The Toyota Camry has long reigned as the best-selling passenger car, a testament to its enduring appeal and reputation. With sales consistently hitting impressive numbers, even surpassing 400,000 units in previous years, the Camry maintains its strong position in the market, fending off challenges from competitors like the Honda Civic. Despite its widespread popularity, many drivers may still be unfamiliar with the nuances of each Camry trim level and special edition. Recently, we had the opportunity to experience the 2016 Toyota Camry Se with the Special Edition package, and it proved to be quite an eye-opener.
When it comes to automotive aesthetics, opinions are often divided, but the current generation Camry presents a compelling and attractive design. In fact, its styling arguably surpasses that of its primary competitor, the Honda Accord. While previous Accord generations sometimes appeared bulky, the Camry embraces smoother contours and strategically incorporates black accents, resulting in arguably the most visually appealing Camry iteration to date. Although the Mazda6 holds a strong position as a style leader in the sedan market, the Camry has undeniably stepped up its design game.
The Special Edition package elevates the Camry’s visual appeal even further, most notably with the striking Blue Streak Metallic paint. Beyond the captivating color, this package adds distinctive black and silver alloy wheels, a rear spoiler that enhances the sporty profile, and a sunroof for an open-air driving experience. Inside, the blue theme continues with seat inserts, stitching, dashboard accents, and even blue detailing on the gauge cluster. While undeniably blue-centric, the execution is tasteful and cohesive, creating a unified and sporty interior ambiance. Although other exterior colors are available with this package, the Blue Streak Metallic undeniably complements the Special Edition’s sporty character best, perhaps justifying a “Blue Package” moniker.
Powering the 2016 Toyota Camry SE is a familiar 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, shared with models like the Toyota RAV4. This engine delivers 178 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 170 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm. It is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that includes paddle shifters for a more engaging driving experience.
While this engine felt somewhat underwhelming in the RAV4, it demonstrates a more energetic and responsive character in the Camry. While not designed for high-performance drag racing, the Camry provides ample acceleration for everyday driving situations. The transmission shifts smoothly and efficiently, and the paddle shifters offer satisfying control for spirited driving. The gear selector also allows for manual shifting, though the shift pattern deviates from the preferred racing style. Drawing inspiration from Mazda, Toyota could enhance the sporty feel by adopting a forward-for-downshifts and back-for-upshifts configuration.
The Camry SE Special Edition benefits from a sport-tuned suspension, a feature shared with the standard SE trim. The specifics of this tuning may be undisclosed, but the result is a noticeable improvement in handling. The steering, while retaining the typical electric power-assisted numbness, is direct and precise with appropriate weight. The suspension effectively minimizes body roll during cornering, maintaining stability and control. This enhanced handling comes with a slight trade-off in ride comfort, but it remains within acceptable limits for daily driving. Notably, the absence of a selectable sport mode is a welcome feature – the car essentially operates in a sporty mode by default, aligning with its SE designation.
Despite its sporty enhancements, the 2016 Toyota Camry SE remains true to its economical sedan roots. It achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, with a combined rating of 28 mpg. During our week-long test drive, predominantly in city driving conditions and with spirited throttle input, the Camry still managed to achieve over 30 mpg, showcasing its impressive real-world fuel efficiency.
The driving dynamics of the Camry were surprisingly engaging. It’s genuinely fun to drive, which brings up an interesting point regarding the gear selector. Its size, shape, and placement strongly suggest its suitability for a manual transmission. The shifter seems almost designed for a manual gearbox, hinting at the untapped potential for a more driver-centric experience. Currently, the Honda Accord Sport and Mazda6 Touring are among the few mid-size sedans offering a manual transmission. Introducing a manual option to the Camry SE could carve out a unique niche, potentially attracting buyers seeking a sporty sedan with manual control and enhancing the Camry’s sporty image. While the automatic version is commendable, a manual transmission could truly unlock the car’s full dynamic potential.
The interior of the 2016 Toyota Camry SE offers generous space for four adults. The front seats are exceptionally comfortable, and the eight-way power driver’s seat facilitates finding an ideal driving position. The steering wheel, while broad, provides a comfortable grip with appropriate thickness and leather trim. The dashboard presents a clean and appealing design, featuring a substantial center console and a Qi-compatible wireless charging cubby for smartphones. However, larger smartphones may not fit optimally within the charging cubby. Standard-sized phones should fit without issue.
The infotainment system mirrors Toyota’s typical interface, similar to that found in the RAV4. Interestingly, despite the test RAV4 featuring an optional JBL sound system, the Camry’s standard audio system delivered superior sound quality. In fact, it stands out as one of the better-sounding factory audio systems in its class, at least to subjective ears.
The Camry SE includes expected features for its price point, such as cruise control, power windows and locks, satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and navigation. One notable omission is automatic climate control. While the manual controls are user-friendly and offer direct control over the HVAC system, automatic climate control is a common feature in vehicles in the Camry’s price range (around $27,000).
The Camry provides a sizable trunk with 60/40 split-folding rear seats. However, the trunk pass-through is somewhat narrow, and the rear seats do not fold completely flat. The absence of a ski pass-through further limits cargo versatility for specific use cases. Despite these minor limitations, the trunk’s overall capacity is ample for most needs, potentially minimizing the need to fold down the rear seats frequently.
The base price for the 2016 Toyota Camry SE Special Edition starts at $25,715, reaching $27,075 with options and destination charges.
When evaluating the Camry SE against its competitors in the sporty four-cylinder mid-size sedan segment, it appears slightly less competitive in terms of value. The Mazda6 and Accord Sport, particularly in manual transmission configurations, can be obtained at a lower price point. Comparing automatic versions, these competitors offer comparable pricing but often include more features and potentially more powerful engines.
However, a direct comparison between automatic-equipped models positions the Camry favorably against the Accord (and the Nissan Altima SR), primarily due to its conventional automatic transmission. While advanced CVTs can outperform subpar automatics, a well-engineered automatic transmission generally offers a more engaging and responsive driving experience. The Mazda6 remains a compelling choice for those prioritizing sporty driving dynamics, while the Ford Fusion SE, at a similar price, offers optional turbocharged engines with greater power.
On the TFLcar scale of Buy It, Lease It, Rent It, or Forget It, the 2016 Toyota Camry SE Special Edition earns a Buy It! recommendation.
With the SE Special Edition, Toyota has successfully created a Camry that appeals beyond its established reputation for reliability. This version is genuinely enjoyable to drive, visually appealing, fuel-efficient, and reasonably priced.
The primary concern is whether the “special” aspect of this Camry is solely attributed to the Special Edition package. Future Camry models, including the then-upcoming 2018 generation based on the new TNGA platform (which enhanced the Prius’ driving dynamics), held promise for further improvements in sportiness. Hopefully, this newfound sporty character will continue to evolve and enhance future Camry iterations.
