Used 2019 Toyota Camry XSE Sedan Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2019 Toyota Camry XSE Sedan.
Most helpful consumer reviews
The 2019 SXE V6 Version is Wonderful But Pricey
Jagness, Decatur, GA, 07/22/2019
2019 Toyota Camry XSE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
This is my 3rd Camry (along with '09 LE and '13 SE). I tested every trim level of '19 Camry and was forced to go with the 6-cylinder model (only available on the XSE and XLE trim) simply due to the lack of acceleration on the 4-cylinder models.
My subdivision exits to a busy roadway, especially congested during rush hour. A car that can accelerate quickly into a left and/or right turn … from a full stop is mandatory to take advantage of small openings in traffic and basic safety. Therefore, for me, the first and most important test of any car is how fast it can accelerate into a turn.
The entrance/exit to my local Toyota dealer is similar. If a car cannot zip into traffic with at least a moderate level of acceleration, I simply end the test drive right then and there. The 4 cylinder LE, SE, and XSE models hesitated and took way too long turning into the intersection from a full stop. Acceleration kicks in after the engine revs up to about 3K RPM, but it takes a scary long time to get there when you make the decision to jump into traffic.
I tried all three trim levels in normal mode and sports mode. While sports mode does feel more responsive, acceleration with the 4 cylinder engine was severely lacking.
Both my '09 and '13 Camrys (with standard 4-cylinder engines) have no problem passing this test, so it was a shock that a brand new 4-cylinder '19, especially XSE trim, failed miserably.
The salesperson then brought out a two-tone silver XSE with the 6-cylinder engine. I always liked the look of the XSE trim. Outside it is sporty and modern. Inside, it is sharp looking and comfortable. The double sun-roof was impressive.
With the 6-cylnder in ECO mode, acceleration was perfect from a standing stop, both into turns and straight ahead. Engine was quiet and smooth throughout, and never felt overburdened. Passing acceleration at highway speeds was willing and strong. The cabin is quiet inside and all seats are comfortable.
In ECO mode, I get about 26 MPG driving mostly city traffic. In Sport mode, acceleration is brisk and ready at all speeds - neck snapping most of the time. I prefer "normal" mode which is a nice balance of Sport and ECO.
All trim levels come with Apple Play which is great. The car came with three complementary Apple Lightning/USB plugs - a nice touch. I'm an iPhone user and the phone rests nicely in the wireless inductive charge pad. Unfortunately, Apple play only works with the USB plug connected. Apple Play doesn't work while the phone is wirelessly charging on the inductive pad even if the phone is connected via Bluetooth. While in Bluetooth mode, you have to use Toyota EnTune to get access to similar (but lower quality) apps.
The car doesn't have a standalone GPS system. You have to use a smartphone and connect it via USB or Bluetooth. If you connect your phone via Apple Play, the Apple Maps app becomes your GPS. If you connect via Bluetooth, you have to run EnTune and download an app called ScoutGPS.
The car comes with a built in Wi-Fi access point that uses Verizon cell service. You get a 90-day/2 GB complementary data plan for the Wi-Fi access point. My son loves it. He plays his Nintendo DS in the car and has Internet access through the car.
The V6 engine ballooned the cost of the car to over $34K, infringing on Toyota Avalon territory. For comparison, I also test drove a '19 Avalon XLE, but it wasn't as fast and didn't look as cool. It felt a bit dated. Also test drove a '19 Avalon Touring Edition which was very niiiice. Really considered moving up to the Avalon Touring but it was well above $45K. As much as I like Toyotas, it's hard to spend $45K for a sedan without a luxury-brand badge on it.
The two-tone XSE models look super sharp compared to every other Camry. The white/black exterior was my favorite but the dealer only had them with red interior which I found gaudy and tacky. My wife called it Pimp-Suit Red. I chose one with silver/black exterior and a nice gray/black leather interior. The 19" rims and low-profile tires are really sharp too. I fear they will cost a pretty penny when it comes time to replace them.
