Toyota Camry – What the Auto Press Says

The 2011 Toyota Camry ranks 13 out of 18 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 79 published reviews and test drives of the Toyota Camry, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The best-selling car in America for eight straight years, the Toyota Camry saw its reputation damaged by Toyota’s highly-publicized recalls for unintended acceleration (see our Toyota Recall page for details). Buyers still interested in a Camry will find a softly-tuned, comfortable commuter car, but we’ve seen reports of quality problems with the 2011 Toyota Camry.

Americans have known exactly what to expect from the Toyota Camry for years. It’s been a reliable, comfortable commuter for millions, which helped it conquer the market as the best-selling car in the U.S. for nearly a decade. In 2010, it won the U.S. News Best Midsize Car for the Money Award for the second year in a row. But a series of highly-publicized recalls for unintended acceleration and reviews citing build-quality problems, have raised questions about the Camry’s reliability. The 2011 Toyota Camry is one of Toyota’s first post-recall cars — and the automotive press is watching carefully to see whether it is part of a renaissance for the brand, or another contributor to its fall from grace.

The 2011 Toyota Camry has a long list of virtues, but they’re virtues that don’t necessarily impress auto reviewers. The Camry offers a spacious, comfortable interior and is tuned for a smooth ride — but that means it’s sluggish in the corners, and its base four-cylinder engine is not particularly quick. Motor Trend calls it, “The Wal-Mart of family cars,” which is both a compliment and an insult — it’s popular and predictable, but not particularly exciting. In previous years, reviewers have praised its bulletproof reputation for reliability. But in the wake of Toyota’s string of recalls, many don’t know what to think of its quality.

For Toyota loyalists, the 2011 Toyota Camry may represent a great buying opportunity, especially since Toyota has been discounting the Camry with heavy incentives in recent months. Be sure to check for current Toyota Deals for details. Others, however, may find that the Camry is not the automatic answer it used to be for buyers looking for a reliable car they didn’t have to think much about.