Outside of the Toyota RAV4, the Camry is one of Toyota's best-selling vehicles in America. It first hit U.S. roads nearly 40 years ago, all the way back in 1983. Fast forward to the modern era and the eighth generation model based on the TNGA platform first broke cover back in 2018.
While Toyota’s popular mid-size sedan saw some significant upgrades along with a minor refresh for 2021 not much has changed for the 2022 model year. Despite plummeting sales numbers, thanks to the ever-increasing number of SUVs coming our way, the Camry continues to soldier on with 18 different variations that offer a good variety of drivetrains and powertrains that also includes Hybrid options.
2022 Toyota Camry Performance and Capability
The Toyota Camry is available in six trims
- LE
- SE
- SE Nightshade
- XLE
- XSE
- TRD
There are two powertrain choices for the Camry: The 2.5-liter mill that powers the first three trims produces 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. A more potent 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V-6 engine comes with the latter three grades and it is capable of 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. Both the V-6 and four-cylinder engines work with an eight-speed Toyota direct shift automatic transmission.
In addition, an optional all-wheel drive system is available for the four-cylinder, and can automatically send up to 50 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels to aid in maintaining grip in tricky situations.
Built on the tried-and-true TNGA platform, the Camry puts the driver in control with improved handling and overall ride comfort thanks to its wide stance and low center of gravity. A sport-tuned suspension and paddle shifters positioned on the leather-wrapped steering wheel are both standard on the SE and XSE grades.
The high-performance TRD grade, which also helps the Camry stand out, includes a track-tuned suspension system, heavier underbody bracing, larger 12.9-inch front brakes, and a special exhaust system.
As for gas mileage, the Camry's fuel efficiency will vary greatly depending on the powertrain you choose. The EPA has given the standard 2.5-liter front-wheel drive engine a rating of 28/39/32. The all-wheel drive reduces the figures to 25/34/29.
Exterior Design
The expressive style of the Camry tries to match its stellar performance with a bold appearance and this will vary depending on the grade you choose. What sets the Camry apart is the athleticism Toyota has conveyed brilliantly and this is particularly true for sportier trims in the lineup.
First, the gas and all-wheel drive grades of the LE and XLE grades have unique front fascia shapes, grille designs, and alloy wheel styles, while the SE and XSE grades have a more distinctive lower fascia shape honeycomb grille with the option of either 18- or 19-inch wheels, the lowest LE grade comes with 17-inch alloy wheels.
The Camry features fully integrated LED daytime running lights and optional LED headlights with black accents. Simple LED taillights in the Lexus style and a single exhaust tip make up the back.
While the other trims come equipped with a single exhaust tip, the XSE and TRD have two pipes. SE Nightshade also offers a seriously slick appearance with its black wheels and black trim, which includes accented door handles, mirror caps, and badging.
The top-tier TRD trim has a more dynamic appearance with an aggressive and larger intake grille and aerodynamic components. With 19-inch TRD matte black wheels that minimize unsprung weight and a glossy black aero kit with a prominent black rear spoiler that enhances high-speed stability, the Camry TRD’s functional elements also make for eye-catching looks.
Interior Quality and Technology
Despite having one of the largest cabins in the market, the quality of the interior suffers in the lesser trims of the Camry. Does that make a difference? No, it isn't the case at all; practically every other mid-size sedan in the market shares that feature.
One of the USPs of the Camry has historically been the comfort of the seats. Eight-way power adjustment is standard on the driver's seat, and if you pick the XLE, this feature is also available on the front passenger seat.
Starting with the soft-tex trimmed sports seats on SE grades and the leather-trimmed seating on XLE and XSE grades, the large driver-oriented interior of the Camry aims for elegance and sophistication but also delivers a great deal of comfort and convenience.
Additionally, the included dual-zone auto climate control allows drivers and passengers to select the ideal temperature in this spacious cabin. 38 inches of headroom and 38 inches of legroom are available in the back.
Coming to the cargo space, you’ll find about 15.1 cubic feet in the trunk, which is enough for daily use but is much less than the Accord's by 1.7 cubic feet and the Sonatas by almost one cubic feet.
The innovative look of the Camry leaves a lasting impression, but the technology really makes it all click. Toyota's Entune 3.0 infotainment contains a good amount of interesting capabilities. A six-speaker music system, Bluetooth streaming, a USB connection, and SiriusXM are all pre-configured as standard features, along with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connections.
While you can upgrade to the available 9.0-inch touchscreen with a nine-speaker JBL system with a subwoofer for more bass, the standard 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen allows drivers simple access to media controls right in line of sight.
Next, Amazon Alexa connectivity keeps the digital assistant close at hand, while Android Auto compatibility makes it simple for Android customers to stay hooked to Android devices. Even better, a standard three-month Sirius XM Platinum Plan trial subscription is available, giving listeners nationwide access to more than 300 radio channels.
Finally, the Camry offers a wide range of convenient technology and linked services, including a 10-inch head-up display, a 7.0-inch multi-information display, QI wireless smartphone charging, and much more.
2022 Toyota Camry Price and Availability
Prices for the base 2022 Toyota Camry LE start at $25,845, while the range-topping TRD Pro will set you back $32,910. It excludes the $1,025 delivery, processing, and handling fee. You can check out the Camry at your local Toyota dealer, while you can configure it here.
Safety
It goes without saying that the Toyota Camry takes safety very seriously, both inside and out, and as a result, the entire Camry lineup includes Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 Plus as part of standard equipment.
This cutting-edge collection of active safety technologies from Toyota provides improved features and functions like:
- Lane departure alert with steering assistance
- Pre-collision system
- Automatic high beams
- Tracing assistance and traffic sign assistance
- Dynamic radar cruise control lane
- Ten basic airbags
Every Camry also comes equipped with the Star Safety System, a comprehensive set of safety measures intended to help avoid accidents altogether. The Camry additionally provides optional safety features. Traffic alert, Intelligent clearance sonar with traffic braking, Blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and a bird's eye view camera.
In addition to having a ton of driver assistance technology as standard, the Camry has exceptional safety ratings, earning the "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS for 2022 and a maximum 5-star rating from the NHTSA.
Main Competition
The Camry is undoubtedly one of the most well-packaged midsize, affordable sedans available in the United States. Having said that, the competition in the mid-size sedan segment is quite strong, and recommending the Camry, just by demeaning the others wouldn’t be fair.
Although the latest Camry’s spec sheet is chock-full of great figures, should you choose it over the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, Honda Accord, or even the Nissan Altima? Here’s how the Camry compares to its primary rivals in terms of performance numbers.
The base engine is fairly powerful but the V-6 is an entity, that will fly past more expensive cars. While the AWD adds convenience, it does eat hamper the Camry’s gas mileage. On top of that rear-seat legroom isn’t on par with the class-leading Honda Accord.
To sum it up, the 2022 Toyota Camry is best described as an allrounder. Whole cabin materials and the onboard tech aren’t the best out there, you can expect everything to last a long time. The Camry has a strong lineage and plays on Toyota’s stupendous reliability credentials.