Officially launched in the 1980s, the Toyota Camry is a car that reflects dedicated efforts and patience. Toyota built the Camry to be a bigger and more powerful option for its close sibling, the Corolla. According to RepairSmith, the Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car in the United States since 2002.

The Toyota Camry evolved from simple structures to more sleek and eye-appealing designs, known in the car market as one of the budget-friendly cars that undoubtedly offer maximum value for money.

The sedan is considered Toyota's first front-engined and front-wheel-drive model, and it is the world's best-selling midsize sedan. The Toyota Camry sold out every other sedan in the United States straight for 18 years!

Let's take a look at the history of the Toyota Camry.

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The Inception of the Toyota Camry

1984 Toyota camry
via motortrend

The birth of the Toyota Camry originally dates back to the '80s, and it has since been one of the best-selling cars on the market. The name "Camry" was introduced in Japan in 1980 during an application to approve a four-door saloon version of the Toyota Camry.

Although the Camry bears little to no resemblance to the Toyota Corolla, they both had similar mechanical features. The actual history of the Toyota Camry begins in the year 1983, which was when the UK market began to receive Camry.

The Toyota Camry was initially available in a single traditionally designed four-door saloon body with a single 1.8 GL trim level. The later models got an upgraded version of the 1.8 GL trim; the 1C-TL 1.8-liter turbo diesel model amplified endurance and was easily accessible to buyers, but this version still lacked several features.

To solve this, Toyota decided to place the Camry at a higher level in the car market in terms of power and specification, one of the reasons it holds its values so well. The plan was to provide a lightweight, aerodynamic, and fuel-efficient vehicle to buyers at a budget-friendly rate.

The 1.8-liter engines were both dropped and eventually replaced by 2.0-liter power plants. The 2.0-liters was an improved, fuel-injected 2S-EL petrol engine version with 105 hp. This version offered 14% more power, a torque increased by 13%, and recorded 0.5 seconds increased speed.

Since its inception, Toyota has boasted of massive sales and is considered a superb sports sedan.

Evolution Of The Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry 1st gen vs 8th gen 40 years apart side view
Via: Pressroom.toyota.com

Early models of the Toyota Camry were designed as compact cars with narrow body styles. These were the very first models sold internationally since its release in 1983. Toyota kept the slim body style in production through the 1990s and early 2000s. It produced the final model of this design in the year 2003.

This narrow model Camry eventually changed body styles into a wide-body midsize version, now categorized as a standard "World Car." Since its unveiling, the Toyota Camry has seen a massive rise in sales and is still considered one of the best hybrids.

The Toyota Camry wasn't always in its current stage; it evolved and got classified under eight different generations; here are the generations.

First Generation: 1983 -1986

1983 -1986 Toyota camry
via autoevolution

Toyota launched the first model of the Toyota Camry in 1983. This Camry measured 175.6 inches long. According to Autolist, it came equipped with a 2.0-liter single overhead cam line engine that produced an impressive 130 hp.

The Toyota Camry was notably more spacious than the Corolla, and this feature, to a large extent, made it more appealing to buyers, which translated to it doing well in the market a few months after it was launched. The Camry successfully won over buyers with its reliable features and comfortable riding experience.

Second Generation: 1987-1991

1987 -1991 Toyota camry
via deadclutch.com

The succeeding generation Camry made its debut in the UK in January 1987. It represented a complete model upgrade designed to tend to the needs of its customers in the following years. This model was more prolonged and broader than the previous, but Toyota still fitted the model of the car with the same wheelbase.

Toyota is known for its attention to body aerodynamics, and this is noticeable in all its products. The sleek salon lines of this second-generation Camry had rounded edges, and all its joints were made flush with its body, giving it a unique finish.

Third Generation: 1992 - 1996

1992 - 1996 Toyota camry
via cargurus

This next generation arrived in the UK in 1991 and got a design entirely different from the previous generations. The third-generation Toyota Camry is notably more extensive, in all directions, excluding its height than other Camry models, and Toyota specifically developed its extra-wide body and large capacity engines specifically for an overseas audience.

This model had an overall wedge shape, which was a direct contrast to the previous models. Its cross-section was broader at the base to emphasize a low center of gravity. Its wrap-around lights and specially designed door handles were features that contributed to its unique state. The model was equipped with a four-cylinder unit with 130 hp and an all-wheel-drive system. A 2.5-liter V6 generating 160 hp was also optional on this generation's Camry.

Fourth Generation: 1997 - 2001

1997 - 2001 Toyota camry
via edmunds

In 1996, Toyota decided to emphasize the fourth-generation model's value for money features. Toyota transformed this model into a saloon with a broader stance and low sweeping beltline. The fourth generational Camry got this design to appeal to the taste of a younger audience.

This model was noticeably slightly longer, wider, and taller than the previous model. The wheelbase of this model of the Toyota Camry got extended by 50mm for shorter overhangs and more interior space. The fourth-generation got two engine options; the 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with 133 hp and a 3.0-liter V6 engine that made 194 hp.

Fifth Generation: 2002 - 2006

2002 - 2006 Toyota Camry Parked
Toyota

The fifth-generation Camry had a taller stance, with a raised seating position for the driver and the front passenger. It also included more leg space for the backseat passengers.

The fifth-generation Toyota Camry had a skidpad performance similar to its predecessors. This generation gained a larger base engine, a 157-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder, and a sporty trim to its looks.

Sixth Generation: 2007 -2011

2007 -2011 Toyota Camry
Via: Edmunds

It was not unusual to expect a redesign of the structure and form for this generation as it was a common reoccurrence. The 2007 model notably sold more than any other model in the Toyota Camry's history. Toyota introduced four trim levels for this generation: the CE, LE, SE, XLE.

This generation Camry was equipped with a four-cylinder, 2.4-liter engine that made 158 horsepower, and there was an option for a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 268 hp. This model was more prominent, more efficient, more powerful, and adequately equipped than its predecessors.

Seventh Generation: 2012 to 2017

Via: Bing

On this generation of Camry, the standard engine has been upgraded to a four-cylinder 2.5 liters engine with 178 hp and an option of a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 with 268 hp. The interior of this model was a tad more spacious than the other models and was the first model to offer smartphone connectivity features.

This generation was the last Toyota Camry to have an option of a manual transmission. Most of it, however, was offered with a six-speed automatic transmission. It provides the same trim level as the previous generation but offers more standard features like a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, power windows, cruise control, port for USB, and Bluetooth.

Eighth Generation: 2018 - Present time

via Toyota

In the light of new competition from other brands, especially Honda, Toyota brought the latest model with tons of features.

The eighth-generation Camry debuted at a 2017 Detroit Auto Show, sporting a new and improved sheet metal. This unique design transitioned the Camry to a bigger platform for the very first time in years. The 8th-generation Toyota Camry came with higher trim levels with an option of a powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 301 hp and is rated at 26 mpg combined.

The base trim is powered by an electric motor paired with an outstanding four-cylinder engine generating 208 hp.

RELATED:2021 Toyota Camry: Costs, Facts, And Figures

Overview

2022 Toyota camry
via toyotafd.com

The Toyota Camry evolved gradually while also offering significant modifications to the car structure and body design. These changes are noticeable as with each generation comes a new batch of eager customers.