The Toyota Camry has long held its position as a top-selling passenger car, a testament to its reliability and broad appeal. The 2016 model year continued this trend, with the Camry maintaining impressive sales figures. While often praised for its dependability, the Camry isn’t always associated with excitement. However, the 2016 Toyota Camry SE Special Edition aimed to inject some enthusiasm into the lineup. As a car mechanic and content creator for cardiagnosticnearme.com, I’m taking a closer look at this specific model, focusing on what makes it stand out and providing insights relevant to car enthusiasts and potential buyers alike.
2016 Toyota Camry SE Special Edition
Styling and Special Edition Enhancements
The current generation Camry, including the 2016 model, sports a design that many find appealing. In my professional opinion, the styling is indeed a step up, offering a more refined and less bulky aesthetic compared to some of its competitors. The 2016 Camry successfully incorporates smoother lines and subtle black accents, contributing to its status as arguably the most visually attractive Camry to date. While subjective, the design certainly holds its own in the competitive midsize sedan market, although the Mazda6 is often cited as a benchmark in automotive styling.
The Special Edition package takes the Camry’s looks further. The standout feature is the “Blue Streak Metallic” paint, a vibrant and eye-catching color. Beyond the paint, the package includes distinctive black and silver alloy wheels, adding a touch of sporty sophistication. A rear spoiler and sunroof are also part of the upgrade, enhancing both the visual appeal and driving experience. Inside, the Special Edition continues the blue theme with seat inserts, stitching, dashboard accents, and even blue gauge cluster markings. While predominantly blue, the interior design is well-integrated and avoids being overwhelming, creating a cohesive and unique cabin environment. While other exterior colors were available for this package, the blue truly maximizes its visual impact.
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Engine and Performance
Under the hood, the 2016 Camry SE Special Edition features Toyota’s reliable 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, also found in models like the RAV4. This engine delivers 178 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that includes paddle shifters, the powertrain offers a balanced driving experience.
Interestingly, while this engine might feel somewhat underpowered in a larger vehicle like the RAV4, it feels surprisingly responsive and energetic in the Camry. It’s not a sports car, but for daily driving and typical commutes, acceleration is more than adequate. The transmission shifts smoothly and efficiently, and the paddle shifters provide a degree of driver engagement. While the gear selector is functional, enthusiasts might prefer a shift pattern more aligned with performance driving, similar to Mazda’s setup where forward is for downshifts and back for upshifts. This is a minor detail, but one that can enhance the sporty feel.
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Ride, Handling, and Fuel Efficiency
The Camry SE Special Edition benefits from a sport-tuned suspension, a feature shared with the regular SE trim. While Toyota’s specific tuning details aren’t extensively publicized, the result is a noticeable improvement in handling. The steering, while still exhibiting the typical electric power steering numbness, is direct and offers decent feedback and weight. The suspension effectively minimizes body roll during cornering, providing a planted and controlled feel. This sportier setup does result in a slightly firmer ride compared to non-SE Camrys, but the trade-off is minimal and doesn’t compromise overall ride comfort significantly. A key positive is the absence of a selectable “sport mode”; the car is always in a state that leans towards a more engaging driving dynamic, which is a welcome approach for a sporty trim.
Despite its enhanced driving dynamics, the 2016 Camry SE remains fuel-efficient. EPA ratings are 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, with a combined 28 mpg. Real-world testing has shown even better results, with some drivers achieving over 30 mpg in mixed driving conditions. This balance of performance and economy is a strong selling point for the Camry.
Interior Comfort and Practicality
The interior of the 2016 Camry is spacious, comfortably accommodating four adults. The front seats are well-designed, and the 8-way power driver’s seat allows for easy customization to find a comfortable driving position. The steering wheel is substantial, offering good grip and leather trim. The dashboard layout is clean and straightforward, featuring a large center console and a cell phone storage area with Qi wireless charging. It’s worth noting that larger smartphones might not fit optimally in the charging cubby, but standard-sized phones should pose no issue.
The infotainment system is consistent with Toyota’s user interface, similar to what was found in the RAV4 of the same era. While the test vehicle lacked the JBL premium sound system option, the standard audio system was surprisingly impressive, delivering above-average sound quality for a factory setup. Standard features for the Camry SE include expected amenities like cruise control, power windows and locks, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and navigation. A notable omission is automatic climate control, which is often expected in vehicles in this price range. Manual climate controls are functional and offer direct adjustments, but automatic climate control is a feature many consumers appreciate for convenience.
For practicality, the Camry offers a large trunk with 60/40 split-folding rear seats. However, the trunk pass-through is somewhat narrow, and the seats don’t fold completely flat. The absence of a ski pass-through might be a minor drawback for some, but the overall trunk volume is generous enough for most needs, minimizing the need to fold down the seats regularly.
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Pricing and Market Comparison
The base price for the 2016 Toyota Camry SE Special Edition was around $25,715, with the as-tested price reaching approximately $27,075 including options and destination charges. When compared to competitors, the Camry SE falls into a slightly higher price bracket relative to other sporty midsize sedans with four-cylinder engines. Models like the Mazda6 and Honda Accord Sport could be had for less, especially when considering manual transmission options. However, when comparing automatic versions, the pricing becomes more comparable, though competitors might offer more features or power for a similar price.
In a direct comparison with the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima SR, the Camry holds its own, particularly due to its conventional automatic transmission versus the CVT found in some competitors. While CVTs have improved, a traditional automatic is still preferred by many for its driving feel. The Mazda6 remains a strong contender for those prioritizing sporty driving dynamics, and the Ford Fusion SE, with its available turbocharged engines, offers more power options in the same price range.
Final Verdict: Buy It
On a scale of “Buy It, Lease It, Rent It, or Forget It,” the 2016 Toyota Camry SE Special Edition earns a Buy It.
This special edition Camry demonstrates that Toyota can blend its renowned quality and reliability with a genuinely enjoyable driving experience. It’s a car that looks good, is fun to drive, achieves excellent fuel economy, and is reasonably priced within its segment. The Special Edition package successfully elevates the Camry beyond its reputation for being solely practical and dependable, adding a layer of desirability and flair.
Looking ahead, the introduction of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform in subsequent Camry models, starting with the 2018 generation, promised further improvements in driving dynamics, building upon the foundation laid by models like this 2016 SE Special Edition. For anyone considering a reliable, stylish, and surprisingly engaging midsize sedan, the 2016 Toyota Camry SE Special Edition is definitely worth considering, especially in the used car market where it offers excellent value.
