2021 Toyota Camry Informative Car Review

Toyota Camry

Overview

The Toyota Camry has come full circle, regaining its prestigious and sought after title of a great family sedan. With features that make it stand out in an increasingly competitive market, the Camry truly is one of the best options available; if not for Honda's Accord dynasty, then it would be even more desirable!

One of the major reasons for its immense popularity is the variety of powertrain options it offers. You can choose from a fuel efficient four cylinder, an economical hybrid option and a powerful V-6 engine. For those seeking to get behind the wheel of something fun, you should consider opting for the sport tuned TRD model – it will show you just how enjoyable this vehicle can be! Furthermore, if all you are looking for is comfort and style in your family sedan along with driver assists and popular features galore then 2021 Camry won't disappoint either.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Although the standard four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission is a great combination, unfortunately its acceleration numbers are not impressive. The Camry hybrid holds a less powerful version of the same engine and two electric motors providing no additional thrill to drive. However, if you're seeking more power, then the 301 horsepower V6 available on XLE, XSE models and TRD variant certainly packs a punch! With this top level model enjoying heavenly smoothness in every ride - there's nothing quite like it!

In addition, we can happily report that driving the Camry is no longer a chore. The ride feels balanced and surprisingly agile when turning corners or navigating through parking lots - credit for this goes to its appropriately weighted steering wheel. Additionally, you won't find yourself struggling with an overly squishy brake pedal; it's quite responsive in both normal cars and hybrids (which incorporate regenerative braking technology). Though be warned: at low speeds, the hybrid’s brakes are especially sensitive which could lead to some jerk-stop maneuvers in tight spaces.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The whole Camry lineup performed extremely well in the EPA's tests, and a four-cylinder model did brilliantly in our real-world highway testing. The most efficient nonhybrid Camry models are the LE and SE with the four-cylinder engine, which earned EPA estimates of 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway; the base LE hybrid earned ratings of 51 mpg city and 53 mpg highway. The hybrid's upper trims sacrifice some efficiency at the altar of luxury, however, and models powered by the V-6 earned ratings of 22 mpg city and and up to 33 mpg highway. A four-cylinder Camry SE returned 45 mpg in our highway test, beating its own EPA rating by 6 mpg—and making it the most economical nonhybrid car we've ever tested. It even beat the Camry XLE hybrid we tested by 1 mpg.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2021 Camry earned a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). We continue to applaud Toyota's decision to make driver-assistance technology standard across its lineup.

Is Toyota Camry a reliable car?

The Camry is known for being a safe, affordable, fuel-efficient and reliable car. Not all buyers want to buy a new model, though. Some car shoppers prefer to shop used or pre-owned models. Prices for used models can fluctuate based on the mileage, age and condition.

Which year Camry is best?

The best Toyota Camry model years are 2023, 2022, 2021, 2017, 2016, 2013, 2006, and 2001. The worst model years of the Camry are 2018, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, and 2002. This is based on auto industry reviews, NHTSA stats, reported problems, and consumer feedback.

What year did Toyota Camry have problems?

The 2007 model is on the top of the list for Toyota Camry years to avoid, simply because it has the most problems. One of the most significant complaints, according to RepairPal, is issues with the automatic transmission.