2
0
Midsize car; Built in USA
  • 4-door sedan
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $9,800 – $21,500*


2008 Toyota Camry


2008 Toyota Camry


2008 Toyota Camry


2008 Toyota Camry

Pros:
  • Acceleration (V6)
  • Control layout
  • Fuel economy (Hybrid)
  • Interior materials
  • Ride
  • Seat comfort (front)
Cons:
  • Acceleration (passing power w/4-cylinder/automatic)
  • Cargo room
  • Workmanship of some test examples

Camry is a perennial favorite among midsize cars, and the redesigned 2007s improved on a winning formula. This is still no excitement machine–not even the sporty SE version. Worse yet, recent test examples have suffered uncharacteristic lapses in materials and workmanship. Even so, every Camry continues to be a class benchmark for powertrain, chassis refinement, and passenger comfort. Toyota’s record of strong resale value keeps used-Camry prices on the heftier side.

Overview

America’s best-selling car was redesigned for 2007 with new styling, more power and features. For the first time, a gas/electric hybrid model was offered. Still midsize with front-wheel drive, Camry’s overall length was unchanged versus the 2002-2006 generation, but wheelbase grew by 2.2 inches and height decreased an inch. Curtain side airbags were now standard instead of optional.

The Camry lineup included the price-leader CE model, volume LE, sporty SE, and luxury XLE. Each came with a 158-horsepower four-cylinder engine that used a five-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic. LE, SE, and XLE sedans offered the alternative of a 268-hp V6, with a six-speed automatic transmission. Camry’s previous V6 made 210 horsepower and used a five-speed automatic.

The Hybrid teamed a four-cylinder gas engine with a battery-powered electric motor for 187 horsepower. Like Toyota’s other hybrids, it could run on one or both of its power sources, depending on driving conditions, and required no plug-in charging. Hybrids used a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Antilock braking was standard on all Camrys. So were front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and for the first time, a driver’s knee airbag. The Hybrid added traction/antiskid control, which was available for other models. SEs had a firmer suspension and, like the Hybrid, specific interior and exterior trim. A split-folding rear seat was standard except in the SE, which had a center pass-through. Leather upholstery was standard in the XLE V6 and optional for SE and four-cylinder XLE models. A navigation system with wireless cell phone link was optional for SE, XLE, and Hybrid models; so were heated seats. A newly available keyless entry/starting system was included in the Hybrid, and optional for the XLE V6. Competitors included the archrival Honda Accord, as well as the Nissan Altima, and new-for-2007 Saturn Aura.

Yearly Updates

2008 Camry
A newly available keyless-entry/starting system became standard in the Hybrid and available for the XLE V6.
2009 Camry
Camry was unchanged for 2009.
2010 Camry
The 2010 Toyota Camry received freshened styling and more 4-cylinder power. All Camry models were available with a new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, which replaced a 2.4-liter engine.
2011 Camry
The 2011 Toyota Camry is largely unchanged following its freshening for the 2010 model year.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Toyota’s four-cylinder Camry engine produced 158 horsepower, mating with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. Only a six-speed automatic was available with the 268-horsepower V6 engine. In the Camry Hybrid, a 187-horsepower four-cylinder engine worked with batteries and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). For 2010, Camry was available with a new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, which replaced a 2.4-liter engine.

dohc I4/electric2
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.4/144
Engine HP 147
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 138
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
CVT automatic

 33/34

 30
dohc I41
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.4/144
Engine HP 158
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 161
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
5-speed automatic 		21/31
21/31
dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.5/153
Engine HP 179
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 171
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed manual
6-speed automatic 		22/33
22/32
dohc V61
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.5/211
Engine HP 268
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 248
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic

 19/28

 22.5

1. EPA Note: Figures shown are for 2008 models. The Environmental Protection Agency changed its procedure for 2008 to yield more realistic estimates. Therefore, estimated mileage is lower than for prior years. 2. Hybrid Note: Gasoline engine and electric motor provide total output of 187 horsepower.

Road Test

Four-cylinder Camrys furnish adequate go-power with either transmission. A test LE automatic accelerated to 60 mph in 10.1 seconds. However, they feel taxed with automatic when attempting quick acceleration in the 35-55 mph range. V6 versions are impressively strong in all situations. A test XLE V6 reached 60 mph in a brisk 6.2 seconds. The V6’s six-speed automatic transmission is sometimes hesitant to kick down for passing power.

Hybrids are sleepy on takeoff, but build speed quickly. A test Hybrid accelerated to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds–markedly quicker than a regular four-cylinder model. Still, throttle response at low and midrange speeds lags as the CVT summons engine power.

Fuel economy scores high with the Hybrid; less so with V6 engines. SE V6 sedans have averaged 22.0 to 22.5 mpg in testing with a slight majority of highway driving. XLE V6s averaged 17.9 mpg in mixed city/highway driving that included gas-eating acceleration tests. Four-cylinder models averaged 26.2 mpg in mostly highway driving, 19.0 mpg in testing that also included acceleration runs. Test Hybrids averaged 28.6 to 31.2 mpg in city/highway driving, 35.0 mpg with more highway use. All engines use regular-grade gasoline.

Ride comfort is generally satisfying. All models are comfortably absorbent, even on severely cratered roads. On the down side, all but the SE suffer moderate float over large humps and dips at highway speeds. With its firmer suspension, the SE has better body control, but thumps a bit more over sharp bumps on its 17-inch tires.

