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The Toyota Camry hasn’t changed much between the 2022 and 2021 versions. The most noticeable change is the price increase of about $800 on average across the
trims
and some minor technological differences. The Toyota Camry has been a popular mid-size sedan since it was first released in 1983. Over the years, it has gone through many changes. With the 40th anniversary right around the corner, it’s no surprise that there hasn’t been much change between the 2021 and 2022 versions of the car, other than the obvious price increase.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the differences between the two model years before you take out a
car loan
on one, keep reading below.Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers2022 Toyota Camry vs. 2021 Toyota Camry: what’s the difference?
The honest answer: Not much at all. The Camry went through a redesign in 2021, and Toyota has obviously judged it to be a success. That means that visually and stylistically the Camry hasn’t experienced a change.
This also means that the pricing is the most noticeable difference for the model years. That being said, the Camry offers an excellent option for anyone seeking a mid-size sedan. Both model years are tied for first on the J.D. Power mid-size rating of their respective years with the
Nissan Altima
being the only other sedan to stay at the top rating across both years.Pricing
The pricing for the 2022 Toyota Camry increased in price by $800 on the base model. The other trim levels have changed by similar amounts. See the chart below to check out the pricing of the available trim levels.
Model | 2022 MSRP | 2021 MSRP |
|---|---|---|
Toyota Camry LE | $26,870 | $26,070 |
Toyota Camry SE | $28,410 | $27,585 |
Toyota Camry SE Nightshade | $29,110 | $28,285 |
Toyota Camry XLE | $31,620 | $30,970 |
Toyota Camry XSE | $32,170 | $31,520 |
Toyota Camry TRD | $33,935 | $33,285 |
Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversThese price increases are common on all vehicles. Toyota is a slightly pricier non-luxury vehicle, in part because of its reliability and longevity.
General specs
Even with the increase in price, there isn’t any change in the general specifications of the Toyota Camry. This goes for the hybrid options as well. Even the upgraded engine in the TRD trim level remains the same across the two years.
If you weren’t aware of the model year of the vehicle you were seeing, it’d be difficult to tell the two apart. The Toyota Camry received a facelift in 2021, and it has continued in that vein for the 2022 model. You’d have to go back to the 2020 to see at least a visual difference in the popular sedan.
Check out the table below for more specs.
2022 Toyota Camry | 2021 Toyota Camry | |
|---|---|---|
Base engine | 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (203 horsepower) | 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (203 horsepower) |
Upgrade engine (TRD trim) | 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine (301 horsepower) | 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine (301 horsepower) |
Hybrid engine | 2.5/3.5-liter four-cylinder (208 horsepower) | 2.5-liter four-cylinder (208 horsepower) |
Transmission | Eight-speed shiftable automatic | Eight-speed shiftable automatic |
Drivetrain | Front-wheel Drive (FWD) with All-wheel Drive (AWD) available | Front-wheel Drive (FWD) with All-wheel Drive (AWD) available |
Maximum towing capacity | 1,000 lbs | 1,000 lbs |
Fuel economy
With the same powertrain and drivetrain, it’s no surprise that the 2022 and 2021 Camry models get the same fuel economy. This is also due to the fact that nothing changes on the body of the vehicle. The biggest difference here comes from whether you have a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive model.
The front-wheel drive models get a combined 33 mpg. The Camry gets a respectable 28 mpg city driving and an excellent 39 mpg highway.
The all-wheel drive is less fuel efficient, but this is a trade off for better handling. The Camry AWD gets a combined 29 mpg, nearly equivalent to the city driving numbers of the FWD. On the AWD model, you get 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.
Safety ratings
The 2022 and 2021 Toyota Camry are Top Safety Picks of the International Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). They receive a good, the highest rating, on all of the measured areas except for one. The updated side impact test gets a poor rating, which is the worst possible rating.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives both the 2022 and 2021 a five star safety rating. Neither vehicle has had any recalls, which speaks to the longevity and reliability of the vehicles thus far.
MORE: How to find vehicle safety ratings
Styling and interior
There hasn’t been a redesign on the Toyota Camry between 2021 and 2022. Because of this, you’ll find the same exterior styling on the two vehicles, both featuring the glossy black grille with a sport-mesh insert.
The interior styling isn’t much different either. And most of the features are the same. These include:
- 7-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity
- Single zone front climate control
- Keyless ignition
- Transmission, cruise, and audio control on steering wheel
- Adaptive cruise control
- Rear view camera
- Six speaker sound system
The infotainment screen can be upgraded in the 2022 Toyota Camry to a 9- or 10-inch screen. One other minor convenience that you’ll receive in the 2022 Camry and not in the 2021 Camry are the illuminated vanity mirrors. You still get vanity mirrors in the 2022, but there won’t be any lighting if you need it in the dark.
Special edition
There are no special editions of the Toyota Camry in 2022 or 2021 even though the SE trim is short for Special Edition. Both years have the SE Nightshade option, which isn’t considered a special edition because it isn’t limited to one model year.
With 2023 being the 40th anniversary of the Camry, you may want to keep your eyes peeled for a special edition of the model.
Without a special edition or redesign, there’s not much difference between the two model years. But keep your eyes peeled for the 2023 Toyota Camry SE Nightshade Special Edition if you’re in the market for something unique.
2022 Toyota Camry vs. 2021 Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
If you want a new vehicle, the 2022 Toyota Camry will be much easier to find than the 2021 Toyota Camry. But if you’re looking for used vehicles the opposite may ring true.
A lot of this depends on the price point you’re looking for. If you want to save some money, the 2021 Camry is probably a safer bet, but if price isn’t a factor, the newer 2022 will probably last a bit longer for you.
Overall, the option is yours. But either way, you’ll be getting a reliable midsize sedan to get you where you need to go.
MORE: 2021 Toyota Camry vs. 2021 Toyota Corolla
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Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers
By Brian Hicks
Expert Insurance Writer
Reviewed by Lisa Steuer McArdle.
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