Used 2016 Toyota Camry

A midsize car boasting a long-standing reputation for reliability, the 2016 Camry isn’t the most exciting vehicle in its class, but that’s partly due to its utter ubiquity.

The best-selling car in America for many years, the Camry is commonplace, and a bit boring. But the car’s popularity also means there are plenty of them on the used-car market. And that translates into greater selection for a used-car buyer.

Better yet, Toyota refreshed the Camry for 2015, and did not redesign the car until 2018. Therefore, you can cross-shop a 2016 Camry with both the 2015 and 2017 models, further expanding the possibility that you’ll find the right car for you. As a result, you should have no problem finding one that’s in good condition and equipped just the way you want it — unless you’re seeking the limited-production SE Special Edition.

When shopping for a used Toyota Camry, you’ll find the 4-cylinder model in LE, SE, SE Special Edition, XLE and XSE trim levels. A V6 engine was offered only with XLE and XSE trims. Hybrids came in LE, SE and XLE trim levels.

In the midsize-sedan category, there are several alternatives to the Camry. They include the KBB Best Buy winner of that model year, the 2016 Kia Optima, as well as finalists like the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, 2016 Honda Accord, 2016 Hyundai Sonata and 2016 Mazda Mazda6.

When choosing a 2016 Toyota Camry, you first need to decide whether you prefer a softer, cushier ride quality or a stiffer, sportier driving experience. If the former, find yourself an LE or XLE. If the latter, you’ll be happier in an SE or XSE.

From there, you’ll need to determine whether affordability, speed or efficiency is most important to you. You’ll find great deals on Camrys with the standard 4-cylinder engine, because this engine was so popular when the car was new. The V6 engine, only available with XLE and XSE trims, supplies lively performance but comes at a premium. The Camry Hybrid returns effortlessly impressive gas mileage, and may also cost a bit more.

Each of these different variants has a unique driving character so if you’re not sure what’s going to work best for you, test-drive all combinations if possible.

How fast is the Toyota Camry?
Get a Camry XLE V6 or XSE V6, and this midsize sedan is mighty quick, accelerating to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds. You’ll rarely wish for more performance.

The standard 4-cylinder engine is adequate, especially if your expectations are low. The 6-speed automatic transmission is geared to mask this engine’s inherent lack of power, helping to satisfy drivers who aren’t requesting much in terms of acceleration.

The Camry Hybrid’s electric motor delivers a healthy punch of torque right off the line, making it feel responsive in traffic and urban driving situations despite its extra 245 pounds of curb weight. However, this powertrain uses an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT), and it drones under harder acceleration. That’s irritating.

Does the Toyota Camry get good gas mileage?
In hybrid format, the Camry effortlessly delivers the gas mileage of a small city car in a midsize package. In combination with the large 17-gallon fuel tank, you’ll enjoy infrequent stops at the gas station.

The standard 4-cylinder engine’s fuel economy is unremarkable, and because this engine works harder in the real world than it does during the EPA testing cycle, it might ultimately disappoint. Expect it to consume more fuel than the official fuel-economy ratings suggest.

Because it has plenty of power, the V6 engine doesn’t need to work as hard as the 4-cylinder. While it still won’t match the standard 4-cylinder in terms of efficiency, the difference between the two is insubstantial enough that we recommend the upgrade to the V6.

How does the Toyota Camry handle?
If athletic handling is important to you, choose the Camry SE or XSE. These versions have larger wheels and tires than the LE and XLE, as well as a sport-tuned suspension. Toyota also added structural braces under the hood and in the trunk to help make the car stiffer and more responsive. The downside, of course, is a firmer and busier ride quality.

With the 4-cylinder engine, the Camry SE and XSE carry less weight over the front wheels, sharpening handling to a small degree. With the V6, you get more speed but at a cost of added weight over the front end.

Note that the Camry Hybrid SE does have the standard SE’s sport suspension, but does not have the extra structural bracing. Also, thanks to the added weight of the electric motor and battery pack, the Hybrid SE’s center of gravity is lower, helping to make it feel more hunkered down on the road.

How does the Toyota Camry ride on the highway?
If a comfortable and cushy ride is important to you, choose the Camry LE or XLE. With softer suspension tuning and without added structural bracing, these versions of the car do a better job of soaking up ruts and bumps. Plus, the LE and XLE have smaller wheels wearing all-season tires with thicker sidewalls, further helping in the ride quality department.

