Auto NSider | 2022 Toyota Camry XSE AWD
It’s Kinda’ Ironic….
Yes…It strikes me a bit ironic that as America moves further and further towards all kinds and sizes of Sport Utility vehicles, sedans have gotten sooo much better over the past few years…and our test Camry is a perfect example.
Not too many years ago, your average Mercedes wouldn’t have had today’s Camry’s level of poise and refinement…and of course, nowhere near its electronics.
We tested a somewhat basic “SE” a year ago and came away quite impressed with what you can get today for less than 30 thousand.
This week we kicked it up a couple notches and tested an upscale XSE with all-wheel drive and a higher level of content including a sport-tuned suspension, 19” black alloys, LED lighting, dual exhausts with quad tips, and heated front leather seating. That’ll only move you up into the low $30’s.
Then we added ventilated front seating, heated steering, Nav, JBL premium audio, a moonroof, and some special paint and trim and wound up with an attractive well-equipped and smooth-handling four-door sedan that was still priced under 40 thousand.
There’s an almost head-spinning 13 different Camrys to choose from these days including hybrids. Other than the hybrids, tho’, they’ll all come with either a 205 HP 2.4liter four or a 3.5 liter 301 HP six.
You’ll get an EPA rated 28 City and 39 Hwy MPGs with the four…25 and 34 if you opt for AWD. You won’t exactly be burning rubber with this combination, but you’ll have a solid, economical and…with the sport suspension…a surprisingly well-handling ride.
If you need more “go”, opt for the six. It’ll cost you roughly three thousand more, but just a few miles per gallon….22 City and 33 Hwy. And if MPG’s are your primary concern, the Hybrid is capable of 44 city and 47 Hwy.
Regardless of which Camry you choose, you’ll have a roomy, quiet, good-handling ride. The hard part will be figuring out just which of the 13 Camrys to choose.
