The Toyota Camry has long reigned as America’s best-selling passenger car, a testament to its reliability and practicality. With over 400,000 units sold last year alone, it’s clear the Camry resonates with a vast audience. While known for its dependability, the Camry hasn’t always been associated with excitement. That’s where the Camry Sport, particularly models like the SE Special Edition, aims to change perceptions.
Having never personally experienced the ubiquitous Camry, I was intrigued when a 2016 Toyota Camry SE Special Edition arrived for review. Could this popular sedan actually deliver a sporty driving experience?
Stylistically, the current generation Camry presents a compelling design. In my view, it surpasses its main rival, the Honda Accord, in visual appeal. Where previous Accords felt somewhat bulky, the Camry embraces smoother lines and subtle black accents, resulting in arguably the most attractive Camry iteration to date. Of course, for sheer aesthetic allure, the Mazda6 remains a benchmark in the sedan segment, regardless of price point.
Blue Toyota Camry SE Special Edition parked outdoors
The Special Edition package elevates the Camry’s inherent attractiveness with the striking Blue Streak Metallic paint. Complementing this vibrant hue are eye-catching black and silver alloy wheels, a subtle rear spoiler, and a sunroof. Inside, the sporty theme continues with blue seat inserts, blue stitching throughout the cabin, blue dashboard accents, and even blue detailing on the gauge cluster. While undeniably blue-centric, the execution is tasteful and cohesive, enhancing the overall sporty ambiance. Although other exterior colors are available with the package, the blue undeniably maximizes its visual impact.
Under the hood, the Camry Sport SE Special Edition houses the familiar 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, also found in models like the Toyota RAV4. This engine produces 178 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 170 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission featuring paddle shifters.
While this engine felt somewhat underwhelming in the RAV4, in the Camry Sport, it exhibits a surprisingly lively and responsive character. Of course, it’s not going to challenge high-performance sports cars, but it delivers ample acceleration for everyday driving and even spirited maneuvers. The transmission shifts smoothly and quickly, responding effectively to both paddle shifter inputs and commands from the leather-wrapped gear lever. For a more engaging driving experience, mirroring Mazda’s approach with a racing-style shift pattern (forward for downshifts, back for upshifts) would be a welcome refinement.
Toyota Camry Sport SE interior showcasing gear shifter and blue accents
The Camry Sport Special Edition benefits from a sport-tuned suspension, shared with the standard SE trim. Regardless of the specific tuning, the result is impressive. The steering, while retaining the typical electric power steering numbness, is direct, accurate, and well-weighted. The suspension keeps the car composed and planted through corners with minimal body roll and commendable control. While there’s a slight compromise in ride comfort, it remains perfectly acceptable for daily driving. Notably, the absence of a selectable “sport mode” is a positive – the Camry Sport feels inherently sporty in its standard configuration, which is a refreshing approach.
Despite its sporty inclinations, the Camry Sport doesn’t abandon its economical roots. It achieves an EPA-rated fuel economy of 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, with a combined 28 mpg. During my week-long test, predominantly consisting of city driving with a moderately heavy foot, the Camry Sport exceeded expectations, averaging over 30 mpg.
The Camry Sport genuinely surprised me with its dynamic capabilities. It’s genuinely enjoyable to drive, which leads to an unavoidable observation: the stubby gear shifter, perfectly sized and positioned, seems almost designed for a manual transmission. Its presence begs for a manual gearbox, hinting at untapped sporty potential. Currently, the Honda Accord Sport and Mazda6 Touring are among the few mid-size sedans offering a manual option. By adding a manual transmission to the Camry Sport SE, Toyota could carve out a unique niche, potentially boosting sales and solidifying its sporty sedan credentials. While already a capable car with the automatic, a manual transmission could truly elevate the Camry Sport to another level of driving engagement.
Toyota Camry Sport SE dashboard and steering wheel highlighting interior design
Interior space is generous, comfortably accommodating four adults. The front seats are supportive, and the eight-way power driver’s seat facilitates finding an ideal driving position. The steering wheel, while broad, offers a comfortable thickness and leather trim. The dashboard design is clean and attractive, featuring a sizable center console and a Qi-compatible wireless charging cubby for smartphones. While my larger iPhone model didn’t quite fit optimally for charging, standard-sized phones should pose no issue.
The infotainment system is consistent with Toyota’s user interface, mirroring that found in the RAV4. Interestingly, despite lacking the optional JBL sound system present in the RAV4 I tested, the Camry Sport’s audio quality was noticeably superior. In fact, it ranks among the best factory sound systems I’ve experienced, subjectively speaking.
The Camry Sport SE includes expected features for its price range, such as cruise control, power windows and locks, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and navigation. However, a notable omission is automatic climate control. While the manual controls are user-friendly and offer direct temperature adjustment, automatic climate control is a common feature in vehicles in the Camry’s price bracket (around $27,000).
The Camry Sport provides a spacious trunk with 60/40 split-folding rear seats. However, the trunk passthrough is somewhat narrow, and the seats don’t fold completely flat. The absence of a ski passthrough might be a minor drawback for winter sports enthusiasts, although the trunk’s overall capacity likely negates the need to fold the seats for most everyday cargo.
The base price for the Camry SE Special Edition starts at $25,715, reaching $27,075 with options like the upgraded stereo and destination charges.
When positioned against its sporty, four-cylinder midsize sedan rivals, the Camry Sport SE’s value proposition becomes slightly less compelling. The Mazda6 and Accord Sport, both available with manual transmissions, can be acquired for less. Comparing automatic versions, these competitors offer similar pricing but potentially more features or horsepower.
However, in a direct comparison against the Accord (and the Nissan Altima SR), the Camry Sport holds a slight edge, primarily due to its conventional automatic transmission, outperforming CVTs in driving feel. While the Mazda6 remains a top choice for driving enthusiasts, the Ford Fusion SE, priced similarly, offers more powerful turbocharged engine options.
On the TFLcar scale of Buy It, Lease It, Rent It, or Forget It, the 2016 Toyota Camry SE Special Edition earns a Buy It!
With the SE Special Edition, Toyota has successfully injected genuine sportiness into the Camry, moving beyond its established reputation for reliability. This Camry Sport is genuinely fun to drive, visually appealing, fuel-efficient, and reasonably priced.
My only reservation is whether this sportiness is solely attributable to the Special Edition package. I’m eager to experience future Camry models, particularly the upcoming 2018 generation built on the TNGA platform, which has already enhanced the Prius’s driving dynamics. Hopefully, this newfound sporty character will continue to evolve and improve.
If you are looking for a reliable and sporty sedan, the Camry Sport is worth considering. For any car maintenance or diagnostic needs, remember to visit cardiagnosticnearme.com for expert solutions.
