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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 1362 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

I would buy this car ten times over... But........

By SupermanShiffler (ID) on Saturday, June 15, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 175,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "175000 miles with no repairs, great MPG in summer"

Cons: "Little room and poor cosmetic quality"

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

"I had serious reservations to buying this car. I don't like to buy newer cars, don't like all the electronics, HYBRID? NO!!! That being said, I am so glad we bought this car in the end. It's a Hybrid so I'll start with MPG. Summer is AMAZING! Winter leaves me wanting. Summer I am getting 40 MPG no problem, that is even with my fast acceleration driving style. But the winter messes with the battery technology and leaves you wishing you lived in a much warmer environment and that the oil company didn't change the fuel. When it comes to the quality of the drive, the handling is superb! I have had one or two scetchy situations where I would've been dead in any other car I've ever driven. The acceleration does not disappoint the way I was worried it would. I outrun ricers all the time who then cry past telling me I'm number one. Overall I bought this car for the safety though. There are very few cars that are safer than this. Lastly comes the cons. Very little room if you want to do any kind of traveling (although I have fit 5 overflowing carts of groceries in the trunk and backseat while still keeping room for a car seat). And the plastic exterior has busted in two places just from the weight of the snow in the winters here. Overall I recommend this car to anyone. 175000 miles and not one mechanical problem to report. Brilliant piece of machinery."

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worst vehicle ever

By kgurien (FL) on Sunday, June 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 100,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: Not Rated
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: Not Rated
Performance: Not Rated
Styling: Not Rated
Comfort: Not Rated

Pros: "impressed by the name"

Cons: "Consumers should be smart enough to do won researc"

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

"continued brake noise , pad replacement. Replaced warped rotors at 60000 miles. Took to the dealer for noise and replaced front ball bearings, bad water pump. Consumer report list the car on "do not buy" list. I spent about 3000 dollars before 100000 miles. Although I got recalls for floor mat causing accidental acceleration, I could not find any issue with my car. Probably will consider many other makes including American made cars that would not cost much money for fix up before 100000 miles. I am surprised that People who do the ratings like Kelly blue book do not know these problems. I never reported my problem to Consumer report although I am a subscriber."

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worst vehicle ever

By kgurien (FL) on Sunday, June 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 100,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: Not Rated
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: Not Rated
Performance: Not Rated
Styling: Not Rated
Comfort: Not Rated

Pros: "impressed by the name"

Cons: "Consumers should be smart enough to do won researc"

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

1 person out of 2 found this review helpful

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Have the XLE Edition .....Just love this car

By dannyboy (NC) on Friday, June 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 39,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Reliable...so many on road, get lost in the herd"

Cons: "Paid almost 30k in 2009 & dealer ONLY offered 14k"

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

"I've had a couple of Camry's, you can ALWAYS depend on their being reliable. I am ONLY getting rid of this car so I can get into the Avalon, which is the one car that I've lusted after for so many years. After having taken a demo drive, I'm impressed with the Avalon, BUT, one thing I am NOT happy with the new Avalon is the back seat is not as large or sumptuous as the previous years models, they've cut that size down quite a bit. Also, the on-board GPS/Info screen is at an angle to where the sun, or bright skies, almost blocks out reading the screen. I noticed that when the salesperson initially got behind the wheel to take me for the test drive, he immediately reached up & pulled the sun roof closed....he did that for the reason I am referring to so it appears the dash designers go thru with something that was not spotted by the company. All-in-all, I'm impressed with the Avalon...."

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comfortable cruiser

By petras (IN) on Friday, May 31, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 25,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "economical, dependable, comfortable transportation"

Cons: "none"

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

"After 25000 miles in a variety of driving conditions, I am happy to report that this car is dependable, economical, and comfortable to drive. If you want something that stands out or is sporty to drive, look elsewhere. I've seen as much as 39 mpg on the highway and the 4cyl. engine has adequate power for most people's needs. Interior shows some minor misaligned panels and is constructed of too much plastic and not enough softer touch materials but I can live with that. I also ordered mine with the hard to find optional jbl sound system which I highly recommend. Overall I would buy this car again."

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Fantastic Car!

By Sandy (MA) on Friday, May 31, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 86,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Great gas mileage for family sedan"

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

"Purchased 2007 Camry Hybrid with 45k on it. Now have 86k and I have to say I am in love with this car. I usually do not feel strongly about cars, but this car is truly a dream to own. I get 40 mpg during spring and summer months driving it like a Hybrid. The comfort of the seating is outstanding. I have never had a car that was so comfortable to travel in. The sound system is fantastic and the Bluetooth works well. Have had one repair in replacing the water pump, but beyond that, just regular maintenance. Only negative is the car does creak a bit when the weather is very cold...seems as of the dash plastic shrinks and has some movement. I just turn the radio up. Overall, a great car!"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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