The downside, of course, is mushier handling and more body motion over uneven pavement. These versions of the Camry aren’t quite sloppy, but neither are they anywhere close to engaging. Drink coffee before driving them.

For the quietest Camry, you’ll want the XLE V6, which has an acoustic laminated windshield that helps to reduce wind noise.

Are the Toyota Camry’s driving-assistance systems helpful?
During testing of a Camry XSE V6 with the optional Technology Package, the elements of the car’s advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS) that we could sample proved helpful with the exception of the lane-departure warning system. It quickly wears on your patience, beeping loudly and insistently with every line-crossing infraction. In turn, this prompts you to shut it off.

Is the Toyota Camry fun to drive?
If you get the Camry SE or XSE, the car is more fun to drive than the LE or XLE. And if you further upgrade to the XSE V6, the Camry is more enjoyable to rip around in than you’d ever expect. But does it encourage taking the long way home? Not really. Mainly, it’s just fast.

Equipped with a layered dashboard design separated by a center control panel that sweeps down into the center console, the 2016 Camry blends form with function. By today’s standards, the touch-screen displays are small and lack sophistication, but otherwise the cabin remains modern in look and feel.

Does the Toyota Camry have a nice interior?
For 2015, Toyota upgraded the Camry’s interior materials, and those improvements are evident in the 2016 version. However, like many of its competitors, the lower portions of the cabin are covered with inexpensive plastic panels that have a glossy finish and are easily scuffed and scratched.

The Camry LE is the worst offender. Moving up the trim-level ladder, the car adds nicer trim accents, exposed seat and steering-wheel stitching, and higher-quality seat upholstery. The SE Special Edition is especially appealing, but only if you really like the color blue.

What Toyota Camry interior colors are available?
For the greatest variety of interior colors, look no further than a Camry LE or XLE. These trim levels offered Black, Ash (gray) or Almond (beige) cabins dressed in fabric or leather upholstery.

The SE and XSE trims restrict buyers to Black or Ash. Neither includes full leather seats. The SE trim has sport fabric inserts and synthetic leather bolsters, while the XSE includes simulated-suede inserts and leather bolsters.

As part of what makes it special, the SE Special Edition came only in Black with blue seat inserts.

Are the Toyota Camry’s controls easy to use?
Featuring large knobs and buttons with clear and legible markings, the Camry’s primary controls are exceptionally easy to use. Big gauges and logical locations for secondary switchgear make the car easy to understand and drive.

Is the Toyota Camry’s infotainment system easy to use?
Small screen sizes and frequent glare can make the Camry’s infotainment system harder to use than those in some competing models. It doesn’t help that the technology sometimes lags, and that the virtual buttons require a distracting amount of precision to accurately activate while you’re driving — especially on less than perfectly smooth pavement.

We recommend getting all of the system’s functions set to your preferences, and then using the hard controls on the dashboard and steering wheel as often as possible. By the standards of the time, the voice-command system works reasonably well, too. Just don’t expect natural recognition along the lines of modern smartphones and digital home assistants.

Is the Toyota Camry comfortable?
The 2016 Camry is quite comfortable for drivers. The power adjustable driver’s seat and the tilt/telescopic steering wheel make it easy to find the right position behind the steering wheel, and the padding on the center console armrest and door panels is elbow-friendly.

Toyota did not offer a height-adjustable front-passenger’s seat for any version of the 2016 Camry. Normally, this counts as a demerit against any vehicle, but the seat is mounted high enough off the floor to provide decent thigh support and a good view out. Still, height adjustment is important so that older passengers have an easier time with vehicle entry and exit.

In back, the Camry’s rear seat is roomy enough for adults to ride without compromise.

Is the Toyota Camry’s trunk useful?
Equipped with a 15.4-cubic-foot trunk, the Camry’s cargo hold is typical of a midsize family sedan. Split-folding rear seats are standard, adding utility to the car.

One downside to choosing the Camry Hybrid is the car’s smaller trunk. The battery pack takes up some of the space, so maximum volume measures 13.1 cubic feet. That’s on par with a typical compact sedan, though, so the space is still useful.

What else should I know about the Toyota Camry?
Toyota was not shy about selling Camrys to rental-car companies, business fleets and other entities. If you prefer to avoid used examples that started life in these environments, perform a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check to get a sense of a specific car’s history.

For the 2015 model year, Toyota re-skinned the Camry, which had been previously redesigned for 2012. Every body panel except for the roof and greenhouse went under the stylist’s knife, resulting in a sleeker and softer appearance. In spite of this effort, however, the Camry still isn’t what you might characterize as appealing.