Camry’s are confident and predictable at moderate speeds, but (except for the SE) spoiled by marked cornering lean from their comfort-biased suspensions. SEs lean less, and feel more composed at speed. Other models feel slightly clumsy in fast turns. Steering on all but the Hybrid is accurate and responsive, if a bit overboosted and numb (in the opinion of some testers). Hybrid steering also lacks feel, and has inconsistent boost and delayed response. One test Hybrid suffered an alarming creaking noise from the steering column during cornering. Brakes provide smooth, ample stopping power.

Wind rush is most noticeable at highway speeds. Tire thrum annoys on coarse pavement. Four-cylinder engines, including the Hybrid’s, suffer moderate high-rpm roar but are otherwise unobtrusive. The silken V6 is very quiet in all but full-throttle acceleration, though one test model suffered from a rough idle.

Toyota’s usual large, legible gauges are accompanied by a control layout that’s logical after brief acclimation. Legibility is good in daylight, but uneven backlighting at night makes instruments harder to decipher. The Hybrid replaces other models’ tachometer with an unhelpful “power” gauge and has a center dashboard screen for displaying power-flow and fuel-economy data. The climate display panel becomes difficult to read in bright light. Toyota’s available navigation system is intuitive, but absorbs and complicates some audio functions. Cabin materials are generally solid and serviceable, with many soft-touch surfaces and tasteful faux metal or wood trim. Sadly, many test cars have disappointed with unsightly seams, misaligned plastic panels, and assorted squeaks and rattles.

Front headroom is six-footer adequate, even beneath the sunroof housing. Occupants enjoy fine legroom on well-shaped, comfortably padded seats. The steering wheel telescopes as well as tilts, helping to fine-tune the driving stance, complemented by ample seat settings. Styling slightly impedes visibility aft and to the right-rear, but sightlines are clear elsewhere.

Rear seats offer ample legroom and knee space even for six-footers. Headroom is less generous, but acceptable. So is cabin width for three-abreast travel. The seat cushion isn’t long enough for best support. Entry/exit is easy despite slightly narrow thresholds.

All models have usefully shaped trunks, though sickle-shaped lid hinges intrude and the trunk opening is too small for really bulky items. Note that the Hybrid has only 10.6 cubic feet of trunk volume, versus 15 in other models. All except the SE and XLE have folding rear seatbacks with handy in-trunk releases. SE sedans have a fixed seatback with center pass-through. The XLE 40/20/40 folding seatbacks, with manual recline feature, also have a pass-through. Cabin storage is ample in all models.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2008 Camry SE V6

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 7
70%
Fuel Economy - 6
60%
Ride Quality - 7
70%
Steering/Handling - 6
60%
Quietness - 6
60%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Front - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Rear - 6
60%
Cargo Room - 4
40%

Other

Value - 7
70%

Total: 63

Specifications

4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
109.3 189.2 71.7 57.5
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
15.0 18.5 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.8 37.8 41.6 38.3
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2008 Camry 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Front Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Rear Passenger Injury - 5
100%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Air conditioner
Description: Air from the rear center A/C vents may blow warmer than the front and revised servo motors and A/C amplifiers corrected this. (2007)
Brakes
Description: Rear brakes squeal and tend to wear prematurely. (2007-08)
Brakes
Description: The brakes may vibrate or shudder and new pads are available that are less likely to damage the brake rotors. (2007-09)
Suspension noise
Description: The rear suspension may make noises, especially going over bumps in cold weather, requiring improved sway bar bushings. (2007)
Water leak
Description: Water leaks at the headliner or either front floor may be due to the sunroof drain hose(s) coming loose and improved clamps must be installed. (2004-07)
Battery
Description: The battery may go dead overnight due to failure of the remote start control module. (2007)
Check-engine light
Description: Vehicles with the 3.5L V6 engine may illuminate the check engine light due to a problem with the variable valve timing camshaft timing oil control valve. (2007-08)
Fuel door
Description: The check engine light may illuminate due to the fuel cap not seating properly so the cap and fuel filler pipe must be replaced. (2007-09)

Recall History

2007 Camry
Description: Some inflators for side, curtain and knee airbag assemblies may lack sufficient heating agent for proper airbag deployment.
2007-08 Camry
Description: Improperly-secured optional-accessory floor mat could cause accelerator pedal to become stuck, temporarily, in partially depressed position.
2007-10
Description: Due to the manner in which the friction lever interacts with the sliding surface of the accelerator pedal inside the pedal sensor assembly, the accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal, which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly.
2007-2009 Camry
Description: Power window master switch assemblies may malfunction and overheat due to irregularities in the lubrication process during assembly.
2009 Camry
Description: Silicone grease may have contacted the stop lamp switch during assembly, triggering warning lamps, no-start condition, immovable shift lever, or inoperative brake lights.
2010
Description: The length of the power steering pressure hose on vehicles equipped with the 4-cylinder (2AR-FE) engine may be insufficient, such that the gap between the crimp on the pressure hose and the brake tube for the left rear brake may be insufficient. Under these circumstances the brake tube may interfere with the crimp and may wear and then perforate. A brake tube perforation may result in brake fluid leakage, impacting brake performance and increasing the risk of a crash. Toyota will notify owners and, if necessary, dealers will replace or adjust the brake tube free of charge.
2010-2011 Camry
Description: Inaccurate label lists an inaccurate amount of allowable added weight.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 30, 2014.
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