The Best Midsize Toyota Cars
Toyota’s Camry and Avalon are both great options for those who want a solid mid-size sedan. Learn more here.
Written by Sarah Gray
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Table of Contents
The Camry is Toyota’s only mid-size sedan, but those looking for a bit more space might also consider the slightly larger Avalon.
The Toyota Camry has been a best-selling mid-size sedan for nearly four decades, and the Toyota Avalon has carried the torch as Toyota’s flagship sedan for years. Both offer great options for buyers looking within the ever-shrinking sedan segment.
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2022 Toyota Camry
For almost 40 years, the Toyota Camry has been one of the most popular and best-selling mid-size sedans on the market. It maintains its place today with attractive, understated styling, a roomy and comfortable interior, and superior fuel efficiency. Available all-wheel drive (AWD) adds to the Camry’s sure-footed family appeal while an available V6 engine offers driving excitement where the base four-cylinder falls short.
Pricing
Performance
The Toyota Camry’s standard 2.5-liter 203-horsepower inline four is optimized for fuel economy, not performance. This same four-cylinder in the Camry’s available hybrid powertrain achieves 208 horsepower. A 3.5-liter V6 harnessing 301 horses is available as well.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, and AWD is available with the four-cylinder, but not the peppy V6.
Fuel economy
Toyota offers the Camry with both standard and hybrid powertrains, so there’s quite a variety when it comes to fuel economy. Hybrid models are capable of up to 51 mpg city, 53 mpg highway, and 52 mpg combined. The base four-cylinder equipped with FWD delivers EPA estimates of 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway and 32 mpg combined. Opting for AWD drops those figures to 25 city, 34 highway, and 29 combined.
Opting for the V6 means sacrificing some fuel economy for more power, though no available AWD means you’ll be looking at the same EPA-rated 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined no matter which trim you choose.
Interior and tech
In many ways, the Toyota Camry is the go-to option for families who need the space of an SUV without the bulk. It’s not built to overwhelm buyers with opulence. Instead, its airy cabin is comfortable, functional, and surprisingly easy to get in and out of.
The Camry’s tech is similarly user-friendly and unassuming, making it a great choice for the tech-averse. A 7-inch infotainment screen is standard, but a 9-inch option is available on lower trims and standard on the
Camry XLE
and above, and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration are included even on base models.Despite a distinct lack of luxury, the Camry doesn’t skimp on comfort. Base models are equipped with a power-adjustable driver’s seat and dual-zone automatic climate control. Higher trims add standard features like simulated leather interiors, heated seats, and a wireless charging pad. Several options packages are also available to add everything from heated mirrors to a 9-speaker JBL sound system.
Safety and reliability
Toyota offers its Safety Sense 2.5+ on all Camry models, which includes:
- Forward collision mitigation
- Lane keeping assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic high-beams
- Road sign recognition
Buyers who choose a Camry XLE or higher trim receive an upgraded adaptive cruise control system that can bring the Camry down to a complete stop, as well as blind-spot monitoring.
An available Driver Assist package adds a 360-degree camera, head-up display, and rear automatic braking.
These safety features combined with solid build quality scored the Camry some of the highest safety ratings in the industry. The 2022 Camry has earned a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for several years, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named it a Top Safety Pick+, the highest safety designation available.
That solid build contributes to strong reliability ratings as well. RepairPal rated the Camry 4.0/5.0 while J.D. Power rated it 84/100. Consumer Reports rounded out the rankings with a predicted reliability score of 4/5.
MORE: How to find vehicle safety ratings
Trim levels
The 2022 Toyota Camry is available in six trim levels: LE, SE, SE Nightshade, XLE, XSE, and TRD. All but the TRD are available with either the standard 4-cylinder or a 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain. The Camry’s V6 engine is available on the XSE and XLE and is standard on the TRD trim.
The LE, SE, and SE Nightshade trims are all variations on the same tune. The SE adds some sporty touches to the LE’s base features, like a sport-tuned suspension and simulated leather interior, while the SE Nightshade offers a blacked-out look complete with black interior trim.
The XLE trim adds more features like keyless entry and ignition and rear air vents, along with some upscale treats, like:
- Leather upholstery
- Power-adjustable passenger seat
- Heated front seats
- Upgraded displays and infotainment screen
- Wireless charging pad
Like the SE, the XSE gives a sporty translation to the XLE by adding a sport-tuned suspension, larger wheels, and dual exhaust.
The TRD trim is the top-of-the-line Camry. While its chief claim to fame is the standard V6, it also benefits from a special sport-tuned suspension and sport exhaust. Additional features include:
- 19-inch wheels
- Black-painted mirrors and trim
- TRD-specific simulated leather upholstery and red seat belts
- Aerodynamic body trim
- Panoramic sunroof
MORE: Vehicle trim level, options, and packages explained
Competitors
Now for the true test: let’s see how the 2022 Toyota Camry fares when compared with some of its top competitors:
Model | MSRP range | Base powertrain | Fuel economy | Safety ratings | Reliability ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$25,845 to $36,270 | 203-hp four-cylinder w/eight-speed automatic transmission and standard FWD | 22-28 mpg city/32-39 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 4.0/5.0 (RepairPal), 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 84/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$26,520 to $38,450 | 192-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder w/CVT and standard FWD | 22–30 mpg city/32–38 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 4.5/5.0 (RepairPal), 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 83/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$24,500 to $34,400 | 191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder w/eight-speed automatic transmission and standard FWD | 23–28 mpg city/33–38 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick (IIHS) | 4.0/5.0 (RepairPal), 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 82/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$23,790 to $31,190 | 180-hp 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder w/eight-speed automatic transmission and standard FWD | 24–29 mpg city/32–38 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 4.0/5.0 (RepairPal), 3/5 (Consumer Reports), 84/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$25,995 to $35,695 | 188-hp four-cylinder w/CVT and standard FWD | 25–27 mpg city/34–37 mpg hwy | Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 4.0/5.0 (RepairPal), 3/5 (Consumer Reports), 85/100 (J.D. Power) |
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MORE: Toyota AWD cars
2022 Toyota Avalon
For those looking for just a touch more size and a bit more luxury, the Toyota Avalon may just float your boat. Plus, this is the last year you’ll have the chance to take advantage of Toyota’s flagship sedan—it’s being replaced by the all-new Toyota Crown for 2023.
