You're standing on a used car lot, or maybe you're doom-scrolling through a marketplace app at 2:00 AM, and you see it. The 2022 Toyota Camry XSE. It has those quad exhaust tips that look way too aggressive for a Toyota, a blacked-out roof, and maybe that bright red interior that looks like it belongs in a European sports sedan. You start wondering if it's just a commuter car in a tracksuit or if there’s actually some soul under that sheet metal.
Honestly, it’s a bit of both.
The 2022 model year was a sweet spot for the Camry. It was far enough into the eighth generation (the XV70) that Toyota had ironed out the first-year gremlins, but it hadn't yet been replaced by the hybrid-only 2025 redesign. This matters because the 2022 Toyota Camry XSE was one of the last ways you could get a dead-reliable, naturally aspirated V6 in a world that’s gone completely obsessed with tiny turbocharged engines and battery packs.
It’s a weirdly polarizing car. People who don’t know cars think it’s just a "Camry." People who do know cars are often surprised by how much grip it actually has on a backroad.
What the 2022 Toyota Camry XSE Actually Is (and Isn't)
When you look at the XSE trim, you have to understand Toyota’s internal hierarchy. "S" stands for Sport. So, SE and XSE are the "sporty" ones, while LE and XLE are the "luxury" or "comfortable" ones. The XSE is basically the flagship of the sport side.
You get the stiffer suspension. You get the 19-inch gloss-black wheels. You get the honeycomb grille that looks like it wants to eat the car in front of it.
But here is the thing most people miss: the 2022 Toyota Camry XSE came with two very different engines. The standard was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 206 horsepower. It’s fine. It’s fuel-efficient. It’s also kinda loud when you floor it and not particularly fast. Then there’s the 3.5-liter V6. That beast puts out 301 horsepower. In a front-wheel-drive sedan, 301 horsepower is a lot. It’s enough to make the front tires scream for mercy if you’re heavy-handed at a stoplight.
The AWD Quirk
Interestingly, if you wanted All-Wheel Drive (AWD) on your 2022 Toyota Camry XSE, you were forced into the four-cylinder engine. Toyota’s AWD system for this generation couldn’t package the V6 and the rear drive components together. So, you had a choice: the big-power V6 with front-wheel drive, or the "all-weather" four-cylinder with AWD.
It's a trade-off. If you live in Minneapolis, you probably want the AWD. If you live in Phoenix and want to pass people on the highway without checking your ego, you get the V6.
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Driving Dynamics: Is it Actually "Sporty"?
Let’s be real for a second. This isn’t a BMW M3. If you go into it expecting a surgical track weapon, you’re going to be disappointed. However, compared to a Camry from ten years ago? It’s a revelation.
The TNGA-K platform (Toyota New Global Architecture) changed everything for this car. It has a lower center of gravity and a much more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension. In the 2022 Toyota Camry XSE, the springs are stiffer and the dampers are tuned to give you more feedback. You feel the road. Sometimes, you feel the road a little too much if the pavement is trash.
The steering has a decent weight to it. It doesn't feel like a video game controller. When you toss it into a corner, it stays relatively flat. There’s a confidence there that used to be completely absent from the mid-size sedan segment.
"The Camry XSE isn't just a styling package; it's a fundamental shift in how Toyota approaches the commute," says David Chao, a long-time automotive analyst. He's right. Toyota spent years being the "boring" choice, and the 2022 XSE was their loud, aggressive way of saying they were tired of that reputation.
The Interior: Red Leather and Common Sense
Step inside a 2022 Toyota Camry XSE and the first thing you’ll notice—if the original buyer had any taste—is the Cockpit Red leather. It is bright. It is bold. It makes the car feel twice as expensive as it actually is.
Toyota stuck with a 9-inch "floating" touchscreen for this year. It’s not the most high-tech screen in the world. The graphics look a little bit like a 2015 Garmin GPS, but you know what? It works. It has physical knobs for volume and tuning. It has actual buttons for the climate control. In an era where every car manufacturer is trying to hide your AC settings three menus deep in a touchscreen, the 2022 Camry is a breath of fresh air.
It’s practical.
You’ve got Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired, unfortunately, unless you use a dongle). You’ve got a wireless charging pad that actually holds your phone in place. The JBL premium audio system in the XSE is surprisingly punchy, though some audiophiles complain about the bass being a bit muddy at high volumes.
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Space and Comfort
The seats in the XSE are different from the LE. They have more aggressive bolsters to hold you in place during those "sporty" turns. They are heated, and if you find one with the Premium Package, they are ventilated too.
