2010 Toyota Camry Overview Change Vehicle

This 2010 Toyota Camry overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2010 Camry, and includes Toyota Camry safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

This is a significant year for one of Toyota’s bread-and-butter cars. Like many of the company’s other vehicles, the Camry was caught up in the recall mess. Specifically, certain 2007-10 gas models and 2009 Camry Hybrids were recalled for potentially stuck accelerator pedals. That kind of news surely rattles the confidence of owners and buyers, so Toyota has responded by adding a complimentary free-maintenance plan to every new car sold starting in 2010. Spanning the first two years or 25,000 miles of ownership, the appropriately named Toyota Care service covers oil changes, tire rotations, inspections for wear, and roadside assistance.

That focus on recalls effectively relegates the 2010 Camry’s upgrades to the shadows. Front and rear exterior styling has been tweaked a bit, the alloy wheels are new, and the powertrain lineup is home to a more powerful base engine that can be mated to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift feature. The five-speed manual and five-speed automatic are no longer offered. Perhaps most significant is the addition of standard electronic stability control to every Camry.

There’s a 2010 Camry for most every taste, starting with the affordable base model. Simply referred to as Camry, this entry-level version comes well-equipped with a four-cylinder engine, power windows and door locks, air conditioning, steering wheel audio controls, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, an audio system with a single-disc CD player and auxiliary input jack, and stability control.

The LE moves things just a bit upscale with the addition of a power driver’s seat, keyless entry to go along with the power door locks, and a chrome exhaust tip. A shiny piece of metal protruding from under the rear bumper probably isn’t enough to sway buyers to go with the LE, though the ability to upgrade from the standard four-cylinder engine to a V6 may be.

That six-cylinder can also be bolted under the hood of the relatively sporty 2010 Camry SE. Special features for this model include a retuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels that replace the steel 16-inch rims on the Camry and Camry LE, exterior tweaks like smoked headlights and a body kit, aluminum and leather interior trim, blue Optitron backlighting for the gauges, and unique fabric upholstery.

At the top of the Camry lineup is the upscale XLE, fitted with heated mirrors, woodgrain interior trim, a dual-zone climate control system, a rear sunshade, power-adjustable seats for the driver and front passenger, and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Camry Hybrid combines features and options from the LE and XLE into a unique mix, and is equipped with a gas/electric powertrain.

Among the options available for the 2010 Camry are a JBL sound system, a USB port, a voice-activated navigation system with a rearview camera, a keyless ignition system, heated front seats, and more.

Except for the Hybrid, all 2010 Toyota Camrys are equipped with a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that boasts variable valve timing and direct injection technology. In SE guise, output measures 179 horsepower, whereas other models peak with 169 horses. When coupled with the new six-speed manual, fuel economy is estimated to reach 22 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Opt for the six-speed automatic and the highway rating drops just a hair to 32 mpg.

The optional V6 is not available on the base or Hybrid variants, but does avail LE, SE and XLE buyers to all of its 268 horsepower. This 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine works solely with a six-speed automatic transmission that features a new manual-shift feature for 2010. EPA-rated fuel economy is 19 mpg in city driving and 28 mpg on the highway.

Buyers who opt for the 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid will enjoy up to 33 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Getting the job done is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that teams up with an electric motor, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a continuously variable transmission, and a regenerative braking system. Total output measures 187 horsepower.

Unfortunately, good times don’t always endure. Last year we commended the Camry for earning a top score for reliability by Consumer Reports, but the rating has dropped down to average with 2010’s redesign. J.D. Power and Associates continues to predict better than average reliability, as it has done for the past several years.

On the safety front, the 2010 Camry earns respectable marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has labeled the popular Toyota sedan with its top Good rating for all measurements except rear crash injury protection. Standard safety features include four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, seven airbags, and an electronic stability control system that is now fitted to every new Camry.

Recalls have put a serious dent in the reputation of Toyota models like the Camry, and rightfully so. However, those issues have been addressed, and assuming the underlying problems won’t be repeated, there’s no reason to scratch this sedan off of your shopping list. Granted, a lowered reliability rating from Consumer Reports is something to consider, but so are the 2010 model’s increased power and fuel economy, as well as standard stability control. In many ways, the 2010 model is the best Camry yet.

By Thom Blackett