The 2019 Toyota Camry XSE sedan is the perfect solution for a family man (or woman) that harbors a secret desire to drive a sports car.
First off, it looks the part. My tester received a Blue Streak Metallic coat of paint that highlighted the XSE’s powerful stance, sweeping curves and chiseled surfaces. Sport side-rocker panels and an integrated rear spoiler not only look cool, but redirect airflow to enhance efficiency and performance.
Completing the sleek exterior are 19-inch black machine-finished alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof and dual exhaust with quad chrome tips.
Powered by a 3.5-liter V6, DOHC, 24-valve, D-4S dual injection with dual variable valve timing engine paired with a direct-shift, eight-speed automatic transmission combine to generate 301 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 267 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm.
You’ll quickly forget you’re driving a Camry family sleigh when your foot firmly plants down on the accelerator. The XSE is quick off the line, with power to spare for freeway passing. Best of all, the five-seat Camry delivers 26 miles per gallon fuel economy in combined city/highway driving and 32 mph down the road.
Toyota loads the Camry with standard equipment, but my tester included a couple options. A driver-assist package ($1,550) adds a bird’s-eye view camera, intelligent clearance sonar and rear cross-traffic braking. A navigation package ($1,040) adds Entune premium audio with app suite, dynamic navigation and nine JBL speakers including a subwoofer amplifier.
Interior appointments feature comfortable, leather-trimmed, eight-way adjustable, heated front seats, two USB charge ports, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, CD player, satellite radio, and dual-zone climate control. The panoramic moon roof brings in tons of natural light, with power retractable shades at the ready for those rare days when the sun’s just a little too much.
The XSE is driver-centric, with perfectly placed steering wheel controls, putting control at your fingertips.
Finally, but perhaps most importantly, Toyota’s Safety-Sense suite comes as standard operating equipment. Your most valuable possessions are protected by a pre-collision system with pedestrian protection, full-speed range dynamic cruise control, lane-departure warning alert with steering assist, and automatic high beams.
The government gave the Camry a perfect 5-star rating in every crash test. The nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also gave the Camry perfect marks in all crashworthiness, crash avoidance, headlight and child seat anchor categories. Such sterling safety ratings are rare.
Camry comes in base L ($23,845), LE and SE trim levels. The XSE is the top-of-the-line, fully loaded version, so don’t let its price scare you away.
The Camry XSE is assembled in Georgetown, Ken.
Base Price: $35,520
Price As Driven: $38,872
Base price includes destination charge. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
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