2013 Toyota Camry

After the complete redesign for the 2012 model year, the 2013 model year sees the inclusion of rear cross-traffic alert functionality with the optional blind-spot monitoring and has also further improved the door trim panels while offering the large touchscreen as standard. With no manual transmission on offer, the base trim starts at $23,045 with a four-cylinder engine which makes it one of the pricier offerings against the other midsize sedans like the Ford Fusion, Chevy Malibu, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima. 

Toyota offers the Camry in four different trims and two engine options with no transmission or transmission choices available. The base L and LE trim feature only the essential features and a couple of convenience features while the higher SE and XLE trims get most creature comforts. The powerful V6 is also available only with the SE and top-spec XLE trim. The SE trim is also the sportier version in this lineup and gets a sport-tuned suspension setup for that extra oomph. 

We Recommend

Since there aren’t many creatures comforts offered with the lower trims and the prices too do not rise considerably with the higher trims, it is recommended to opt for the sportier SE trim for better handling and ride quality and added functionality. Additionally, the V6 engine comes with a handful of additional features and one can also opt for the optional driver safety aids. 

The 2013 Toyota Camry is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine as standard that is rated for 178 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. The higher trims though can also be had with a meatier 3.5-liter V6 engine which produces a healthy 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. Both the engines are mated with a six-speed automatic transmission that sends power only to the front wheels with no AWD option available. 

The performance of the base engine is sufficient for most buyers but does not offer any fun element at all. While the base engine takes 8.4 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill, the 0-60 mph for the V6 engine is also just on par with the segment at 6.6 seconds. The handling is pretty mundane on regular models with no feedback whatsoever from the steering, but the SE trim adds a hint of sportiness to the otherwise no-nonsense executive sedan. 

The Nissan Altima might be the only car here to not have seen a refresh in recent times, but it is very potent in terms of acceleration and is also the most affordable sedan in this comparison. The Ford Fusion too is pretty affordable but then is also the slowest of the lot. Both the Japanese sedans are marginally costly but the Honda Accord is the quickest off the line and is also the most expensive one here. 

Fuel efficiency is one of the biggest selling points for a Toyota Camry and it doesn’t disappoint this year as well. Although it isn’t the most frugal one in the segment, the 28 mpg of fuel economy for a combined city and highway driving puts it higher up in the efficiency rankings. The powerful V6 too is rated for 21/31/25 mpg for city/highway/combined by the EPA which is also above average for the segment. The large 17-gallon fuel tank further aids in this regard, offering over 400 miles of driving range on a single tank of gas even with the V6. 

The Ford Fusion clearly is the one that gulps the most amount of gas amongst all the sedans present here and the smaller gas tank means its driving range is on par with the Camry V6. The oldest Altima still is the most frugal of the lot and also employs the largest gas tank and hence has an exceptional driving range to offer. The Accord sips a bit more fuel than the Altima but is quite frugal than the Camry and also offers a superior range. 

The cabin has received a welcome change after the redesign last year and now with the slim pillar, the car now not only feels roomier, it also offers better outward visibility. The improved materials quality is something that is worth appreciating and the 2013 update sees upgraded materials for the door trim which now complements the stitched dashboard. That being said, the cabin lacks a sense of cohesion as some interior elements still feel a bit cheap to look at and feel.

There have never been any issues regarding the build quality of a Toyota, and the 2013 Camry offers a solid build quality that should outlast the lifetime of the car. In terms of space, the front row has a decent amount of room while the perfectly reclined rear seat offers impressive legroom and headroom and can accommodate even taller passengers rather comfortably. The trunk volume is pretty large and on par with the segment at 15.4 cu-ft and folding down the rear seat can open up even more space when needed. 

The Nissan Altima offers the best front seats in the segment with its class-leading legroom and headroom on offer, but this translates to a compromised space for the rear seat occupants. The Honda Accord offers similar space and comfort as that of the Camry and even has identical boots on offer. Ford Fusion is the king in this regard, offering impressive front and rear-seat legroom while also offering the largest trunk in this comparison. 

• 8-way power driver seat and 4-way adjustable power front passenger seat
• Front heated bucket seats w/driver height adjuster, power driver lumbar support
• 60/40 split-folding rear seat
• Leather seat trim and wood-grain style interior trim w/chrome door handles
• Leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel
• Dual-zone auto climate control w/rear seat vents
• Electrochromic rearview mirror w/compass
• HomeLink universal garage door opener

How intuitive is the 2013 Toyota Camry Sedan’s infotainment unit?

Toyota has made the 6.1-inch Entune touchscreen standard across the trim lineup and features a suite of smartphone-connected services that includes features like the Bing search engine, sports and stock information, fuel prices and also comes with the ability to reserve movie tickets or a table at a restaurant while on the move. Along with satellite radio, Camry also features HD Radio and Pandora internet radio while the navigation system is offered along with real-time traffic. 

• 6.1-inch touchscreen Entune infotainment system
• 6-speaker audio system
• iPod connectivity & control
• SiriusXM satellite radio w/3 months subscription 
• Navigation system w/real-time info for traffic/weather/fuel prices/sports/stocks
• Entune w/3 years subscription 
• HD Radio and Bing & Pandora
• Bluetooth hands-free phone system w/phone book access & music streaming
• Voice recognition

The exterior of the Camry looks pretty sharp and appealing as standard while the SE trim adds a bit more sporty appeal for the ones who want their daily driver to carry them in a bit of style. The sleek swept-back headlamps with the chrome front grille and large air dam below it give the car an aggressive front fascia while the chrome treatment on the sides also adds to the premium feel of the car.

Although the Honda Accord is larger than the Camry, both offer very similar cabin space as both have an identical wheelbase to offer. The Nissan Altima too has a wheelbase identical to its Japanese counterparts and also weighs pretty much the same as the Camry, with the Honda weighing a bit more. The Ford Fusion on the other hand is the largest and heaviest and also has the highest ground clearance on offer. 

• Projector-beam automatic halogen headlamps
• Integrated fog lamps
• Color-keyed heated power mirrors
• Acoustic noise-reducing windshield
• 17-inch alloy wheels

Safety is of paramount importance for all Japanese manufacturers and Toyota is the one setting trends in this regard. Therefore, it shouldn’t be a surprise the great safety ratings the 2013 Toyota Camry has received from both the private and government safety testing agencies. The NHTSA has rated it with a perfect 5-star rating while the IIHS has chosen the Camry as its “Top Safety Pick” for the 2013 model year. There are plenty of safety features available as standard and the optional driver aids take things a step further in terms of providing safe haven for its occupants. 

• Vehicle stability control and Traction control
• Smart stop technology
• Front & rear energy-absorbing crumple zones
• Whiplash-lessening front seats
• Driver & front passenger advanced airbags w/occupant sensor & knee airbags
• Front & rear seat-mounted & side curtain airbags
• Rearview camera
• Tire pressure monitor system

The 2013 Toyota Camry is one of the most exciting prospects in the midsize sedan segment as it is not only spacious and well built, has a good amount of equipment, powerful and frugal powertrains, and decent levels of performance. Add to that the affordable price tag and built to last reliability with low maintenance costs, it is difficult to overlook this car. The Toyota Camry has served hundreds of thousands of families in the past and with the 2013 Camry being such a well-rounded package, it shall continue to do so for a long period of time in the future as well.