Used 2019 Toyota Camry

Fresh from its debut last year, the 8th-generation 2019 Toyota Camry remains one of the most impressive, most value-laden cars you can buy. After years of cautious styling, the Camry finally emerges as a sexy, sporty sedan ready to take on all comers. The changes may have come too late, however, as more Americans move away from sedans and into SUVs. Still, for those shopping the family-sedan market, the Camry is now every bit as attractive as the Honda Accord, Kia Optima and new Nissan Altima. Available V6 and hybrid engines are a bonus, as are the Camry’s standard driver-assist features that remain optional on some competitors. Regrettably, while Apple CarPlay is now standard, Android Auto is nowhere to be found.

For as long as we can remember, the Toyota Camry has been comfortable and compliant, but not exactly invigorating to drive. It was essentially the vanilla ice cream of family sedans. That all changed with last year’s remake. A double-wishbone rear suspension, lower center of gravity and stiffer body structure with a 30-percent increase in torsional rigidity translate to a more dynamic and ultimately fun-to-drive experience. The 2019 Camry feels tauter than the previous-generation car, and the steering is more precise. The new 8-speed automatic transmission is a solid partner and in some models can even be shifted via paddles. The standard 4-cylinder engine that powers the majority of Camrys will suffice for most buyers and has a satisfying blend of performance and efficiency. The optional V6 making over 300 horsepower can easily chirp the front tires. Our surprise favorite is the Camry Hybrid (see Favorite Features).

The 2019 Camry has a modern interior with a boldly designed dash composed of asymmetrical swoops and curves, a set of nicely bolstered front bucket seats and a spacious rear seat. Controls are straightforward and easy to use, backlit at night in a soothing blue light with overhead white LEDs. Redundant controls on the steering wheel mean you’ll rarely have to use your hands to control the audio, and the big 7- and 8-inch touch-screen infotainment systems are bright and easy to operate. Base models get one USB port, while more expensive versions get three. Options like a huge 10-inch head-up display further distance the Camry from its competition.

Toyota continues to up its game with the Camry’s exterior style, and this newest model is its most daring yet. From front to back, the 2019 Camry aims to show off its dynamic athleticism and attitude. Its large front grille is hard to miss, and the Camry’s sleek low aluminum hood shows off interesting creases. One of the most surprising features is found on the sporty XSE models, which boast four — count ’em, four! — chrome exhaust tips. One of the most distinguishing style elements is the 2-tone Midnight Black Metallic roof, also only available on XSE models.

CAMRY HYBRID
The Camry Hybrid is the king of its castle, being the first midsize-hybrid sedan to break the 50-mpg barrier, with the current 2019 version earning a combined 52-mpg rating from the EPA. That beats the Honda Accord Hybrid, Kia Optima Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid by a country mile.

TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE P (TSS-P)
While features like adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams are still optional on some competitors, they’re part of the 2019 Toyota Camry’s standard Toyota Safety Sense system. Also along for the ride are collision warning and emergency braking, pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning with steering assist.

The 2019 Camry’s lineup consists of L, LE, SE, XSE and XLE, with SE and XSE the sportier pair. The least expensive 2019 Toyota Camry L is a solid buy that includes automatic transmission, 6-way-manually adjustable front seats, the TSS-P suite of safety and driving aids, and an infotainment system that bundles a rearview camera and 6-speaker AM/FM audio system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and USB/auxiliary inputs. For $500 more, we recommend the LE as it includes a power driver’s seat, 60/40-split folding rear seats, alarm system and 17-inch alloy wheels. Toyota Care (two years/25,000 miles of complimentary maintenance and 24/7 roadside assistance) is standard.

SE models have sportier exterior aesthetics, 18-inch wheels, paddle shifters, sport front seats and sport-tuned suspension. XSE and XLE models have dual-zone climate control, 7-inch configurable instrument display and 8-inch central touch screen, leather seats, selectable drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport), blind-spot monitoring, panoramic glass roof with moonroof, and electric parking brake. Among the various options are JBL premium audio system with navigation, bird’s-eye camera, Qi-compatible wireless phone-charging cradle and head-up display. The standard Entune 3.0 infotainment system has built-in Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay, Siri Eyes Free and Google voice control.

The 2019 Toyota Camry offers a choice of three recently revamped powertrains. Most popular is the standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boasting 203 horsepower (206 in XSE models) and earning up to 41 mpg. The most powerful Camry is the 301-horsepower V6. Both of those engines are mated to a new 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2019 Camry Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and a battery-powered electric motor for enviable fuel economy of up to 53 mpg. Camry Hybrid LE models actually use a pricier lithium-ion pack, while the higher-trim Camry Hybrid SE and XLE variants use a nickel-metal hydride battery. Toyota reps say the rationale for this has to do with fuel-efficiency goals and pricing strategy. All Camrys are front-wheel drive.

2.5-liter inline-4
203 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm
184 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 29/41 mpg (L), 28/39 mpg (LE, SE, XLE, XSE)

3.5-liter V6
301 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm
267 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/33 mpg (V6 XLE), 22/32 mpg (V6 XSE)

2.5-liter inline-4 gasoline-electric hybrid
208 horsepower total
Total torque output: NA
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 51/53 mpg (Hybrid LE), 44/47 mpg (Hybrid SE, XLE)

Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.

We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.

Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.

Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)

We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.