2017 Toyota Camry XLE Review

The Camry XLE is right for…
People who appreciate the virtues of a midsize sedan and want one that excels at them all. Camry is America’s No.1-selling car and the XLE is a compelling choice, the rare example of a top-of-the-line model that’s also the best value in the line.

Pros include…
The high ratings for quality, dependability, and comfort earned by every Camry. Resale value and safety ratings are strong, as well. To these assets, the XLE ladles on the amenities that make a car inviting to drive and easy to live with. It’s one of the dwindling number of midsize sedans still available with a V-6 engine as an alternative to a four-cylinder. And it comes standard with such upgrades as leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless cellphone charging, keyless entry with pushbutton start, and a newly upgraded version of Toyota’s Entune infotainment system with GPS navigation that operates through a smartphone application called Navigation Scout.

Cons include…
An image as an emotion-free transportation appliance. Indeed, every Camry emphasizes quietness and ride comfort over sporty road manners, although the luxury-flavored XLE has a handling-tuned counterpart, the XSE, that takes a stab at appealing to driving enthusiasts. Fuel-economy ratings are a little below the class average, at 27 mpg city-highway combined with the four-cylinder, 24 mpg combined with the V-6. And this 2012-2017 Camry design generation is being replaced for model-year 2018 by an all-new Camry with different styling and fresher technology.

It costs…
The same as the 2016 model. To entice buyers who might wait for the 2018 redesign, Toyota holds the line on prices for every 2017 Camry. Including the $835 destination fee, the XLE starts at $27,145 with the four-cylinder and $32,205 with the V-6. Those suggested retail prices are very competitive with those of top rivals, but ample dealer supply and generous factory incentives spell juicy discounts on Camrys. Pricing service Truecar says ‘17 XLEs sell for an average of 16 percent below base price. That’s double the discount Truecar reports for the similarly positioned Honda Accord EX-L.

The best options are…
The only Camry models available with the Advanced Technology Package are the XLE and XSE and with it they earn coveted “Top Safety Pick+” status from the Insurance institute for Highway Safety. Smartly priced at $750, the package’s key component is front-collision-mitigating automatic emergency braking, but it also includes adaptive cruise control to maintain a set distance from traffic ahead and lane-departure alert. Blind-spot monitoring to warn of unseen vehicles in the next lane is $500 well spent. To option a four-cylinder XLE with some features standard with the V-6 you’ll need the $845 Convenience Package, which includes keyless entry with pushbutton start, and the $915 power moonroof.

The least essential options are…
The V-6 is available only on the XLE and XSE and just 10 percent of buyers order it. With 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque, the performance advantages over the four’s 178 horses and 170 pound-feet are evident. But the four’s capabilities are perfectly compatible with Camry’s role, and the V-6’s $5,060 premium is a little steep, even if it does come with additional equipment. Adding onboard navigation to the Entune infotainment suite costs $710 and includes a premium JBL audio system. Imbedding navigation lets you maintain GPS mapping in the absence of a cell signal. But Navigation Scout works well enough otherwise to make the point debatable.

The Camry XLE is better than the…
Nissan Altima SL, which feels less polished and suffers poorer powertrain refinement; the Ford Fusion SE, which handles well but is less spacious; and the Hyundai Sonata Limited, which costs more and has even less precise steering.

The Camry XLE is not as good as the…
Honda Accord EX-L, which is the segment’s all-around gold standard; the Chevrolet Malibu 2LT, fully redesigned for 2016 and boasting a terrific turbocharged four-cylinder engine; and the Mazda 6 Grand Touring, a stylistic tour de force and the best handling car in the class.

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