Adoption of Toyota’s gape-mounted grille designs and an awkward rear roof-pillar trim treatment come across as visual tricks rather than genuinely cohesive design. Especially in comparison to more stylish competitors such as the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Kia Optima, Mazda Mazda6 and Volkswagen Passat, the 2016 Camry relied on its reputation for reliability more than its appearance in order to sell.

At a minimum, you’ll want to upgrade to SE or XLE trim for their larger and more appealing aluminum wheels. Between the two, we find the SE/XSE mesh grille insert more attractive than the horizontal slats of the LE/XLE. Plus, the sportier Camrys have a tasteful lip spoiler for extra character.

What 2016 Toyota Camry colors are available?
Toyota offered 10 paint colors for the 2016 Camry. They are listed below:

Super White
Celestial Silver
Cosmic Gray
Predawn Gray
Midnight Black
Crème Brulee
Parisian Night
Blue Crush
Blue Streak (Special Edition only)
Blizzard Pearl (Special Edition only)

V6 ENGINE
Available as an option with XLE and XSE trims, Toyota’s 3.5-liter V6 engine provides plenty of refined power. It makes 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque, but feels much stronger than that from behind the steering wheel. Acceleration is effortless, and in our testing this engine averaged 22.9 mpg in spite of heavy feet on the go pedal.

HYBRID POWERTRAIN
Going fast is fun, but so is skipping past gas stations. With EPA fuel-economy ratings of up to 40 mpg in combined driving and a 17-gallon gas tank, a Camry Hybrid can travel 680 miles or more between fill-ups. And with 200 horsepower on tap, it has no trouble keeping up in traffic.

SCOUT GPS-CONNECTED NAVIGATION APP
In the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, the 2016 Camry’s mid-level Entune Audio Plus infotainment system came with Scout GPS-connected navigation. Basically, you pay for the app, download it to your phone, connect the phone via the USB port, and it runs on your data plan.

SAFETY CONNECT SERVICE
Offered exclusively in the Camry XLE, Safety Connect is a subscription-based service that provides automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and other safety- and security-related functions. While it is a favorite feature of ours, Toyota deserves criticism for limiting this potentially life-saving feature to the XLE trim.

WIRELESS SMARTPHONE CHARGING
Available for all but the Camry LE, Toyota’s Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging pad makes it easy keep your device charged up while you’re commuting and road-tripping.

Toyota sold the 2016 Camry in LE, SE, SE Special Edition, XLE, XLE V6, XSE and XSE V6 trim levels. The 2016 Camry Hybrid came in LE, SE and XLE trims. Below, we define the major differences between each version of the car.

What comes in the 2016 Toyota Camry LE?
Think of the Camry LE as the version that gives you everything you really need, and nothing you don’t.

It looks basic, inside and out, but does come with power heated side mirrors, power windows, power door locks, and an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Add cloth seats, air conditioning, cruise control and a 6.1-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Bluetooth and Siri Eyes Free, and you might not want more.

But get more you will if you choose the Camry Hybrid LE. It includes Toyota’s Optitron instrumentation and lighting, a passive keyless-entry system, push-button engine starting, and dual-zone automatic climate control. But it still has a basic look and feel.

What comes in the 2016 Toyota Camry XLE?
For a more upscale vibe, get the Camry XLE. It has leather seats, fake-wood trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, and rear air-conditioning vents. A bigger 7-inch infotainment system upgrades the infotainment system, which includes satellite radio, HD Radio and a Scout GPS-connected navigation app that uses your smartphone’s data plan to provide directions.

The XLE also gets a snazzier look on the outside. Bigger 17-inch aluminum wheels with a shiny finish are standard, along with LED running lights. If you get a Camry XLE V6, it has LED headlights, a power sunroof and dual-exhaust outlets.

Inside, the XLE V6 receives another infotainment-system upgrade, adding an embedded navigation system and Toyota’s Entune App Suite technology. Acoustic windshield glass makes the cabin a little quieter, and the XLE V6 has additional convenience features including an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a programmable garage-door opener.

What comes in the 2016 Toyota Camry SE?
If you prefer a sporty look and feel, choose the Camry SE instead of the Camry LE. It’s outfitted like the LE but adds 17-inch aluminum wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, and front and rear structural bracing.

