The 2010 Toyota Camry ranks 8 out of 24 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 72 published reviews and test drives of the Toyota Camry, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Toyota Camry remains one of the best values in the automotive world. The 2009 edition won U.S. News' 2009 Best Car for the Money award in the midsize car class with its combination of a reasonable entry price and low long-term cost of ownership. The 2010 model differs little from that car, and should represent a solid investment once again.
The Camry is known for its comfortable interior and gentle ride quality. It is far from the sportiest offering in the midsize class. It's SE trim ("Sport Edition" in Toyota's lexicon) doesn't even match the base models of some competitors for athleticism. Those looking for a midsize car that can race their pulse now and then might want to consider the Mazda6 or Ford Fusion instead. However, the Camry's available V6 is one of the strongest engines in the class, and it offers a refined ride in every form.
The Camry has been the best-selling passenger car in America for seven consecutive years. The current edition was designed for the 2008 model year, and sees an update this year with a slightly more powerful four-cylinder engine (the available V6 remains unchanged), and a new six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Outside, subtle changes include a reshaped bumper and reshaped tail lights, but you'd have to look hard to notice the changes.
The Camry is available in base LE, sporty SE or more upscale XLE trim levels, with either a 169 horsepower four-cylinder engine or a 268 horsepower V6. The 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid, a close variant of the gas-engine Camry, is reviewed separately.
Shoppers might want to note that the Camry is included in a massive and highly-publicized recall due to a floormat design that can trap the vehicle's accelerator pedal, causing unintended acceleration. Toyota safety personnel have informed us that customers can currently purchase a 2010 Camry with floormats. The car will be delivered with the driver's side floormat attached to the track of the driver's seat with zip ties. Customers are asked not to remove the ties. Toyota will contact buyers with a recall notice when a permanent fix is available.
Be sure to check for current Toyota Deals that may be available on a new Camry.
- "Camry is no excitement machine--not even the sporty SE version--and most test examples have suffered uncharacteristic lapses in materials and workmanship. Still, Camry deserves consideration for its powertrain refinement and passenger comfort" -- Consumer Guide
- "With so many appealing options to choose from, we strongly advise shopping around and test-driving as many models as possible. We're fans of the Camry, though." -- Edmunds
- "Since its debut in the United States nearly 25 years ago, the Camry has earned a reputation for smart design, pleasing function, build quality and durability. It's not all hype." -- New Car Test Drive
- "This is a perfectly functional, perfectly capable, perfectly reasonable, perfectly boring automobile. ... Again, all pleasant enough and functional enough, but it's duller than an empty office cubicle." -- AutoWeek
- "The latest edition of America's best-selling car has more of everything, which has to be scary for the competition. This Camry has a better interior, less bland styling, and superior powertrains than before." -- Car and Driver
Camry Performance - 7.7 (Good)
The 2010 Camry offers one of the most relaxed, comfortable rides available in this price range, but it isn't the most exciting car to drive. According to New Car Test Drive, "The Camry is thrilling in no respect, and no particular aspect of its performance is outstanding. Yet it's good in nearly every respect, bad in almost none, and it has a steady, set-and-forget quality that many drivers appreciate. It's pleasant to drive in all circumstances." Read More
Camry Exterior - 8.0 (Very Good)
The automotive press generally finds the Camry attractive enough, but not exciting. Left Lane News captures the spirit of opinion on the Camry when it writes, "The Camry's styling won't offend any potential buyers and gives the car some added mass appeal. Not to say the Camry is a bad looking car, it just doesn't seem to have the character that most other cars have and could easily be lost in the crowd." Read More
Camry Interior - 8.6 (Very Good)
The Camry's passenger cabin has always been its best feature. Comfortable, spacious and logically laid out, it is one of the best in its class. New Car Test Drive says the Camry's cabin "offers a welcome counterpart to its exterior styling. While the outside has been touched with a splash of pizzazz, the inside has been brushed with shades of elegance." Some early reviewers of the 2010 model, however, have filed disturbing reports of interior build quality problems previously unheard of in a Toyota product. The car has been on the market a short time and has few reviews, so we don't yet know if those problems are common. Read More
Camry Safety - 8.7 (Very Good)
The 2010 Camry has not been crash-tested yet, but the mechanically similar 2009 model did well in both government and insurance industry crash tests. The Camry offers seven standard air bags, and new for 2010, stability control is now standard. Read More
Camry Reliability - 10.0 (Excellent)
The 2010 Toyota Camry reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2010 Toyota Camry is covered by a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty
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