Used 2020 Toyota Camry

#2 in Best Midsize Cars of 2020

The Toyota Camry continues to be one of America’s favorite family sedans, offering value, reliability, safety, and comfort. While generations of Toyota Camry design have been what might best be described as inoffensive, the 2020 Toyota Camry is literally the stellar opposite. Redesigned two years ago, the Camry is now one of the most dynamic sedans in its class, easily the equal of the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, and Nissan Altima.

The 2020 Camry only gets better this year, now available with all-wheel drive (AWD) to help it better compete with the Subaru Legacy and Nissan Altima. In a bid to lure customers away from the Nissan Maxima and sporty Kia Optima, a track-tuned TRD Camry makes its debut. Finally, after years of legal wrangling, Toyota and Google have finally made nice, allowing Android Auto to join Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa as part of the Camry’s standard infotainment setup.

Despite its massive overhaul, the Camry still touts a bit of old-world meets new. For example, where some rivals have moved to turbocharged small displacement 4-cylinder engines, the Camry retains its proven and powerful V6. At the other end of the spectrum, the Camry Hybrid uses a sophisticated gasoline/electric powertrain that returns a 53-mpg highway. But even the basic gasoline-only Camry attains EPA fuel economy ratings in the low 40s, a remarkable achievement considering the Camry’s size.

For all of its life, the Toyota Camry has presented itself as a comfortable family sedan that never pushed the boundaries, yet still felt quite satisfying. That’s no longer the case, as the 2020 Camry sports a radical look designed to banish boring from the Camry’s family history.

Its performance aspects are enhanced by a stiff body structure, a low stance, and a double-wishbone rear suspension. The result is a ride that is firm without being harsh and handling that allows the Camry to round corners with ease. Does the Camry handle as well as the Honda Accord? We’d have to give the edge to the Accord, which feels a bit more nimble plus has a quieter interior. The Camry’s ride is still impressively smooth, and its steering response spot-on. We also love the Camry’s 8-speed automatic transmission, which we prefer over the Accord’s CVT. To be fair, Accords with the 2.0-liter engine get a 10-speed automatic that is every bit as satisfying as the Camry’s transmission.

Most buyers will opt for the standard 4-cylinder engine, which provides acceptable levels of performance but exceptional fuel economy. Those who demand instantaneous bursts of speed will want to go with the Camry’s 3.5-liter V6. With over 300 horsepower, the V6 can easily have the front tires leaving rubber on the road.

A new feature this year is all-wheel drive, but it is only offered with the 4-cylinder engine. Unlike the Subaru Legacy, the Camry’s AWD setup isn’t permanently engaged, leaving the front wheels to do the work until the computers sense wheel slippage is about to occur. All-wheel drive helps the Camry feel more stable when cornering and helps secure traction when starting out on icy or snow-covered roadways. The AWD Dynamic Torque Control system sends up to 50 percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels, but only at speeds under 15 mph. The only downside to opting for an all-wheel-drive Camry is the slightly diminished fuel economy and 2-gallon smaller fuel tank.

New this year is a Camry that pushes the performance envelope. The 2020 Camry TRD was developed in conjunction with Toyota Racing Development with an eye at stealing away customers shopping performance-oriented sedans such as the Kia Optima, Nissan Maxima, and Mazda6. A firmer suspension, lower ride height, and larger wheels return a firm, sometimes jarring ride, but for some, the way the TRD hugs the curves may negate any concerns about ride comfort.

Inside the 2020 Toyota Camry’s cabin is an artful blend of style, materials, technology, and versatility. The overall feeling is one of solidity and purpose. There’s a touch of Lexus in the Camry’s asymmetrical dash design, with sharp angles and rounded curves comprising the top pad, instrument cluster binnacle, and center control surrounds.

Passenger space is more than ample, and the nicely-bolstered front seats provide good support without pinching larger-framed occupants. Trunk space varies by trim, set at 14.1 cubic feet on the L and 15.1 cubic feet on all others. By comparison, the Honda Accord offers 16.7-cubic feet of cargo space. Neither the L nor the TRD model feature folding rear seats, the former to save on costs and the latter to accommodate increased bracing.

