Pros: The 2014 Toyota Camry offers a smooth, quiet ride, a spacious cabin, excellent fuel economy, and high residual value -- all backed by the Japanese automaker's stellar reliability.
Cons: Bland styling, a lack of driving excitement, and complex HVAC controls affect the driving experience. Also, the Camry lags behind the competition where the latest safety systems are concerned.
2014 Toyota Camry Price: This year's lineup consists of five different trim levels (not including the Camry Hybrid):
- LE: $23,750
- SE: $27,070
- SE V6: $29,810
- XLE: $30,560
- XLE V6: $33,625
2014 Toyota Camry Fuel Economy: Models with the 4-cylinder engine achieve 5.5L/100km in the city and 8.2L/100km on the highway. Those using the V6 burn 6.5L and 9.7L/100km, respectively.
Improvements and Changes: Options and packages have been slightly modified for 2014.
Powertrain: The base 2.5L DOHC 4-cylinder with dual intelligent variable valve timing generates 178 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.5L V6 produces a solid 268 horsepower along with 248 lb-ft of torque. Each one teams up with a 6-speed automatic transmission that features paddle shifters on select trim levels. Unlike some competitors, the Camry doesn't offer AWD.
Cargo Capacity: The 2014 Toyota Camry has a 436-litre trunk, which puts it right in the middle of the pack.
Safety: Standard features include stability and traction control, disc brakes with ABS, brake assist and electronic brake force distribution, as well as smart stop technology, which automatically cuts engine power and allows the brakes to take precedence over the accelerator when both pedals are pressed at the same time. Let's not forget the 10 airbags and available blind spot monitor.
Comparing the 2014 Toyota Camry: The midsize sedan segment is by far one of the toughest in North America with the likes of the Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler 200, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord, Kia Optima, Mazda6, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy, and Volkswagen Passat also fighting for consumer dollars.