Vehicle Overview

The 2009 Camry remains the perennial best-seller among midsize sedans. The Camry trim levels, in ascending price, are the base Camry, the LE, the sporty SE and the premium XLE. The Camry Hybrid, detailed in a separate report in the Cars.com Research section, falls somewhere between the SE and XLE in terms of standard equipment.

The Camry’s archrival is the Honda Accord, which is consistently the second-best-seller. A few other midsize competitors include the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima.

New for 2009The Camry’s entry-level model changes its name from CE to simply Camry.

ExteriorThe current-generation Camry’s nose is blunter and the overall profile is sportier than its predecessor. The tail recalls the full-size Avalon sedan, and the fenders have shoulders that give the trunklid a hump.

The grilles distinguish one trim level from another. The SE also has rocker-panel and front-end extensions and larger wheels. Exterior length is 189.2 inches and width comes in at 71.7 inches, putting the Camry on the small side of the midsize market.

• Available 16- or 17-inch wheels
• Standard automatic headlamps
• Standard power mirrors
• Optional moonroof (not available on base Camry)
• Heated mirrors (standard on XLE, optional on SE)
• Dual chrome exhaust tips (with V-6 only)
• Fog lamps (SE and XLE)

InteriorThe Camry’s steering wheel both tilts and telescopes. XLE standard fabric is treated by the Fraichir process, which gives it a natural moisturizing component. The SE trim level gets its own sport-trimmed interior in darker colors with amber gauges and a three-spoke steering wheel.

The CE and LE trims have split, folding backseats. The XLE backrests recline 8 degrees, but they don’t fold forward to extend cargo space into the cabin. Likewise, the Camry SE’s seats don’t fold due to a V-shaped brace intended to stiffen the car’s structure and improve handling. There’s 101.4 cubic feet for passengers to stretch out — putting the sedan in the middle of the pack in terms of space. Same thing goes for its 15-cubic-foot trunk.

• Available cloth, Fraichir cloth and leather upholstery
• Standard air conditioning
• Standard cruise control, plus power windows and locks
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter (SE and XLE)
• Optional heated front seats (SE and XLE)
• Optional eight-speaker JBL stereo with satellite radio (not on base Camry)
• Optional Bluetooth (not on base Camry)
• Optional navigation system (SE and XLE)

Under the HoodA four-cylinder engine is available on all models, while the optional V-6 is available on all but the base Camry. The SE has firmer springs, shock absorbers, stabilizer bars and bushings to improve handling and limit body roll compared to other trim levels.

• Standard 158-horsepower four-cylinder engine with 161 pounds-feet of torque
• Optional 268-hp V-6 with 248 pounds-feet of torque
• Standard five-speed manual (four-cylinder)
• Optional five-speed automatic (four-cylinder)
• Optional six-speed automatic (V-6)
• Optional push-button start (XLE)

SafetySafety features include:

• Standard side-impact airbags
• Standard side curtain airbags
• Standard driver’s knee airbag
• Standard antilock braking system with brake assist
• Standard daytime running lamps
• Optional electronic stability system
• Standard engine immobilizer in case of ignition tampering