Why no drop down rear seats?

[kp1972]

I was shocked to see that the 09 Camry SE does not have fold down rear seats. I like the grill and rear bumper fascia on the SE but I want access for hauling sometimes and that totally nixes the SE model for us!

[blu_91_cam]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but when my sister was buying her 07 LE the salesman was saying that the se has a rear strut strut bar that runs behind the rear thats why the seats dont fold flat cause the bar is in the way. But honestly man the 6 gen has a huge trunk by itself, I wouldnt let the lack of fold flat seats put off the se for you overall it seems to be an amazing car.

[Mike Gerber]

It's not a strut bar, but rather an extra sheet metal brace behind the rear seats. I don't remember if it's shaped like an X or a V. It comes on the SE and the XLE models only. Hence, no fold down rear seats on them. The backs of the XLE's rear seat does lean backwards a bit. Instead there is a small trunk pass through, at least on the XLE models. Not sure on the SE's. There was another thread on this a few months back that had a diagram of the brace. Do a search and see what comes up.

Mike

[nj0ywatch1np0rn]

the brace is only on the SE's I believe. My cousin's XLE folds down

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by nj0ywatch1np0rn

the brace is only on the SE's I believe. My cousin's XLE folds down

The generation 6 Camry XLE's (2007-2009) do not fold down. The backs of the rear seats lean back slightly instead. Your cousin's XLE has to be a 2006 or older.

Mike