Here’s Why You Should Buy a Pre-Owned Camry as Your Next Car

What’s the point of any car? To take you places. If a vehicle can’t move, then it can't do its job. That is why it is important to look for a reliable model, especially if you are shopping used. And when it comes to reliability, nothing beats a Toyota Camry for sale. The Toyota Camry is a sedan that proves itself through results and is one of the most flexible cars to shop for—finding a Camry based on your budget, wants, and needs is easy, thanks to decades of available models. The Camry you purchase will likely be the most reliable car you’ve owned.

Unmatched Longevity and Safety

The Toyota Camry is regarded as a reliable automobile because of its longevity. Toyota is a brand that relishes its unparalleled reliability, with many reputable publications reporting Toyota cars are among the best pre-owned vehicles. In 2023, Consumer Reports listed its 10 most reliable cars, and Toyota’s name appeared no fewer than seven times. The Toyota Camry was listed as number three, and the Camry Hybrid appeared as number two.

The Camry earning a reliability score of 86 out of 100 from Consumer Reports is not a coincidence—the rating stems from real-world drivers and Camry owners reporting their findings under real-world conditions. It’s not uncommon to hear about a Toyota Camry pushing over 250,000 miles on its odometer and performing as usual. Toyota engines are built to last, and their longevity is so impressive that you’ll find a handful of Camry generations on the roads today and working perfectly.

This reputation goes beyond mechanical reliability, with organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) producing safety reports that go beyond what the average driver will normally experience. For example, the IIHS conducts collision testing to reach its conclusions and award vehicles with deserved accolades. For the IIHS, the two accolades are the Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards. The Toyota Camry is no stranger to either, with the 2012, 2013, and 2014 models earning the Top Safety Pick award and eight consecutive Top Safety Pick+ awards for the 2015 through 2023 models. Collision tests prove the Camry is a durable vehicle, and furthering its reliability is standard Toyota Safety Sense in 2018 models and newer.

Great Performance and Excellent Fuel Efficiency

The Toyota Camry is one of the most fuel-efficient midsize sedans for sale. The Camry commonly finds a solid middle ground with practical performance and upgraded powertrains for those wanting more power. The amount of horsepower and torque your Camry outputs depends on the model you buy, as there have been several options over the years.

Cost-effective older models like the 2016 Camry output 178 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque out of its standard 2.5L I-4 engine. Fuel efficiency for the standard powertrain is great, with EPA-estimated ratings of 25 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. However, if you're willing to sacrifice a bit of fuel economy, you can enjoy 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque from its available 3.5L V6 engine. Conversely, you can opt for the available 2016 Camry Hybrid and enjoy an exceptional 42 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway.

You will find that the 2.5L I-4 engine in the 2016 Camry provides an enjoyable driving experience with its Sport mode. When the shifter is in drive, flicking it to the left activates Sport mode, which improves acceleration—great for merging onto the highway or giving you an extra kick when you want it. In Sport mode, you may also adjust gears up and down by pushing the shifter up or down—this feature is called Sequential Shift, and it gives automatic transmission drivers a more entertaining and hands-on driving experience, somewhat akin to a manual transmission.

Let’s fast forward a bit to the 2020 Camry. The 2020 Camry comes standard with a similar 2.5L I-4 engine, but standard performance increases to 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Like the 2016 model, the 2020 Camry has an available 3.5L V6 engine, but it outputs 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. Fuel efficiency is at another level with the upgraded powertrains—the 2.5L I-4 engine in the 2020 Camry has EPA-estimated ratings of 29 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway.

The Midsize Difference Is a Big One

The Camry is a midsize sedan, meaning it’s larger than Toyota’s other sedan, the Corolla. The Camry’s midsize design lends itself to a decent size, including terrific cargo space, headroom, legroom, and more. For example, the 2020 Camry has 15.1 cu.ft. of cargo space in its cavernous trunk—you won’t need to worry about fitting all of your bags of groceries back there or your luggage for a long trip.

In the front row, the 2020 Camry has 38.3 inches of headroom and 42.1 inches of legroom for you and the passenger beside you. Backseat passengers have a respectable 38 inches of headroom and legroom, which is close to the first-row dimensions. Owning a midsize sedan is great if you want a larger sedan than something like the Toyota Corolla or the Honda Civic.

Setting Yourself Up for the Future

Driving a Toyota Camry sets you up for the future by placing you behind the wheel of a vehicle slated to last for years. Aside from the longevity this car provides, the Camry also has many modern features. Nearly every new vehicle has features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which have become the one-size-fits-all solution to accessing music from your phone and using hands-free communication to send or receive phone calls and text messages.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto don’t make or break the full experience, but buying a pre-owned Camry with both gives you a modern experience at a fraction of the cost. You can find both options in many used Camry models—Apple CarPlay was introduced for the 2019 model, with Android Auto following the next year with the 2020 Camry.

First-time drivers should note that you don’t need an infotainment center to listen to music in your Camry. If you buy an older Camry, you can simply plug your phone in with an audio cable or USB. The Camry is fascinating because it’s an excellent choice for new and old drivers alike. Those shopping for their first car can buy an older Camry with more than enough life left in it and make it their vehicle for a great price. Or, if you’re a big fan of the Camry’s exceptional practicality, have been driving for years, and want something fresh, a newer model will provide everything you are looking for.

People Love the Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is one of the few names that show up time and time again when discussing the most reliable automobiles on the market. The Camry is built with thoughtfulness injected into each facet of its fundamental design and mechanical engineering, and it stands tall with the best-of-the-best midsize sedans. In real-world usage, drivers love the Camry, and if you keep it properly maintained, it’ll last you for years. With Camry models that are decades old still visible on streets worldwide, it’s not hard to see why a Camry should undoubtedly be your next vehicle.