Put Together the Perfect Toyota Camry

If you want a midsize sedan that's fun to drive and incredibly efficient, then the 2026 Toyota Camry is a fantastic choice. Although your options with the Camry aren't overwhelming, there are some big decisions to make as you shop. Today, we're going to walk you through these options and help you choose the right features to enhance your time on the road.

Engineering and Performance

Although there's only one engine available for the 2026 Camry, you still have some performance considerations to keep in mind as you shop for your car. You don't really have anything you can miss here, but some noteworthy details can be overlooked. So let's check out the performance this car offers and what options you can choose.

A Great Engine With Impressive Power

Every Camry is powered by a 2.5L hybrid engine that offers a fantastic combination of great power and excellent gas mileage. The standard version of this engine delivers 225 hp, which is already terrific power for a midsize sedan. Going with the starting LE model gets you something that you will enjoy driving each day, no matter what you are doing.

If you go with an all-wheel drive (AWD) model, however, then you get a version of this engine that's tuned to deliver 232 hp. That's not a massive increase, admittedly, but it's still worth keeping in mind as you shop for your next car. Of course, the drive type you pick impacts more than just the amount of hp you get, so be sure to…

Choose the Right Drive Type

The standard setup for the 2026 Camry comes with front-wheel drive (FWD), which feels terrific as you hit the road. This is a car well-balanced for a FWD setup, keeping you in control and ensuring you have a great time behind the wheel. Going with AWD can provide enhanced handling in certain conditions, especially on dirt roads or in rough weather.

Your choice of FWD or AWD also impacts the gas mileage you get with the Camry, which is an important consideration. With its hybrid engine and Toyota's focus on excellent performance and fuel economy, the Camry is incredibly efficient. But your choice of trim and drive type affects the gas mileage you can expect, as shown below.

• Camry LE FWD: 52 MPG in the city, 49 MPG on the highway, 51 MPG Combined
• Camry LE AWD: 50 MPG in the city, 49 MPG on the highway, 50 MPG Combined
• Camry SE FWD: 47 MPG in the city, 45 MPG on the highway, 46 MPG Combined
• Camry SE AWD: 46 MPG in the city, 46 MPG on the highway, 46 MPG Combined

As you can see, the standard LE model is the best choice if high gas mileage is important to you, particularly with FWD. Choosing AWD doesn't have a major impact, but it can slightly reduce your estimated fuel efficiency. Most other trims match the SE's fuel economy ratings, though the XSE AWD model is slightly less efficient due to its performance-oriented setup and larger wheels.

Five Trim Levels to Choose From

2026 Camry LE

The starting Camry model, the LE trim, is the perfect place to begin when putting together your next car. It features the standard engine, and, as we said, it's the best choice if maximum fuel economy is important to you. The LE has 16-inch wheels, along with Bi-LED headlights featuring Automatic High Beams and auto on/off.

Inside, the LE comes standard with an eight-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia system with six speakers and a wireless charging pad. You get dual-zone automatic climate control, remote entry with push-button start, and a seven-inch digital gauge cluster. Fabric-trimmed seating is standard, with six-way manual front seats to help you get comfortable.

The 2026 Camry comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, which includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection. You also get Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, a Lane Departure Alert, and more. A Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is also standard on the Camry LE, helping keep you safer on the road.

2026 Camry SE

Going with the SE gets you several great upgrades, making it a terrific choice if you want some enhanced features without going overboard. The SE comes with larger 18-inch wheels for a bolder stance as you hit the road. You also get a black sport mesh front grille for an added touch of style, plus a body-color rear spoiler.

Inside the SE, you'll find many of the same tech and convenience features, but the SE has SofTex- and fabric-trimmed seating with an eight-way power driver's seat. You also get a leather-trimmed shift knob and leather-trimmed steering wheel, plus aluminum sport pedals that beautifully complement the rest of the SE's cabin.

2026 Camry Nightshade

The Nightshade offers gorgeous styling and excellent details if you want something distinct. You get 19-inch satin-black-finished wheels on the Nightshade that make an immediate impression and elevate the overall look of this midsize sedan. They're joined by a gloss-black sport mesh front grille and a black rear spoiler.

2026 Camry XLE

If you're looking for many terrific upgrades for the Camry, the XLE is a fantastic choice that adds many features inside. On the outside, you get 18-inch two-tone wheels that look great, along with dual LED projector headlights. Inside, you'll find a beautiful 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia display, with an available nine-speaker JBL Premium sound system.

A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster joins this; both screens come together beautifully to make important information easy to read at a glance. You also get a Smart Key system with the XLE, so it's easy to get in and get going, plus an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Plus, you get leather- and microfiber-trimmed seating with eight-way power seats up front.

2026 Camry XSE

Finally, the XSE includes several upgrades, both inside and out, to elevate your ride. This trim comes with 19-inch smoked gray wheels, a single exhaust with dual chrome-finished tips, and a sport-tuned suspension. This ensures the Camry XSE looks terrific as you hit the road and handles beautifully, keeping you in control.

Inside, the XSE has many of the same features as the XLE. You get paddle shifters on the leather-trimmed steering wheel, plus leather-trimmed front seats that feel fantastic. Both this trim and the previous XLE offer more safety features, including Rear Cross-Traffic Braking, Front and Rear Parking Assist, and more to help protect you on the road.

More Options and Packages

As you consider different trims and choose the right model, it's important to note that there are many packages and extras available for each trim. For example, a Convenience Package lets you add features such as the auto-dimming rearview mirror and Smart Key system to the standard model.

Similarly, even high-end trims offer more packages to choose from if you want to add some options. The Premium Package adds a panoramic glass roof with a power-tilt/slide moonroof up front, a 10-inch head-up display, and the JBL Premium Audio system. So no matter which model you choose, the available options let you upgrade your daily drive even more.

We Can Help You Get What You Want

Whatever you are looking for in a midsize sedan, we are ready to help you find it. Even if you're not entirely sure what you need, we will help you figure it out. That's the difference that choosing the right dealership makes. So visit us at Keating Toyota, and we'll help you put together everything you want in your next car.