In a nod to “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” we applaud Toyota’s choice to retain a traditional console-mounted gear selector. It’s just easier and more logical to use than the push-button selectors found on the Ford Fusion and Honda Accord. The same goes for the Camry’s straightforward controls and big 7- or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment setup.

Long gone are the simple lines and demure styling of Camry’s past. The 2020 Camry is a whole new animal, and we think it’s the best looking sedan ever to wear the storied name. For many, the Camry’s racy styling may be all they need to reconsider the family sedan, with its wide front grille and sculpted aluminum hood, it almost looks like a large, 4-door Toyota 86.

Among the many unexpected design elements are the four chrome-tipped exhaust pipes found on the XSE trim and the black painted roof option on the TRD and XSE trims. The limited-run Camry Nightshade edition plays of the car’s dramatic styling with dark trim and wheels, as well as black badges and emblems.

At the farthest end of the standard family-sedan look is the new TRD trim. This model gets a unique suspension that puts the Camry lower to the ground. There are unique wheels, blacked-out trim with lower red stripping, and a slick wing attached to the Camry’s trunk lid. Color choices for the TRD are limited to black, silver, red, and white.

CAMRY HYBRID
The Toyota Camry has been a long-time player in the hybrid sedan game, and the 2020 Camry Hybrid continues the winning streak. With an EPA estimated 52-mpg, the Camry Hybrid easily dominates competitors such as the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Kia Optima Hybrid, and even the mighty Accord Hybrid.

TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE P (TSS-P)
Now standard on every Toyota Camry, the Toyota Safety Sense P suite of driver assists includes adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist.

The 2020 Toyota Camry model range includes the L, LE, SE, Nightshade, XSE, XLE, and TRD. The hybrid models cover LE, SE, and XLE. Standard equipment on the most basic Camry L includes the TSS-P driver-assist suite, 7-inch touchscreen audio, integrated rear backup camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Bluetooth and remote keyless entry.

For an additional $545, the better-equipped LE adds an 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat.

Also standard on every trim is Toyota Care, which includes complimentary maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles and 24/7 roadside assistance.

More options appear on higher trims, like the Camry SE’s darkened exterior styling treatment, 18-inch wheels, sport bucket seats, and performance-oriented suspension. XSE and XLE trims get leather seating, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 7-inch configurable instrument cluster, blind-spot monitor, panoramic glass roof with a built-in moonroof, three selectable drive modes, and an electric parking brake. Both the XLE and XSE can be equipped with a V6 engine.

Based off the sporty SE, the new TRD trim includes a V6 engine, a sport suspension, unique 19-inch matte-black wheels, a custom interior with red stitching on the seats, steering wheel, and TRD embroidered head restraints as well as red seatbelts.

Other options sold in packages or as standalone items include the JBL premium audio system, navigation, full-speed adaptive cruise control, wireless smartphone charge pad, a head-up display, ventilated front seats, and a bird’s-eye 360-degree camera.

All-wheel-drive models include the Cold Weather Package that brings heated side mirrors and front seats to the LE trim, and on XLE and XSE, a heated steering wheel.

Residing beneath the 2020 Toyota Camry’s lightweight hood are three engine options. Standard is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder producing 203 horsepower (206 in the XSE). When paired with the 8-speed automatic, this engine returns an impressive 41-mpg highway fuel economy estimate.

Next up is the 3.5-liter V6. With 301 horsepower, this engine delivers impressive 0 to 60 sprints yet still manages to keep fuel consumption figures in the mid to upper 20s. The same 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters is employed for use with the V6.

Finally, there is the Camry Hybrid’s 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and electric motor combination. This pairing returns improved performance over the non-hybrid 4-cylinder Camry and better fuel economy with an estimated 53-mpg highway number.

2.5-liter inline-4
203 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm (XSE: 206 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm)
184 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm (XSE: 186 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 29/41 mpg (L), 28/39 mpg (LE, SE), 27/38 mpg (XLE, XSE), 25/34 mpg (AWD LE, SE, XLE, XSE)

3.5-liter V6
301 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm
267 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/33 mpg (XLE), 22/32 mpg (XSE), 22/31 mpg (TRD)

2.5-liter inline-4 gasoline-electric hybrid
208 horsepower total
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 51/53 mpg (LE), 44/47 mpg (SE, XLE)