Rear seat room is massive. You can fit three adults back there without them filing for divorce after a two-hour road trip. The trunk is also a cavern. 15.1 cubic feet doesn't sound like a ton on paper, but the shape is square and usable. You can fit four carry-on suitcases back there with room to spare for a grocery run.
Safety and Reliability: The "Toyota Tax"
People buy the 2022 Toyota Camry XSE because they want to look cool, but they actually buy it because they don't want to spend their weekends at the mechanic.
The 2022 model came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. This includes:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
- Automatic High Beams
- Road Sign Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control (which works all the way down to a stop)
It’s one of the safest cars on the road. The IIHS gave it a Top Safety Pick+ rating, which is the highest honor they hand out.
Reliability is where this car wins the long game. The 2.5L engine (A25A-FKS) uses a combination of direct and port injection to keep the intake valves clean—a common problem on other modern cars. The 8-speed automatic transmission is a traditional torque-converter unit, not a rubber-bandy CVT. It’s built to last 200,000 miles. Easily.
What Goes Wrong? (The Honest Truth)
No car is perfect. Even a Toyota. If you’re hunting for a 2022 Toyota Camry XSE, keep an eye out for these specific gripes:
- The Transmission "Hunt": Some owners complain that the 8-speed automatic is too eager to shift into high gears to save fuel. It can feel a bit indecisive when you're merging onto a highway. A software update fixed this for most, but it’s still a "feature" of the car's fuel-sipping logic.
- Road Noise: Even with the "XSE" acoustic glass, those 19-inch wheels and thin-sidewall tires let a lot of hum into the cabin on rough concrete. If you want a library-quiet ride, get the XLE with the 18-inch wheels.
- Low Ground Clearance: The XSE sits a bit lower than the LE. That front lip looks great, but it’s a magnet for steep driveways and parking curbs. Check the underside of the front bumper for scratches before you buy.
Fuel Economy Reality Check
Toyota says the four-cylinder XSE gets 27 city / 38 highway. In the real world? If you’re heavy on the gas, expect closer to 31 combined.
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The V6 is a different story. It’s rated at 22 city / 32 highway. It’s thirsty. But it runs on regular 87-octane gasoline. You don't need premium. That alone saves you a fortune compared to European competitors that require the expensive stuff.
Comparing the XSE to the Competition
Back in 2022, the Camry had two main rivals: the Honda Accord and the Hyundai Sonata.
The Accord 2.0T was faster and handled better, but it had a polarizing "stapler" design and a CVT on the base models. The Sonata had way more tech—like the ability to park itself using the key fob—but Hyundai's long-term reliability reputation still lags behind Toyota's.
The 2022 Toyota Camry XSE sits right in the middle. It’s more exciting than the Nissan Altima but more "sensible" than a Kia K5. It’s the car for the person who wants to look like they’ve made some fun choices in life without actually risking their bank account on a high-maintenance German car.
Why You Should (or Shouldn't) Buy One Now
The used market is stabilizing, but Camrys still hold their value like gold bars. You will pay a "Toyota Tax." A 2022 Toyota Camry XSE with 30,000 miles might still cost close to what it did when it was new.
It’s worth it if you plan to keep the car for a decade. If you swap cars every two years, the high entry price might not make sense.
The Verdict on the V6 vs. Four-Cylinder
If you can find the V6, buy it. It is a disappearing breed. It’s smooth, powerful, and sounds great. The four-cylinder is a tool; the V6 is an experience.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you are seriously looking at a 2022 Toyota Camry XSE, don't just look at the shiny paint. Follow these steps to make sure you're getting a good one:
- Check the VIN for recalls: There were a few minor recalls regarding the OCS (Occupant Classification System) sensor in some 2020-2022 models that could affect airbag deployment. Ensure the dealership or previous owner had this performed.
- Inspect the 19-inch wheels: These gloss black rims are notorious for "curb rash." They are expensive to refinish. Use them as a negotiation point if they are chewed up.
- Test drive at 60 MPH: Feel for any vibrations. Some early TNGA-K cars had minor wheel balancing issues or subtle driveshaft vibrations in the AWD models.
- Look for the "Driver Assist Package": If you want the Bird’s Eye View Camera (which is amazing for parking this long car) and the Head-Up Display, make sure the car actually has this specific package. Not all XSEs are fully loaded.
- Verify the Maintenance Records: Toyota offers "ToyotaCare" (free maintenance for 2 years/25k miles). Most 2022 owners should have taken advantage of this. If there’s no record of an oil change in the first 10,000 miles, walk away.
The 2022 Toyota Camry XSE remains a benchmark. It’s a car that manages to be boringly reliable and surprisingly expressive at the same time. It’s the safe bet that doesn't feel like a compromise. Just make sure you like red leather—because once you see it, you won't want the boring black interior ever again.