Unique interior trim and Optitron instrumentation inject a little excitement, along with seat upholstery blending sport cloth inserts with simulated-leather bolsters. A leather-wrapped steering wheel includes transmission paddle shifters.

The Camry Hybrid SE is just like it, but without the paddle shifters, front-strut tower brace, and rear trunk brace.

What comes in the 2016 Toyota Camry SE Special Edition?
You’ll find the SE Special Edition only in exclusive Blizzard Pearl or Blue Streak paint with a unique set of 18-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the SE Special Edition has blue instrumentation lighting, blue seat inserts and blue interior trim. Upgraded floor mats and Special Edition identifiers complete the look.

From the more expensive XSE trim, the SE Special Edition features an upgraded infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a Scout GPS-connected navigation app. Additionally, the SE Special Edition has a handful of items from the XSE V6 model, including a power sunroof, passive keyless entry and push-button engine starting.

Toyota made 12,000 examples of the 2016 Camry SE Special Edition.

What comes in the 2016 Toyota Camry XSE?
The sportiest version of the Camry, the XSE trim wears 18-inch aluminum wheels with performance-oriented tires. Inside, sport seats with bigger leather bolsters and simulated Ultrasuede inserts give the Camry XSE a more purposeful look and feel.

Equipment includes dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and rear air-conditioning vents so that rear passengers can better keep their cool. The upgraded infotainment system equips the Camry XSE with a 7-inch touch-screen display, satellite radio, HD Radio and a Scout GPS-connected navigation app.

With the available V6 engine, the XSE swaps the connected navigation system for an embedded navigation system. Toyota’s Entune App Suite technology also comes along for the ride, and the XSE V6 features passive keyless entry, push-button engine starting, a power sunroof, and cabin-quieting acoustic windshield glass. Dual exhaust outlets, LED headlights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a programmable garage-door opener complete the XSE V6’s roster of equipment.

More affordable versions of the 2016 Camry could be optioned with selected equipment from higher trim levels.

The list for the base Camry LE was a short one, including an infotainment system upgrade to a 7-inch touch-screen display, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Scout GPS-connected navigation.

This same infotainment system was offered for the Camry SE, along with a separate step up to the top-shelf system with an embedded navigation system and Entune App Suite. Original owners of the SE could also opt for a wireless-device charger and a power sunroof.

Wireless charging and a power sunroof were available for XLE and XSE trims, too. Additionally, these versions of the Camry could be fitted with a JBL premium sound system, Safety Connect subscription services, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. A Technology Package installed adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Toyota dealerships also sold a variety of retailer-installed accessories for the 2016 Camry, some more useful than others.

Toyota offered three different powertrains for the 2016 Camry, and every version of car came with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive was not available.

The majority of 2016 Camrys have a tried-and-true 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. It produces 178 horsepower and is teamed with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Simple, reliable, and reasonably powerful and efficient, this powertrain combination will satisfy most Camry owners most of the time.

2.5-liter 4-cylinder
178 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
170 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
Fuel tank size: 17 gal.
EPA fuel economy (city/highway/combined): 25/34/28 mpg
Driving range (city/highway/combined): 425/578/476 miles

If strong acceleration is important to you, either because you like to drive or you simply want to make sure you have enough power to safely merge onto freeways or make turns across traffic, then you’ll want to consider the XLE or XSE trim with the V6 engine.

A 3.5-liter V6, it feels stronger than its 268-horsepower rating might suggest. Smooth, refined and capable of accelerating a Camry with remarkable speed, the V6 engine also uses a 6-speed automatic transmission.

3.5-liter V6
268 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
248 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
Fuel tank size: 17 gal.
EPA fuel economy (city/highway/combined): 21/30/25 mpg
Driving range (city/highway/combined): 357/510/425 miles

Making more total horsepower than the standard 4-cylinder engine, and returning much better fuel economy, the Camry Hybrid is definitely worth consideration.

It combines a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 105-kW electric motor and a 244.8-volt nickel-metal hydride battery to produce 200 horsepower while getting up to 40 mpg. The only bummer is the electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT), which tends to drone loudly during acceleration.

This is a dependable powertrain, and it’s worth noting that Camry Hybrids endure significant abuse as New York City taxicabs.

Gas-electric Hybrid
2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine
Permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor
Nickel-metal hydride battery
Combined power rating: 200 horsepower
Fuel tank size: 17 gal.
EPA fuel economy (city/highway/combined): 40/37/39 mpg (SE, XLE)
Driving range (city/highway/combined): 680/629/663 miles