2018

Pros & Cons

Pro:Strong fuel economy from four-cylinder engine
Pro:Plenty of cabin and cargo space
Pro:Impressively easy car to drive
Con:Subpar infotainment and smartphone integration
Con:Engine noise is prominent during acceleration
Con:Advanced driver aids can be overly sensitive

Full Edmunds Review: 2019 Toyota Camry Sedan

byTravis Langness^{Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.}

Vehicle overview

Crossover SUVs might be all the rage, but there is still something to be said for the tried-and-true midsize sedan. Exhibit A: the 2019 Toyota Camry. Coming off a redesign just last year, the Camry is a spacious, fuel-efficient sedan with lots of standard safety equipment and plenty of options to choose from.

As has been the case for a while, you can get the Camry with a four-cylinder engine or a more powerful V6, or you can get the miserly Camry Hybrid. On the highway, the Camry is comfortable and compliant. Toyota also offers two sporty versions that infuse the Camry with a bit of extra personality. Inside, the Camry offers a simple yet feature-packed cabin, especially if you go with one of the upper trim levels. There are plenty of options to choose from along the way.

The 2019 Toyota Camry is as competent as they come. It's well-priced on the whole, and modern feature content makes it supremely easy to drive. If you're looking for something with a bit more class and space than a small sedan, the Toyota Camry might just be the sedan for you.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Camry as one of Edmunds' Best Midsize Sedans for this year.

What's it like to live with?

Because of its thoroughly overhauled cabin and redesigned exterior, the eighth-generation Toyota Camry was an interesting addition to our long-term vehicle testing program. We bought a 2018 Camry in the sporty SE trim and tested it for more than a year. To learn what it was like to live with, read our long-term test, where we covered everything from seat comfort to fuel economy. Note that the 2019 Camry differs slightly from last year's model, which did not have Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, but our coverage is otherwise applicable.

2019 Toyota Camry models

The 2019 Camry is available in five different trim levels: L, LE, SE, XSE and XLE. The differences among them chiefly boil down to features, with the exception of the SE and the XSE that also include a sportier suspension. All trims come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 203 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque (add 3 hp and 2 lb-ft for XSE models). Optional on the XLE and the XSE is a 3.5-liter V6 (301 hp, 267 lb-ft). Every Camry comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Toyota Camry L

The Camry L is the base trim. It comes with a relatively light load of features that includes 16-inch steel wheels, automatic LED headlights, cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver's seat, a rearview camera, keyless entry, a 7-inch touchscreen interface, navigation (GPS Scout Link), Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa connectivity, one USB port, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker sound system.

Standard on every Camry is Toyota Safety Sense, which is a suite of driver assistance features including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert with steering assistance, and automatic high beams.

Toyota Camry LE and SE

On the next rung up the ladder is the LE. It adds a power-adjustable driver's seat, 17-inch alloy wheels, a 60/40-split folding back seat and a car alarm. For a sporty dynamic, look at the SE. It adds a sport-tuned suspension, revised steering calibration, 18-inch wheels, simulated-leather upholstery (SofTex) seats and paddle shifters.

Toyota Camry XLE and the XSE

You can think of the XLE and the XSE trim levels as versions of the LE and the SE, respectively, with a variety of additional comfort and convenience items. Highlights include larger wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, a head-up display, blind-spot monitoring, keyless ignition, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, extra USB ports, a bigger 8-inch touchscreen, and wireless smartphone charging.

Many of the features found on the upper trim levels can be added to the lower trim levels as options. Other notable options include a sunroof, a JBL sound system combined with a built-in navigation system, a head-up display, and a top-down parking camera system.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Toyota Camry XLE (2.5L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | FWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2018, the current Camry has received some revisions, including the addition of Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Our findings remain applicable to this year's Camry, however.

Driving

7.5

This generation Camry has more spirit than its predecessor, which is most apparent in its more refined steering and handling. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder provides adequate power for most situations, and its eight-speed automatic transmission is well-mannered.

Acceleration

7.0

Rev up the four-cylinder engine and it accelerates adequately. At our test track, our test car went 0-60 mph in 7.9 seconds. It's a willing engine, but it can sometimes feel lackluster at low rpm or around town. The pricey V6 option is a luxury, not a necessity.

Braking

7.5

It's easy to modulate the brakes, and the pedal effort is appropriate for this class of car. It's not too firm or mushy. In our testing, the Camry stopped from 60 mph in 122 feet, an average result.

Steering

7.5

The steering is suitably direct and well-weighted, with good on-center feel. It's not exactly sporty in terms of feeling the grip at the front tires, but it's certainly keener than previous Camrys. Sport mode makes the steering unnecessarily heavy.

Handling

7.5

Handling is well-mannered within modest limits. It feels tidy for a car of its size in this class. Body roll isn't excessive, though it bobs vertically on bumpy, twisting roads more than we'd like. At modest cornering speeds, there's quite a bit of tire howl. The Camry SE versions provide sportier handling with a minimal loss of ride comfort.

Drivability

8.5

The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and quickly. Press on the gas at a stoplight and the Camry moves off with no lurchiness or pregnant pauses, making for a pleasant, innocuous driving experience.

Comfort

7.5

The Camry's big, comfortable seats, smooth ride and powerful climate control mean a pleasant experience for passengers of most sizes. But the Camry's a bit on the noisy side, with a prominent engine buzz when accelerating and noticeable wind and road noise at freeway speeds.