Pricing
Compared with other options in its class, the Toyota Avalon is a near-budget option, starting at just $37,920. Its most expensive trim features a $45,245 MSRP, which is nearly $5k cheaper than most other comparable larger sedans.
Performance
Equipped with a standard 301-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, the 2022 Toyota Avalon offers a lot more power than its mid-size Camry cousin. For those less concerned with speed than fuel economy, the Avalon can be outfitted with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid for a combined output of 215 horsepower.
Fuel economy
Speaking of fuel economy, choosing the hybrid powertrain for your Avalon will get you an EPA-estimated 43 mpg city, 44 mpg highway, and 44 mpg combined. The more powerful V6 yields ratings of only 22 mpg city, 32 highway, and 26 combined.
MORE: How to save money on gas
Interior and tech
Not surprisingly, as the Avalon is currently Toyota’s flagship sedan, it doesn’t skimp on interior and tech options, even at the base
Avalon XLE
trim. Heated, power-adjustable, simulated-leather upholstered front seats are standard, as are keyless entry and ignition and dual-zone automatic climate control.Legroom is abundant throughout the Avalon’s cabin, but headroom is a little lacking, especially for taller passengers and those in the rear seats. Tech features are user-friendly and intuitive, for the most part, and include standard features, such as:
- Apple CarPlay and Android Audio
- 9-inch touchscreen
- Four USB ports
- Eight-speaker audio system
Move up to the Avalon Touring trim and you’ll find added creature comforts like ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, along with these additional features:
- Head-up display
- Navigation system
- Driver’s seat memory settings
- 14-speaker JBL audio system
- Wireless charging station
The range-topping Avalon Limited stacks a sunroof, ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, and leather upholstery on top of the Avalon’s already impressive list of features.
Safety and reliability
Like the smaller Camry, the Toyota Avalon offers standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ on all trims. The Touring trim adds adaptive cornering headlights to the mix. An Advanced Safety package is available for both the Touring and Limited trims that includes:
- Surround-view camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Rear cross-traffic braking
The Avalon also earned a perfect 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a place on the IIHS’s list of 2022 Top Safety Pick award winners.
RepairPal and Consumer Reports both rated the Avalon 4/5 for reliability, and J.D. Power scored it 85/100.
Trim levels
The final model-year Avalon is available in three trims: XLE, Touring, and Limited. Much of what the Avalon has to offer is geared toward driver and passenger comfort. That means we’ve already mentioned most of the features you’ll find on the various Avalon trims. That said, the uplevel Touring and Limited trims offer something the base XLE does not—adaptive suspension dampers for a cushy ride and more nimble handling.
Competitors
Without safety and reliability ratings for the new Toyota Crown, it doesn’t seem fair to put the Avalon up against its replacement. Instead, let’s see how it stands up to other full-size sedans in its class.
Model | MSRP range | Base powertrain | Fuel economy | Safety ratings | Reliability ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$37,920 to $45,245 | 301-hp 3.5-liter V6 w/8-speed automatic transmission and FWD | 22 mpg city/32 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick (IIHS) | 4.0/5.0 (RepairPal) 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 85/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$42,045 to $50,845 | 300-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder w/seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard FWD | 22 mpg city/32 mpg hwy | Top Safety Pick (IIHS) | 3/5 (Consumer Reports) | |
$38,935 to $44,245 | 300-hp 3.5-liter V6 w/CVT and standard FWD | 20 mpg city/30 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 3.5/5.0 (RepairPal) 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 93/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$32,240 to $56,335 | 370-hp 5.7-liter V6 w/eight-speed automatic transmission and standard RWD | 17–18 mpg city/25-26 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Good (IIHS) | 3.5/5.0 (RepairPal), 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 89/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$35,140 to $43,750 | 292-hp 3.6-liter V6 w/8-speed automatic transmission and standard RWD | 16–19 mpg city/25–30 mpg hwy | 4 stars (NHTSA), Good (IIHS) | 3.5/5.0 (RepairPal), 5/5 (Consumer Reports), 92/100 (J.D. Power) |
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How to save on Toyota insurance
Toyotas have earned a reputation for both reliability and affordability. That’s why, when you’re driving one, you should make sure you keep it covered with car insurance as reliable and affordable as your car. Luckily,
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Is a Toyota Avalon a midsize car?
It’s technically a full-size sedan. But it can be a great option for those in the market for an affordable sedan with a touch more space than the Camry.
Does Toyota have a mid-size SUV?
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