The Toyota Camry: A Company’s Promise of Quality

By: Craig McPherson

A 2024 Toyota Camry in a vibrant reservoir blue (Credit : 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE Nightshade Edition - Kelley Blue Book).

In the world of automobiles, not many brands are beloved for quite the same reasons as Toyota. The Japanese auto brand is renowned for reliability, durability, and innovation. A great example of these values would be the Camry. Ever since 1983, Toyota has managed to make countless innovations in aspects such as performance and safety through this popular sedan. This is the story of how the Camry was conceived, and how it inspired evolution within the industry for over 40 years. 

As mentioned before, the Camry was first introduced in 1983. It had a boxy, hatchback-like shape, which was very popular in the 1980s. This was a contrast to the Camry’s predecessor, the Celica Camry, a sportier, rear-wheel drive sedan, sold in Japan from 1979 to 1983. This first generation would continue to be manufactured until the end of 1986, with three different, four-cylinder, engines available.  

The second generation would begin in 1987. The Camry would be given a more sporty design, with a streamlined body and an optional V-6 engine, which replaced the diesel engine in the United States. The new Camry also had a larger trunk, with more space in the interior. In 1988, Toyota would open a production facility in Kentucky to manufacture more Camrys for the American market. Being available as both a sedan and wagon, the Camry could now also have all-wheel drive. 

The third generation began in 1992. The first significant change brought by this generation would be the edition of the coupe body style in 1992. However, it was discontinued in 1996, the same year this generation ended. The public was very impressed by the quality of the Camry in this generation, so much so, it made Car and Driver’s 10Best Cars list in 1992 and 1993. 

When the fourth generation began in 1997. The work done for the engineering of these newer Camrys would be split between Toyota’s American and Japanese divisions. Even though the cars were made larger than before, they were slightly lighter and more affordable. It was also in 1997 that The Camry became the best selling car in America. In 1999, the Camry would become a coupe again, as the Toyota Camry Solara. For the time, it was considered impressively fast, with a speed of 135 miles per hour. In 2000, the Solara would also be available as a convertible. 

The fifth generation lasted from 2002 to 2006. The Camry was made slightly taller, with raised seats and more legroom. It would also gain an in-dash navigation system. The Solara coupe variant was also redesigned in 2004, with the same top speed as the original design. However, the design of new, rear-hinged doors was proven unpopular. 

Predictably, the Camrys of the sixth generation, made from 2007 to 2011, were bigger and stronger. However, something unique about this generation would be the introduction of a hybrid variant. The original hybrid Camry, from 2007, had a new V6 engine with 40% more power. It also used Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, which was originally made for the Prius. This gave it an excellent fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon, comparable to the likes of the Toyota Prius or Honda Civic hybrids released at the same time. In 2010, the Camry hybrid got its own unique grille, front bumper, and fog lights. 

Surprisingly, the reception of the seventh generation, from 2012 to 2017, was somewhat lukewarm. The new exterior design was more modern and streamlined, but didn’t stand out from the competition. Also, this was the first generation to only offer automatic transmission, meaning that the vehicle switched gears by its sled. In 2015, the exterior would be given a larger front grille, with sharper corners. It would also have new headlights, and a less sloped-looking body. Changes like these were meant to give it a more sporty, appealing look. 

In 2018, the Toyota Camry’s makeover would coincidentally be revealed the same year as that of its biggest rival; the Honda Accord. The handling of this generation was greatly improved due to a lower center of gravity, lighter weight, and a more rigid body. In 2020, the Camry TRD was introduced. The Camry TRD, or Toyota Racing Development, was given firmer suspension and a more racecar-like appearance. However, aspects such as performance, speed, or power are seemingly unchanged from the other variants. It was also around this time when the Camry gained many popular safety features, such as the Pre-Collision Mitigation with Pedestrian Detection, Road Sign Assist, and an Automatic High-Beam system.

2025 marked the beginning of the Camry’s ninth generation. One of the most significant changes would be the overall appearance, with a sleeker look, and slimmer headlights. Another significant change would be how the Camry is now only going to be sold as a hybrid, with an electric torque. This new hybrid also has a fuel economy as high as 53 miles per gallon. 

In conclusion, the Toyota Camry has undergone many changes throughout the generations of the auto industry. It has been through this sedan that the company has continued to evolve in their craft, in order to ensure the satisfaction of all customers. As Akio Toyoda, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Toyota, said best; “When consumers purchase a Toyota, they are not simply purchasing a car, truck or van. They are placing their trust in our company.”