Seat comfort

7.5

At first sit, the front seats feel flat, wide and overly cushioned. However, this initial impression dissolves quickly because long-trip comfort proves excellent. The back seat is upright with a flat bottom and modestly contoured seatback.

Ride comfort

7.5

The Camry is buttoned-down for the most part. Typical pavement bumps, whether large or small, are soaked up nicely. The ride is never what we'd call wallowy or floaty, but it can exhibit some excessive vertical ride motions on bumpy roads.

Noise & vibration

6.0

The Camry is not a serenely quiet car. The engine can be buzzy and coarse during acceleration, but it does fade into the background when cruising. There's a whiff of wind noise and some tire-related road noise, too.

Climate control

7.5

With two knobs for temperature and buttons for other controls, the Camry has a simple and straightforward layout for its climate controls. The system cools down the cabin effectively, even in triple-digit heat. That it operates very quietly makes it even better. The back seat gets two vents as part of an option package.

Interior

8.0

The Camry's cabin won't wow you with its opulence, but it does get the fundamentals right. The driver's seat will satisfy a truly broad range of sizes and shapes, and the cabin is spacious. And with easy-to-decipher controls, the Camry is a cinch to live with on a daily basis.

Ease of use

8.0

The Camry doesn't make anything a mystery. The clear, large gauges and simple, well-labeled buttons make it intuitive for anyone to operate. The radio volume and tuning knobs are easy for the driver to reach, but they are a bit of a stretch for the passenger.

Getting in/getting out

8.0

Typical of Toyotas, the Camry is easy to get into and out of. It has very light doors, narrow sills and sizable door openings.

Driving position

8.0

Taller drivers will be pleased with the reach of the telescoping wheel. A generously sized driver footwell and an appropriate distance from the steering wheel to the pedals and seat make the Camry very comfortable to pilot.

Roominess

8.5

The cabin feels airy with ample headroom and legroom for 6-plus-footers. Although there's plenty of legroom for 6-footers, their heads may brush up on the roof a little.

Visibility

8.5

A low-ish beltline and slim roof pillars aid the view forward and out the front side windows. There is decent visibility over your shoulder and out the back window, too. An optional top-view camera system provides a clear and comprehensive depiction of the surroundings.

Quality

8.0

Soft-touch surfaces abound, and they look and feel good. Its design and variety of textures won't be mistaken for those of a luxury car, but they're attractive without sacrificing functionality.

Utility

8.5

As sedans go, the Camry's stuff-hauling credentials are pretty solid. The cargo area is large and opens wide, plus the back seat is easy to fold down to fit longer items. There are enough cabin storage options to make most people happy. Loading a car seat is straightforward, too.

Small-item storage

7.0

Cabin storage is good but not stellar. The forward center console bin is great for concealing items but has a hard, slippery floor, so they slide around noisily. The console bin at your elbow is a decent size, and there are modest door pockets in the front and rear that are good for small water bottles only.

Cargo space

9.0

The Camry has a large trunk, and the 60/40-split folding back seat with trunk-mounted release handles make it easy to expand the space. Loading groceries or luggage is helped out by the wide opening and a low liftover height.

Child safety seat accommodation

8.5

It's very easy to mount a car seat, with obvious and easily accessible lower anchors and package tray-mounted tether point, both under plastic covers. There's enough space so that the front seat need not be scooted all the way forward.

Technology

6.5

All Camrys have an impressive suite of standard driver assistance features, but some are too sensitive or cannot be turned off completely. Built-in navigation is largely unavailable. That said, the audio system is quite easy to learn and use.

Audio & navigation

5.0

The audio system layout is simple and effective, with chunky, well-labeled buttons and a clear display even in direct sun. However, built-in navigation is hard to get on the Camry. On most models, Toyota instead forces you to pair a phone via the Entune app and then use the approved Scout GPS Link app to get navigation.

Smartphone integration

6.0

Bluetooth audio is straightforward, but Toyota's Entune system requires that the user pairs Bluetooth and connect a cord to use all its features. It feels clunky at first but reconnects quickly on subsequent visits. Apple CarPlay is standard this year, but Android Auto is not available.

Driver aids

7.0

Its many standard driver aids are impressive: adaptive cruise, automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist. But the lane departure warnings are overly sensitive and cannot be turned off. Pre-collision system proved too sensitive during routine parking maneuvers and certain acceleration events.

Voice control

7.5

Voice commands work well if you go through the setup process that teaches the car your speech patterns. Or you can use Siri Eyes Free on your paired smartphone by pressing and holding the voice button. It's a good alternative, and you don't have to run the Entune app to make it work.

Edmunds Insurance Estimator

The Edmunds TCO^® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2019 Toyota Camry in Ohio is:

$56.08 per month^*

Legal

Used 2019 Toyota Camry XSE Sedan Review

Most helpful consumer reviews

Great Car With A Two Distinct Shortcomings

Loving my Camry!

2019 Camry XSE, 4 cylinder a V6.

BAD SEAT DESIGN

Edmunds Summary Review of the 2019 Toyota Camry XSE Sedan

Which Camry does Edmunds recommend?

Full Edmunds Review: 2019 Toyota Camry Sedan

Vehicle overview

What's it like to live with?

2019 Toyota Camry models

Toyota Camry L

Toyota Camry LE and SE

Toyota Camry XLE and the XSE

Trim tested

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Climate control

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Driving position

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Small-item storage

Cargo space

Child safety seat accommodation

Technology

Audio & navigation

Smartphone integration

Driver aids

Voice control

Edmunds Insurance Estimator

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