2012 Toyota Camry: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

2012 Toyota Camry: What is it?

Long the top-selling car in the U.S., the Toyota Camry has been sold in this country for 30 years and is now in its ninth design generation. It is currently offered only as a front-wheel-drive 4-door sedan with 4-cylinder, V6, and hybrid powertrains.

Camry is built in the U.S. and is a Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy in a very competitive class that also includes the Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Nissan Altima, and Chevrolet Malibu.

2012 Toyota Camry: What’s New

The 2012 Toyota Camry is redesigned with new styling, new features, and a significantly improved powertrain for the Hybrid model.

2012 Toyota Camry: Model Lineup Features and Options

Four-cylinder models include the L, LE, SE, and XLE. The V6 is offered in SE and XLE trim. The Hybrid comes as an LE or XLE.

The L comes fairly well equipped, with tilt/telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, height-adjustable driver seat, split folding rear seat, power windows/locks/mirrors, digital-media player connection, USB port, and wireless cell-phone link. However, many might want the step-up LE for its remote keyless entry, steering-wheel radio controls, and automatic headlights.

SE models are the sporty versions, and include heated power mirrors, a sport-tuned suspension, and larger tires (17s with the 4-cylinder, 18s with the V6). V6 versions also add a navigation system, rearview camera, power driver seat, keyless access and starting, and satellite radio. Most of those features are optional on the 4-cylinder.

XLE models add the usual luxury and convenience touches, including navigation system, rearview camera, satellite radio, keyless access and starting, and sunroof, many of which are also available as options on lower-level models. Also optional are leather upholstery, heated front seats, blind-spot alert, and Toyota’s Entune infotainment system and Safety Connect assistance system.

2012 Toyota Camry: Engines, Transmissions, and Drive Wheels

Three powertrains are offered in the Camry: a 178-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed automatic transmission; a 268-horseower 3.5-liter V6 and 6-speed automatic; and a Hybrid carrying a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder paired with an electric motor for a combined 200 horsepower, along with a CVT transmission that behaves much like an automatic.

Camrys come only with front-wheel drive.

2012 Toyota Camry: Fuel Economy

Regular 4-cylinder models are EPA-rated at 25 city/35 highway. The V6s are rated at 21/30. Seeing a big improvement for 2012 is the Hybrid, which is rated at 43/39 – up 4 to 12 mpg over last year’s Hybrid. All Camrys use regular-grade gas.

A test 4-cylinder Camry averaged 26.9 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving. A V6 averaged 26.4 in mostly highway driving.

2012 Toyota Camry: Safety Features

Camrys include all the expected safety features plus a driver knee airbag, and also offer a rearview camera, blind-spot alert, and Safety Connect assistance system.

This evaluation is based on preview test drives of early production vehicles.