1992-1996 Toyota Camry: Road Test

The 4-cylinder engine is smooth and responsive, giving the Camry sedan adequate acceleration and passing power, even with the automatic transmission. We averaged 10.9 seconds to 60 mph in our test and nearly 23 mpg. The V6 is much quicker, but uses more fuel (we averaged about 18 mpg in our test). However, the V6 is perhaps the most polished engine in this class and works in concert with a highly refined automatic to deliver virtually vibration-free performance. Camrys feature a soft, absorbent ride that soaks up most bumps and ruts quite easily. It also corners with good stability and has good traction on wet roads. While the Camry's 103.1-inch wheelbase put it in the compact class, it has more interior room than many midsize models. Note, however, that the rear seatbacks tend to be stiff and too reclined, making them uncomfortable for some people. The trunklid opens at bumper level to a wide, flat floor that reaches well-forward. Split rear seatbacks fold down to add cargo space.

Value for the Money
There's a lot of the Lexus ES 300 in the Camry, which we believe set the standard for refinement among midsize and compact family cars. It's smoother, quieter, and built with higher levels of quality than some luxury sedans costing thousands more. New Camrys generally sold for more than its compact rivals, so expect preowned models to also be priced a bit more, given Toyota's generally high resale value and strong reputation for reliability.