Models:
1983 ~ 1995
In the 1983 model year, Toyota replaced the old, rear-wheel-drive Corona with the Camry. By the time the front-wheel-drive Camry came to market, Honda's Accord had been tearing up the sales charts for a few years. In an attempt to be bigger and better than the Honda, Camry's wheelbase, at 102.4 inches, was nearly 6 inches longer than the Accord's, translating into more legroom for backseat passengers. Likewise, the Camry's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, at 92 horsepower, had a bit more power than the Accord's 86-horse, 1.8-liter unit. Transmissions offered were a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.
1985 saw updates such as a shuffling of colors, a slight bump in the engine's output (to 95 horsepower) and the adoption of flush-mounted headlights. As Honda rolled out an all-new and improved Accord, the successful Camry stood pat, as the car would receive a complete redesign the following year.
1987 saw the first year of the second-generation Camry. Although the four-cylinder engine's displacement remained at 2.0 liters, motive force increased by a stout 20 horsepower (to 115 ponies), a result of a more modern, 16-valve, twin-cam engine design. In addition to the newfound power were decreases in noise and vibration. Nearly imperceptible gear changes characterized the optional automatic transmission -- a good thing, as most Camrys were so equipped.
The big news for the 1988 Camry was a V6 engine option and the availability of all-wheel drive (AWD). The 2.5-liter V6 boasted double-overhead cams (DOHC) with four valves per cylinder and kicked out 153 horsepower. This refined powerplant provided strong acceleration as well as very smooth and quiet operation. The AWD system, dubbed "All-Trac" and available only with the manual transmission, provided additional grip for those who lived in areas of the country prone to slippery driving conditions, such as the Northeast and the Midwest. With the increasing popularity of the Camry in the U.S. came the decision to set up production of the car in the states. Georgetown, Ky., was chosen as the site and the first American-made Camrys started rolling off the line in 1988.
In 1989, the Camry All-Trac could be had with the automatic gearbox, but other than this, the car continued for the next two years virtually unchanged. As before, Toyota knew to leave well enough alone. As the Camry continued to garner praise and awards from various consumer publications for its high levels of build quality and reliability, sales continued to climb.
Antilock brakes became optional in 1991 on a few of the Camry models, specifically the LE V6 Sedan and Wagon and the All-Trac LE Sedan. This year also saw the addition of a knock sensor on the V6 to ensure smoother operation.
Catering to Americans' fondness for larger cars, the completely redesigned 1992 Camry grew in every dimension. The larger Camry, in addition to providing noticeably more room for occupants, was more pleasing to the eye as well. Smoothly rounded, aerodynamic contours enveloped the car, and inside the cabin, this theme continued with nary a hard edge to be seen on the dash or door panels. The four-cylinder engine now displaced 2.2 liters and boasted 130 horsepower. The V6 was increased to 3.0 liters and kicked out 185 horsepower, enough muscle to launch a Camry from zero to 60 mph in under 8 seconds. Also later in the 1992 model year, a wagon rejoined the Camry lineup. The new wagon, spacious enough to allow for a third-seat option (that increased passenger capacity to seven), was offered in DX and LE trim levels. Small refinements, such as improved gear shifting quality of manual transmission/four cylinder cars,
marked the 1993 model year.
By 1994, now in its third year of its third-generation of design, the Camry received a few notable changes and additions for '94. On the mechanical side, the V6 was completely redesigned for more power (now 188 horsepower) and smoother operation. 1995 Brought a mild facelift, with the Camry receiving a new grille, headlights and taillights, all intended to give the car a more upscale and substantial appearance. The DX Wagon was dropped, leaving the more luxurious LE trim as the sole choice for a Camry wagon. The XLE received ABS as standard; it was optional on other trim levels. Beating the mandate by two years, the '95 Camry met 1997 government side-impact crash standards.
1996 to Now
Now in its fifth, and last, year of this generation (introduced as a '92),
the 1996 Camry continued with only minor changes from the previous year. A new seat fabric adorned the interior of the DX, leather seating became optional on the LE (the most popular trim level) and a power seat was a new option for the LE Wagon. Continuing its every-five-years design cycle,
the Camry was revamped for 1997. The new body style traded the curves of the previous generation for sharp angles on a wedge-like profile. Three trim levels were available, base CE (which replaced the DX), nicely equipped LE and loaded XLE. The sporty SE was gone. More powerful engines were on tap, with the 2.2-liter inline four producing 133 horsepower and the V6 (which was now optional on the base model) boasting 194 ponies. An automatic transmission was standard on LE and XLE models, while the four-cylinder CE came with a choice of either a five-speed manual or the automatic.
Side-impact airbags became available as an option for all 1998 Camrys. The V6 earned LEV status, which the inline four already had. The anti-theft system was improved via an engine immobilizer. And again, the Camry was the most popular car in America.
A coupe, called the Camry Solara, returned to the lineup for 1999. The Camry sedan received DRL (daytime running lights) as standard on LE and XLE models and was included on the CE if it had optional antilock brakes. Other changes included upgraded sound systems with both CD and cassette players and a shuffling of color choices.
To freshen up the now four-year-old body style of the Camry sedan,
Toyota updated the front and rear ends for 2000. The simple addition of a chrome outline for the grille brought the nose uptown, and enlarged taillights adorned the tail. Revised side moldings and new wheel cover and wheel designs completed the exterior enhancements.
Toyota sent the fourth-generation Camry out in fine style for its last year, 2001, with a special "Gallery Series" edition. This gussied-up LE featured two-tone treatments for the paint and interior, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, and chrome accents such as wheelcovers, exhaust tip and vent surrounds.
In 2002 the body was at once more substantial and more aerodynamic than previous models. Other than the oddly placed Toyota symbol on the nose, this Camry had a more upscale and elegant look than its predecessor. A 2-inch stretch in wheelbase and a height increase of 2.5 inches make for a more spacious cabin. And a bigger trunk allows a total capacity of 16.7 cubic feet — an increase of 2.6 cubic feet. Motivating the Camry is again the choice of four- or six-cylinder power. The proven V6 was tweaked a bit to lower emissions and qualify for ULEV status but lost a few horsepower (now rated at 192 ponies). The completely new inline four, now at 2.4 liters, pumps out 157 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is paired only with a four-speed automatic, while four-cylinder buyers have a choice of the automatic or a five-speed manual gearbox.
