Toyota Camry Deals

2010 Toyota Camry Review

Competent and well-rounded.

Challengers to the Camry have attacked from every angle: nicer looks, better features, higher power, lower prices. Never mattered. At the end of the day, more consumers drive home in the Camry than any car in its class, or any car in America, period. It's been that way for years - now about a dozen and counting.

The success is understandable. This family-friendly four-door offers a serene ride, adult-friendly seats in both rows, and a repair record matched by only one other (Honda, of course). Despite its image, it's also a pretty decent performer. The standard 4-cylinder engine's 158 horsepower will serve most people just fine, and those who want it all can get a power trip from the 268-hp V6. Toyota even one-ups the competition with a Hybrid version that can go 33 miles on every gallon of gas (vs. 22-24 for other Camrys). Throw in the slick-looking Solara coupes and convertible variations, and there's almost a Camry for everyone.

Everyone, that is, except the discerning driver. Between its numb steering, anonymous-sounding engine and general feel of indifference, the Camry has racked up a reputation as the class killjoy - something that's become more deserved lately as other cars have grown more involving. Another reservation is with the Camry's quality, which has shown signs of slipping since the 2007 redesign. Squeaks and rattles have become commonplace, and V6 models have given their owners a fair share of transmission troubles.

The Camry is still a solid sedan with many merits. Just know that without bulletproof reliability on its side, there's plenty of reason to cross-shop.