What sets a vehicle apart from the others that you see on the road every day? We feel that it’s a blend of style, performance, and even efficiency. For the 2022 Toyota Camry, the name of the game is choice, and you’ll have a seemingly overwhelming number of options. Don’t fret; we’re here to explain why and how these options translate into an overall unique experience. One look at Toyota’s website, and you’ll immediately notice an extensive list of thirteen Camry models, including trims, special editions, and so on. That still doesn’t tell us what separates this sedan from the others on the market. The way we see it, the uniqueness of the Camry is that every model that you see on the road is likely different from the one you’re driving.
Whether we’re talking about exterior designs, interior enhancements, or the engine that powers our vehicles, the Camry is one of the most versatile vehicles that Toyota has ever designed. That doesn’t just go for the consumers either; Toyota also reaps the benefits of a far more customizable sedan than the competition. How have they taken advantage of this? The Camry can be configured with multiple powertrains. If you’re the type who would rather save money on fuel, the Camry is for you. If you’re the type of driver that prefers raw performance over anything, the Camry can help you out too. Let’s start talking about how the performance and efficiency of the Camry make it far more of an exclusive experience than many other manufacturers can replicate.
Much Better Pricing
Compared to a wide range of the competition, the Camry is fairly priced, and this goes for the hybrid models and the gasoline-powered ones. There’s an astonishing selection of seven trim levels for the 2022 Camry, with the starting price for the base trim coming in at $25,295. Four of these trim levels are offered in hybrid configurations: the LE, SE, XLE, and XSE. The starting price for the hybrid models sits at $27,380, so you won’t even be spending that much more upfront – something that can’t be said for the majority of hybrid options on the market today.
The Money Saving Method
You have likely heard that hybrid vehicles have become more of a money saver than a money pit, and these claims are entirely accurate. Hybrid vehicles aren’t rare anymore, far from it, but some manufacturers are taking their sweet time with making the transition over to more emissions-free vehicles. Toyota decided not to complicate things and has ultimately made the shopping experience rather straightforward. For example, the Camry can be fitted with a hybrid powertrain instead of your standard gasoline-powered one. Why is this so important? It’s simple, and the answer is catering to a wide subset of drivers, not just one. As I said, those more inclined to save the most money will opt for a hybrid powertrain, while those looking for some extra performance have plenty of options too.
The hybrid powertrain that you can fit inside of your 2022 Camry consists of a 2.5L four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor to generate a total of 208 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain also comes with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which is rather common for hybrids. That’s all fine and good, but it’s all for nothing if it doesn’t save you money in the long run. Fortunately, with the 2022 Camry’s hybrid option, you’ll earn EPA-estimated ratings of 51 MPG city and 53 MPG highway, and 52 MPG combined. Simply stellar for all use case scenarios, from commuting to work to cruising around town or even getting the kids to and from school. The one downside to the hybrid will be limiting yourself to front-wheel drive, but that doesn’t bother some drivers as much as others.
Want Performance? You Got it
As I alluded to earlier, the hybrid Camry models are but a small selection of the overall greater picture. This is because two additional engines are available for the 2022 Camry, both of which run on gasoline. You have a choice here between a 2.5L four-cylinder engine or a larger and stronger 3.5L V6. Both of these engines will pair to an 8-speed automatic transmission, making the regular Camry both punchier and louder, which many drivers will likely prefer.
Starting with the I-4, this engine produces between 202 hp and 206 hp depending on the configuration you choose and 182 to 186 lb-ft of torque. Even though it’s not as efficient as the aforementioned hybrid model, it still manages to hold its own regarding fuel efficiency. All-wheel drive models fare a bit worse, but not bad overall at 25 MPG city and 34 MPG highway, but for the best outcome, the front-wheel drive model gets EPA-estimated ratings of up to 28 MPG city and 39 MPG highway. This configuration features performance that’s rather similar to that of the hybrid model, with a tad less horsepower but up to 14% more torque.
Now, onto the more powerful engine that will give the Camry a muscle to flex, which is the 3.5L V6. Opting for this engine will greatly increase the strength of your vehicle, allowing it to make 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. Compared to the base engine, this V6 has up to 47% more torque throughput and an impressive 49% improvement in horsepower. You may be thinking that fuel efficiency will suffer as a result of this vast performance increase, and you’d be partly right. Yes, it does result in a less efficient vehicle compared to the I-4, and especially the hybrid. However, the Camry still manages to impress us with generally being a fuel-efficient vehicle. Front-wheel drive is the only option here, but don’t worry because you’ll still be getting 22 MPG city and 33 MPG highway, with a combined rating of 26 MPG.
Not Like the Others
A vehicle such as the Camry can only realistically come from a manufacturer with the status and reputation of Toyota. As a manufacturer with a wealth of fans around the world, this didn’t happen overnight. Toyota has been actively making automobiles for the masses since the late 1930s, and they’ve certainly gained the trust of its most dedicated fans. One glance at a dealership lot, you’ll realize that this same high-quality engineering makes its way to every vehicle in Toyota’s lineup. Whether it’s trucks, sedans, hybrids, SUVs, or anything really, Toyota is the brand of choice for millions of drivers.
We’re not kidding; there’s a Toyota vehicle for everyone. We’ve seen our fair share of sedans this year, and while we’ve seen some vehicles that we can wholeheartedly recommend, the Camry sits at the top for every reason we’ve explained so far. I feel that the Camry will be a good fit in the average driver’s life, whether you’re the type to drive on the highway every morning and evening during your commute or a new driver looking for something affordable yet reliable. Drivers should sometimes be cautious when purchasing a new vehicle, but with the 2022 Camry, we don’t see any issues with shelling out for the latest model.