Was the V6 worth the almost $10K more it takes to get there? For me, yes it does. Sure, I'm driving a $30K+ Camry, but the car is beautiful, comfortable, and fast. It's a stealth rocket that doesn't back down in traffic when driving aggressively, and is pleasant to drive on long road trips.
UPDATE: After putting 10K miles on the car, it's still a joy to drive. My wife looks for any reason to "borrow" the car. The only issue I have with it is that the heater is very slow to warm up the car. When temperature drops below 40 degrees, it takes several minutes (more than 10) to heat up the car. In the low 30's the heater eventually warms the car, but never to the point where it is nice and toasty inside. Thankfully, the care came with heated front seats and they work great. While the heater is weak, the air conditioner works perfectly.
Good Solid choice
Kevin, Lumberton, NC, 11/05/2018
2019 Toyota Camry XSE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
Just purchased a week ago. Have taken 6 hour trip. Love the V-6 which is very smooth and powerful. The transmission does slightly jerk at times at low speeds and sometimes doesn't downshift when get on it to pass. Overall very nice combination. I wanted a V-6 for the smoothness and less maintenance than a turbo from the competitors. I'm 5'5" and the front seats do make my back … ache between the shoulder blades as the natural curve of the front seats rolls the shoulders inward. The infortainment system works fine with only one phone connected via Bluetooth (calls, links to phone book, Google Maps, Pandora, etc.). Salesman said not to connect more than one phone and do not use the cables to run the navigation via the Toyota app. You can use the charging ports in the armrest to fast charge phone without connecting to the navigation via the phone (connections front of console). All other portions of the care are great. I highly enjoy the vehicle and it provides the blend of comfort (except seats) sportiness and efficiency which I was looking for. Gas mileage aligns with window sticker. The car does have some rattles which I will need to take back to dealer for. I did not expect this in a Toyota.
Love my car!
New XSE V6 owner!, Manassas, VA, 01/26/2019
2019 Toyota Camry XSE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
This car is amazing in all ways!! Used as a daily commuter car, I can’t say anything bad about it. Style, comfort, room, even performance which is surprising for a camry... great get up and go punch! XSE V6 is the way to go! Nice looks, even a panoramic sunroof so the roof is black.. very eye catching with the white body. Red interior looks way better in person and the seats are as … comfortable as a Lexus in my opinion. Lots of luxury features in this car for 10-15k less than a luxury sedan.. all backed by great reliability numbers and quality. Smooth ride, good looks, affordable maintenance, comfort.. what could be better?
Camry XSE V6
David H, Dallas, TX, 09/05/2019
2019 Toyota Camry XSE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
I love this car. The engine and transmission are smooth, it has plenty of power and it is very quiet - even with the panoramic sunroof. My only issue with it is my own - I am 6’4” and about 240 pounds. The seat bolsters are a bit pronounced and this leads to a bit of discomfort for a bigger framed man. Nothing, however, that an extra seat cushion can’t easily handle. The leg room up … front is amazing - the most I have ever had in any vehicle. So much so that I - for once - don’t have to ride with the seat all the way back. I have already received many positive responses from friends and neighbors on the car. I chose the wind chill pearl (not two-tone) and it looks amazing. My wife - who is 5’2” loves how it adjusts to fit her frame better than our other cars and enjoys being able to have better visibility given the range of the seat height available. This one is a keeper.
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
Which Camry does Edmunds recommend?
Get the midlevel SE trim. The SE has a sport-tuned suspension for better handling. Don't worry about a stiff ride, though — the SE is still relatively comfortable on the road. The SE is also a good bargain considering all the safety and tech equipment you get for the money. Finally, the SE is available with a wide range of options, so you can pick and choose which ones are right for your budget.
Full Edmunds Review: 2019 Toyota Camry Sedan
Driving
7.5This 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.
Comfort
7.5The 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.
Interior
8.0The 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.
Utility
8.5As 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.
Technology
6.5All 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.
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2019 Toyota Camry in Virginia is:
$68.17 per month*Legal