2011 Toyota Camry

We would recommend the 2011 Camry LE trim along with the premium optional features for a decent experience. Furthermore, the SE trim is best suited with the V6 motor to experience a sporty driving experience. Add to it the optional 6-speed manual setup, and it is full-on a value for money proposition.

The 2011 Toyota Corolla is offered in a total of four trim levels which are Base, LE, SE, and XLE. The Camry sedan gets two powertrain choices, a base I-4 or a bigger V6 along with two transmission options as well. The top-end XLE doesn’t get the manual transmission even as an option while the Base trim cannot be equipped with the V6 too. The price starts at $20,195 and goes all the way up to $29,845 for the top-end XLE equipped with the V6.

The SE trim is the sole offering that comes with a sport-tuned suspension system for sportier handling and performance when paired with the V6 motor. There are also some trim-specific options such as a sunroof, navigation system, keyless entry and ignition, and heating function for the front seats.

The 2011 Toyota Camry gets a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline motor in its base form. The motor dishes out a maximum of 169 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of maximum torque. As compared to other four-pot motors in the segment, the Camry’s unit has excellent refinement and linear power delivery to justify the plush and comfortable ride of the car. Even though the driving dynamics of the lower models can be a turn-off for enthusiasts the SE trim offers a stiffer suspension setup and a power output bump of 10 horsepower to offer a sporty experience.

The motor is paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic unit. While the manual is fun to drive, the automatic unit is more convenient and hassle-free in city traffic conditions. Moreover, an optional 3.5L V6 is also on offer that pumps out 268 horses. The 2011 Toyota Camry's 0-60 mph time and the standing quarter-mile time are quite competent for the segment and can be clocked in 8.4 and 16.7 seconds, respectively.

The Chevrolet Malibu gets a powertrain of similar size to the Camry and generates identical horsepower but a slightly lesser torque output. The Ford Fusion has significantly higher power and torque output but is only marginally quicker than the Camry and the Malibu clocking 8.1 seconds to the 60mph mark. The Nissan Altima has the highest torque output here but disappoints with its CVT transmission.

The 2011 Toyota Camry gas mileage ratings are strong and competent as opposed to the rivals in the segment. The Camry sedan returns an average of 22 MPG within the urban limits while an impressive 33 MPG out on the highways. The combined mileage is rated at 26 MPG. It also gets a sizable 18.5 gallons gas tank and offers some impressive driving range numbers as well.

The Chevrolet Malibu returns identical fuel efficiency figures to the Camry but has a smaller fuel tank, resulting in a lower combined range of 416 miles. The Ford Fusion has marginally lower highway and combined mileage ratings as compared to the Camry while the Nissan Altima triumphs over the rivals here with impressive mileage ratings and a sizable 20 gallons gas tank.

The 2011 Toyota Camry's interior is spacious and cozy yet quite straightforward. The base trim and the LE trim are quite less-equipped feature-wise but the comfort levels and the practicality remains intact. The climate control knobs and the audio control knobs do get cool ice-blue backlighting that looks refreshing at night. The seats are wide enough and offer excellent comfort with power adjustments right from the LE trim. The faux-wood trims on the top-end XLE trim look quite premium and the reclining rear seats are a rare find in this segment. The Camry's cargo capacity is decent too at 15 cu-ft.

The Chevrolet Malibu is quite spacious too with adequate headroom and legroom for both the front and rear passengers. The Ford Fusion gets the most stylish cabin which is comfortable as well and has a generous 16.5 cu-ft of trunk space. The Nissan Altima has a premium cabin with a segment-leading headroom for the front seat passengers but the cabin is quite bland and dull as compared to the rivals here.

The 2011 Toyota Camry comes with a very basic infotainment system in its base trim and offers only a six-speaker CD audio system and an auxiliary audio input jack. Only the top-end XLE trim gets a fair amount of infotainment and entertainment features such as a premium JBL audio system, CD-changer, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and satellite radio.

Some infotainment features on offer are:

• 8-speaker JBL Audio system
• Bluetooth hands-free phone & music streaming
• SiriusXM satellite radio w/3 months subscription
• USB port w/iPod connectivity
• 6-disc in-dash CD changer

The 2011 Toyota Camry exterior is quite subtle and has a straightforward design language. It is not ugly though and has a sleek front grille design nicely flanked by stretched headlamp units. The side profile is neat with no unnecessary lines or creases on the sheet metal and the rear end looks smart too with a similar taillight design to the headlamp units. The Camry's ground clearance on offer is decent too at 5.5 inches.

The Chevrolet Malibu looks a bit more stylish than the Camry but lacks the sleek and straightforward appeal of the latter which is preferred by a fair share of buyers in the segment. The Ford Fusion looks the part with a premium design language that has a distinctive style statement to it. The Nissan Altima tries to look smart with a sleek grille but the overall design turns out to be unappealing when compared to the rest of the rivals here. In terms of dimensions, the 2011 Malibu is the largest sedan on offer and sports a wheelbase of 112.3 inches, while the Ford Fusion sports the highest ground clearance of 6.4 inches.

.Some exterior features on offer are:

• Integrated fog lights
• Chrome door handles
• High solar energy-absorbing glass
• Moonroof
• 16-inch steel wheels

The 2011 Toyota Camry comes with a solid safety quotient and has bagged some impressive crash scores as well. The NHTSA gave it a 4-star rating out of 5 while the IIHS gave it a “Good” rating in most of the crash-test parameters. Apart from these, the sedan also comes standard with brake assist, stability control, front-seat side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags.

Some other safety features on offer are:

• Vehicle stability control w/off switch
• Traction control 
• Cruise control
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution
• Driver & passenger front and seat-mounted side advanced airbags w/occupant sensor
• Front & rear side curtain and Driver knee airbag airbags

2011 Toyota Camry vs 2011 Chevrolet Malibu

In the midsize sedan segment, the competition between every vehicle is fierce, and seldom would buyers find a disappointing option. A similar statement is true for the 2011 Toyota Camry and 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, both of which are impressive performers. They average similar results in the acceleration tests, are capaciously built, and bestow a balanced ride quality to the buyers.

They provide ample value to the buyers, however, the Japanese sedan does gain a slight advantage over Chevrolet, with its impressive feature list and better efficiency and range. So, in direct comparison, the Toyota Camry is a more comprehensive choice, but it leads the segment only diminutively.

2011 Toyota Camry vs 2011 Ford Fusion

The 2011 Ford Fusion is a highly novel proposition that rides on a new platform after its overhaul in the previous model year. It promises an impressive performance with its quick acceleration, higher cargo capacity, and impressive ride quality. However, it does fall short on cabin ergonomics and fuel efficiency when pitted directly against Toyota’s prime offering.

Nonetheless, it is a comprehensive option that provides the best bang for the buck with its affordable pricing. So, in most ways, the Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion are evenly matched. Consequently, we feel that the winner between these sedans would be best adjudicated keeping the subjective interest of the buyers in mind.

Overall, the 2011 Toyota Camry is a solid contender in the segment as opposed to its rivals and more so owing to the brand’s superior reliability. The sedan offers a comfortable cabin with a decent amount of features and a soft-tuned suspension system, making the ride quality that much more refined. For enthusiasts, there is an optional V6 that offers excellent power and fuel efficiency as well. So all-in-all a definite good deal.