2009 Toyota Camry 4-door LE Sedan

Like the exterior, the Camry's interior is more modern and stylish than in past versions. The windshield base is far forward, allowing for a low two-tier instrument panel. The seatbacks feature a slimmed-down design and front-seat adjustment travel is generous. The Camry's interior measurements equal or in some cases better those of the Honda Accord, offering more rear seat head room and legroom, and on XLE trims, a reclining rear seatback. Instruments are large and legible, with differing illumination depending on the trim level. The controls are easy to read and operate, storage cubbies are plentiful and there are two 12-volt outlets in the console.

The 2009 Toyota Camry's appearance is a departure from the upright styles of previous generations. Sharing Toyota's swoopier new sedan look with its larger stablemate Avalon and upscale cousin Lexus ES, the Camry's length is unchanged, but its stance is more stable with its wheels pushed farther toward the corners. Its hood, flanks and decklid surfaces have a complexity and character not seen in previous Camrys, and its headlights are the high-tech projector-beam style. Toyota calls the Camry "athletic and modern," and we don't disagree, although the sporty SE, with its lower ride height on bigger wheels and tires, black honeycomb grille, smoked headlamps and aero appendages, looks much more athletic than the other models.

Notable Standard Equipment

Notable Optional Equipment

The base Camry offers power mirrors/locks/windows, air conditioning with a pollen filter, cruise control, tilt/telescopic wheel, auto on/off halogen headlamps, daytime running lights, 60/40-split fold-down rear seat, 16-inch wheels and six-speaker 160-watt digital audio with CD-MP3 and auxiliary input jack. Standard safety features include Toyota's Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) seats, four-wheel disc brakes with Antilock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist and seven air bags. The uplevel LE adds an eight-way power driver's seat, remote keyless entry and the option of a V6 engine. The top-level XLE adds alloy wheels, 440-watt eight-speaker premium audio with six-disc CD and Bluetooth, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather interior (V6 only), wood-grain trim, a power moonroof, four-way power passenger's seat and a 40/20/40 reclining rear seat (with fixed center pass-through).

Probably to encourage buyers to move up to other models, the only substantial option available on the base Camry is the highly recommended Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction control, which is also available on LE, SE and XLE. Additional major options for most of these models include a JBL premium audio system with Bluetooth, power moonroof, leather interior, heated seats, navigation system and the "Smart Key System" with push-button start (on the XLE with V6).

The 2008 Toyota Camry features a standard DOHC 16-valve 2.4-liter Variable Valve Timing "with intelligence" (VVT-i) four-cylinder engine and an optional new DOHC 24-valve VVT-i V6. The Hybrid model marries a 147-horsepower Atkinson-cycle version of the four-cylinder to a 40-horsepower electric motor.

2.4-liter in-line 4
158 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
161 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/31 (manual), 21/31 (automatic)

3.5-liter V6
268 horsepower @ 6200 rpm
248 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/28

2.4-liter in-line 4 with Permanent Magnetic Synchronous Electric Motor
147 horsepower @ 6000 rpm / 40 horsepower @ 4500 rpm (187 combined horsepower)
138 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm / 199 lb.-ft. of torque @ 0-1500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 33/34