Skip to main content

The Camry is one of the most popular and reliable vehicles in Toyota’s lineup. And this year, it remains the best-selling midsize sedan in America. In fact, the Toyota Camry often comes up in car sales, highlighted by Consumer Reports this past July 4.

Considering the Camry’s success, a recent press release from Toyota comes as no surprise. The automaker was proud to announce that its 10 millionth Camry rolled off the assembly line in late June. Let’s go over the events that led to this milestone and what the latest model has to offer.

A brief history of the best-selling midsize sedan, the Toyota Camry

The 10 millionth Toyota Camry rolls off the assembly line at the company's Kentucky production plant in June 2021
The 10 millionth Toyota Camry rolls off the assembly line in June 2021 | Joseph Rey Au for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

The Toyota Camry debuted in 1983 to replace the Corona sedan. It had a bigger interior and a comfier ride than its predecessor, which boosted its popularity from the onset. The second-generation car was even longer and came with a bigger trunk. The Camry was also introduced as a modern station wagon for this generation.

The second-gen Toyota Camry models would also benefit from a 153-hp V6 and newly optional all-wheel drive. The third-generation Camry debuted in 1992 as a midsize sedan instead of a compact. The infamous Camry Solara coupe, reportedly likelier likely to get pulled over, was also released.

The Toyota Camry really hit a boom during its fourth generation. The Ann Arbor, Michigan factory was responsible for creating half of the Camry’s total units during this time. According to Car Salesbase, the Camry sold over 400,000 units for the first time in 1998.

The car hit its all-time high in 2007, selling 473,108 units. This was at the beginning of its sixth generation, which would also see the debut of the Camry Hybrid. The Toyota Camry is now in its eighth generation, the first to offer a TRD model.

The 10 millionth Toyota Camry

This record-breaking Camry was a white SE model from the Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant. The facility is Toyota’s first wholly owned plant stateside, where it has been operating for 35 years. Since 2020, this plant has also been responsible for manufacturing RAV4 Hybrid compact SUVs.

In fact, a blue RAV4 Hybrid was the 13 millionth vehicle overall created by this plant. This model was Toyota’s best-selling hybrid last year, even beating the lauded Prius. The Camry also performed well in 2020 despite the pandemic, selling 294,348 units.

The 2022 model at a glance

The latest Toyota Camry is mostly unchanged from last year, but it will have an edgy new trim, the Nightshade Edition. It still comes standard with a four-cylinder engine that makes up to 206 hp, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For 2021, available AWD made its much-appreciated return after an extended absence.

Starting on the XLE trim, you can get a V6 engine that makes an elevated 301 hp. The Toyota Camry TRD comes standard with this motor, as well as a track-tuned racing suspension. While the TRD undeniably has the best performance, critics say each Camry is plenty of fun to drive.

The Toyota Camry also has one of the most upscale interiors in the segment, even on the lowest trim. It can seat up to five riders with room to spare in both rows. In addition to the 15-cubic-foot trunk, the back seats can fold down for more cargo space.

The Camry comes with excellent standard equipment, including smartphone integration and 10 active safety features. It’s slightly more expensive than the comparable Mazda6, but the Camry gets better gas mileage. Its ride quality is also more engaging than the Honda Accord, making Toyota’s midsize sedan a standout in its segment.

Related

Is This Really the Toyota Camry’s Answer to Crossover SUVs?