The 2017 Toyota Camry Toyota isn't a sexy car. It won't turn heads at a red light, and it certainly won't win any drag races against a Tesla. But honestly? That’s exactly why people love it. It represents the absolute pinnacle of the XV50 generation, the final year before Toyota went all "modern" and "edgy" with the 2018 redesign. It’s the automotive equivalent of a well-worn pair of Levi’s—dependable, comfortable, and seemingly impossible to kill.
If you’re looking at a used lot today, you’ve probably noticed these things hold their value like gold bars.
Why?
Because the 2017 model year was the sweet spot where Toyota had fixed every single quirk of the previous five years. It’s a boring car that makes for an incredibly exciting ownership experience because nothing ever breaks.
The Reality of the 2017 Toyota Camry Toyota Driving Experience
Let's be real: the steering feels a bit like you’re stirring a pot of oatmeal. It’s light, numb, and entirely uninspiring. But for the average person commuting 45 minutes to work in stop-and-go traffic, that’s a feature, not a bug. You want a car that disappears underneath you. You want a cabin that blocks out the sound of the guy next to you honking his horn for no reason.
The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (the 2AR-FE, for the nerds out there) produces 178 horsepower. It’s fine. It’s adequate. If you really need to merge onto a fast-moving highway, you’ll hear it groan a bit, but it gets the job done. Now, if you find one with the 3.5-liter V6, that’s a different story entirely. That engine turns the Camry into a "sleeper." 268 horsepower in a front-wheel-drive sedan is actually kind of hilarious. It’ll chirp the tires if you’re not careful.
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Trim Levels: From Basic to "Sporty"
Toyota offered the 2017 Camry in four main flavors: LE, SE, XLE, and XSE.
The LE is the rental car special. It has 16-inch steel wheels with plastic covers. It’s basic, but it’s basically bulletproof.
The SE was the big seller. It added "sport-tuned" suspension, which really just means it’s a tiny bit stiffer over bumps, and 17-inch alloy wheels. It also got the honeycomb grille that made it look slightly less like your grandmother’s car.
Then you have the XLE and XSE. These are the "luxury" trims. You get leather (or Ultrasuede), heated seats, and dual-zone climate control. If you spend a lot of time in your car, these are the ones to hunt for. The Entune infotainment system in these models is... well, it’s 2017 technology. It doesn't have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. That’s a major bummer for some people, but you can swap in a Sony or Pioneer head unit for a few hundred bucks and solve that problem instantly.
What Actually Goes Wrong? (Not Much)
Every car has issues. Even the 2017 Toyota Camry Toyota. But the list for this car is remarkably short compared to a Nissan Altima or a Ford Fusion from the same era.
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Some owners have reported that the torque converter in the 6-speed automatic transmission can get a bit "shuddery" between 25 and 45 mph. Toyota actually issued a software update and extended the warranty for this on earlier models, but by 2017, the issue was mostly phased out. If you’re test-driving one and it feels like you’re hitting rumble strips when you’re barely accelerating, walk away.
Another weird quirk? The dash material. In older Camrys, the dashboards would literally melt and get sticky in the sun. Toyota mostly fixed the formula by 2017, but if you live in Arizona or Florida, it’s worth checking if the top of the dash feels tacky to the touch.
- Brakes: They tend to last a long time, but the rotors can warp if you’re a heavy-footed driver.
- Battery: The OEM Panasonic batteries were great, but by now, any 2017 Camry should be on its second or third battery.
- Fuel Economy: Expect about 24 city / 33 highway for the four-cylinder. The V6 drops that to about 21/30. It’s not hybrid-level efficient, but it’s predictable.
Safety and the "Parent" Factor
If you’re buying this for a teenager or as a family hauler, you’re in good hands. The 2017 Camry earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It was also a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS when equipped with the optional Pre-Collision System.
It has ten airbags. Ten!
It’s got front knee airbags, rear seat-mounted side airbags, and side curtains. Basically, if you get into a scrap, the car turns into a giant pillow. That peace of mind is why these cars are so popular on the used market. You aren't just buying a car; you're buying an insurance policy against mechanical headaches and safety worries.
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The Comparison: Camry vs. Accord
Back in 2017, the Honda Accord was the "driver's choice." It handled better. It had a nicer interior layout. But the Accord used a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) in its four-cylinder models. While Honda makes a decent CVT, a lot of old-school buyers still prefer the physical "click" of the 6-speed planetary automatic found in the Camry. It just feels more substantial.
The Camry also has a slightly softer ride. If your local roads are full of potholes and construction, the Camry is going to treat your spine a lot better than the Accord will.
Maintenance Milestones You Can't Ignore
Just because it’s a Toyota doesn’t mean you can ignore it. If you find a 2017 Camry with 100,000 miles, here is exactly what you need to do:
- Change the Coolant: Toyota uses "Super Long Life Coolant" (the pink stuff). It’s rated for 100k miles or 10 years. You’re right at that window.
- Spark Plugs: The Iridium plugs are due at 120,000 miles. Don't cheap out; get the Denso or NGK ones.
- Transmission Fluid: Toyota says it's "lifetime" fluid. Mechanics say that’s nonsense. A drain and fill (not a flush!) every 60,000 miles will keep that transmission shifting smooth until the body rots away.
- Cabin Air Filter: You’d be surprised how many people forget this. If the car smells a bit musty, change the $15 filter behind the glovebox. It takes two minutes.
The Verdict on the 2017 Toyota Camry Toyota
Buying a 2017 Toyota Camry Toyota today is a hedge against inflation. It’s a smart financial move. You aren't dealing with the turbocharging issues of newer cars or the complex electronics of a modern EV. It’s a simple machine designed to do one thing: get you from Point A to Point B without drama.
It's not the car you buy because you want to. It's the car you buy because you're tired of your current car being in the shop. It's the "I'm done with car problems" car.
Actionable Steps for Buyers
If you’re ready to pull the trigger on a 2017 Camry, do these three things immediately:
- Check the VIN for Recalls: Go to the NHTSA website and plug in the VIN. While the 2017 was very reliable, there were some minor recalls for things like load carrying capacity labels and side airbag calibration. Make sure they were performed.
- Inspect the Water Pump: Look for "pink crusty stuff" around the drive belt area. The 2AR-FE engine is known for water pumps that can weep a little bit around the 80k-100k mile mark. It’s an easy fix, but it’s a good bargaining chip.
- Verify the Service History: A Camry with 150,000 miles and a stack of oil change receipts is better than a Camry with 80,000 miles and no history. These engines are sludge-resistant, but they still need fresh oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles to stay healthy.
- Test the Infotainment: Since there’s no CarPlay, make sure the Bluetooth pairs quickly with your phone. Sometimes the older Entune modules can get glitchy or the touchscreens develop "dead spots."
Stick to the SE or XSE if you want a car that feels slightly more modern, but don't be afraid of a high-mileage LE if the price is right. This car is built for the long haul. Most 2017 Camrys are just getting started at 100,000 miles. With basic care, there's no reason you can't see 300,000 on the odometer before it's time to retire the old beast.