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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2009 Toyota Camry

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Toyota Camry

Overview

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2009 Toyota Camry Review

By KBB.com Editors

Largely due to its solid reputation for quality and reliability, Toyota's midsize Camry has been the best-selling car in America for nine of the past ten years. Although the Honda Accord continues as the Camry's main rival, a host of new sedans, including the Mazda MAZDA6 and Chevrolet Malibu, threaten to chip away at the champion's throne. To keep ahead of the pack, the 2009 Toyota Camry remains one of the most style-conscious Camrys to date, with an abundance of interior room and marked improvements in the areas of steering, braking, handling and ride comfort (although in the sportier SE the tuning is biased more toward crisper handling response). Engine choices include a 158-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. There's also a hybrid model which is reviewed separately.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're you looking for a midsize sedan that offers outstanding quality, excellent resale value and a proven record of reliability – and you don't mind driving the same car as millions of other Americans – the 2009 Toyota Camry is for you.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking to stand out in a crowd, the Camry is not the car for you. You can find similar features and a more stylish package in such cars as the Mazda MAZDA6, Saturn Aura and even the equally abundant Honda Accord. All three of these models, by the way, also come standard with traction control, which is an extra cost option on the Camry.

What's New for 2009

The CE trim is now referred to as the Camry.

Driving the Camry

Driving Impressions The 2009 Toyota Camry drives much like most family sedans, not too sporty and not too soft. The base car tends toward the soft side, but the LE and XLE...

are crisper and more athletic. Most fun to drive, at least on smooth roads, is the lower and stiffer SE sport model, which has added structural bracing, firmer springs, shock absorbers, bushings and anti-roll bars, better steering feel and even an underbody aerodynamic treatment for enhanced high-speed stability. The latest Toyota four-cylinder engine provides adequate power with good fuel economy, while the muscular V6 is a powerhouse, good for a zero to 60-miles-per-hour burst in less than seven seconds.

Favorite Features

Plasmacluster Ionizer HVAC
According to Toyota, the dual-zone automatic climate system standard on the XLE and Hybrid reduces airborne odors, mold spores, microbes, fungi, germs and bacteria inside the cabin by creating positive and negative ions that seek out and surround them.

Star Safety System
The standard integrated braking system includes ABS, Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Seven airbags are also standard, but Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction control is optional.

2009 Toyota Camry Details

Interior

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.

Exterior

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 Equipment

Standard 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).

Optional Equipment

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).

Under the Hood

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

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Toyota Camry vehicles for sale near you.

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2009 Toyota Camry Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.5

Out of 10

Based on 1353 Ratings for the 2007 - 2011 models.

Review this car

Value

8.7/10

Quality

8.7/10
Reliability

9.0/10

Performance

8.6/10
Comfort

8.8/10

Styling

8.8/10

Good family car,

By Rene on Wednesday, May 08, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 39,800

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Good retail value"

Cons: "Seat problem mentioned"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7

"Great car. Only problem is for a short person like me you have to put the seat all the way up. The way the door and body are designed, I hit my head going in and out. My son has a '99 Camry and this problem is not an issue in his car."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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air noise, bad sound system, soft ride, raddles

By Pete (VA) on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 38,500

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 4/10
Performance: 4/10
Styling: 4/10
Comfort: 5/10

Pros: "good highway MPG"

Cons: "see below"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 4

"own an 04 camry --it is much more quiet, softer ride, better handling, better quality--would not buy 2010 again, disappointed in air noise, dash rattles, handling"

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Really like my car.

By LouLou (TX) on Saturday, April 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 56,066

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Like the body style, size, ease of handling."

Cons: "Ample leg room in front and back."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I was offered an early lease termination(I had leased a 2009 Toyota Corolla)and was offered this pre-owned certified vehicle.I like the body style. I like the way the car handles. I really like the size--not too big, not too small."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Excellent car. Fast take off. Comfort and ease.

By snowwhite (FL) on Tuesday, April 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 49,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I am very happy and satified with my car. Great mileage, a pleasure to drive. Low maintenance. Looks great. Keeps a spotless appearance. Fast start up, fast get away. Very comfortable to drive. not for sale. It's a keeper."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Great Car for everyday use

By Ira (NY) on Thursday, April 04, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 23,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "reliability , comfort, handling"

Cons: "None to speak of"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"The Toyota Camry XLE V6 is just a super reliable car. I came from a Lexus ES 350 and it is almost as nice as driving the Lexus - With the V6 the power is great and the ride is super smooth. I am looking to get the next model and pass this one to my daughter. Even better Toyota offered 0% financing for 60 months. So how can you beat free money. I hope I can score the same deal on the new model. I haven't begun looking yet, but if the process goes as easy as the first car, I am looking forward to it. I originally looked at the same vehicle with the 4 Cylinder but after driving the V6 and seeing the MPG on the sticker, I couldn't resist. I average almost 33 MPG on the highway and 25 MPG around town. All this and it runs on Regular gas, which the Lexus did not. Also Toyota gives you free service for 2 years so the car is a dream to own. Now I know why its the best selling car in the USA."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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I love this car! I have had two accidents .

By Ron (MO) on Thursday, April 04, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 14,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "yes nice to drive"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I would buy this car again. It has blind side detector which is life saver. I have got over 40 MPG, but one must drive correctly with the correct conditions, Tail wind helps."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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See all 1353 reviews