The Car Care Nut on YouTube is an excellent resource and he really knows his stuff.

Check out his video for the 2015-2017 Camry:

Ultimately the 2015-17 Camry was very well built- and the 3.5L V6 is a beast that is very durable and reliable. Maintenance costs will obviously be higher with the V6 than with the four cylinder option, but that 3.5L V6 only has one weak point, an oil leak that can develop as the car ages. It's ultimately the result of poor sealant for the front timing cover. It is an expensive repair if the leak becomes severe enough to need repair.

The Car Care Nut has a video on this specific problem:

That potential oil leak probably isn't something that would prevent me from buying a Toyota with that engine- but it would cause me to have the car looked over closely by a trusted mechanic who knows about the issue and how to spot it. That's a good idea for any used car purchase anyway. Never trust a selling dealer's "inspection"... always take a used car to a trusted and competent mechanic for a detailed inspection before purchase.

If a mechanic checks that 2017 Camry XSE over and gives you a good report- you should consider buying the car if you like it and it is reasonably priced. Really- 2017 was the last year of the old-school Camry that prioritized comfort over everything else. The 2018+ Camry is a nice car too, but it's very different. It's a lot lower to the ground and a lot more athletic- for better and for worse. It handles a lot better- but I don't think that it rides as nicely as the Gen 7 models. Even in XSE trim with the larger wheels- the 2017 Camry still rode very nicely- just watch out for potholes with those fancy wheels.

 

Having a '17 XSE I4, it leaves a lot to be desired in the performance department. I certainly would get a V6 if I could do it over again. Though I can't beat the mileage in the 4-cylinder.
I drove the '17 and an '18 XSE (or similar) and felt more comfortable in the '17...kids' complained right away about the seats in the '18.

 

Thank you for responding guys. I watched the video and I learned a lot. The good thing is that the Camry is a certified pre-owned and it comes with a 7 year or 100k mile warranty. That truly gives me a good level of confidence and insurance. I have considered the 2018's and newer, but the transmission and other issues that are coming up made me stay away. I read in a few threads that the 2.7 4 Cylinder is actually more reliable than the 3.5 V6 due to it's more simply nature. Is there any truth to this claim?

Can anyone also share their real world MPG?

 

Both engines are very reliable if maintained.
V6 is a beast, but if you have a heavy foot, it will respond with higher fuel consumption and potential gearbox problems, as it is not designed to be constantly abused. Generally, v6 is a beautiful everyday car which gives you a hint of confidence, having all that power reserve, just in case.

2.5 engine is also very reliable. I see them left and right with 400-450k miles and still going. Less powerful, but mpgs are higher, accordingly. My long term (3-4 months since reset) city driving mpgs are 25.5.

 

I understand that the 3.5 will consume more gas when pushed harder, but can you elaborate on your statement that the v6 may develop potential gearbox problems and it is not designed for constant abuse? I would think that Toyota would design the v6 for spirited drivers who push their cars, so it is expected that the v6 will be driven hard.

 

I meant to say that v6 are often treated and driven as sports cars, which they aren't, and with this driving style v6 gearboxes will fail rather sooner than rest of the car. If driven normaly, it's perfect everyday car with some potential.

 

Gas mileage can be all over the place, just from different trip lengths and temperatures.
Cold engines really suck gas.

 

I have a 2013 Sienna with the 3.5L engine with 140k miles. I'm assuming it's similar to the V6 in the Camry. I think the engine has gotten better over the last 9.5 years of ownership. No engine related issues but we do follow the own'er's manual for maintenance. The only "check engine" issue was a loose gas cap. As far as gas mileage, you should get the EPA ratings as long as your city driving is not a bunch of short trips; AND you don't have a heavy foot on the highways.

For me, I would worry more about the ride in the XSE trim. When I bought my 2015 Camry LE (used), I test drove a SE model and found the ride to be a little firm for my liking. I knew it wasn't going to get better.

If you're happy with the price, I would buy with confidence before someone else buys it. The certified warranty is nice for peace of mind.

Good luck.

 

I have a 2015 XLE V6 purchased new and now have 95k on it and it has been a great car with bulletproof reliability. I average around 26mpg and close to 28-30 on the highway when staying under 80mph. At 60 k miles I was getting a New York state required safety inspection at my local Toyota dealership and the service rep told me that the engine has an oil leak. I had the mechanic put the car back up to show me where it's from as I do my own oil changes and I've never noticed a leak or any oil on the ground. There was a drop of oil from the timing cover that apparently never becomes significant. I dried the drop and monitored it for awhile and it was so little as to cause me no concern. As the Toyota car care nut describes it is such slight seepage that you really don't need to be too concerned about it. Now at 95k it is hardly even a drop, no change in 35k miles. The dealership quoted me $3000 to reseal the front timing cover. The only other issue so far was a trunk lid torsion rod snapping that I replaced myself.

 

I purchased my Camry for the exact same reason you're looking at one; needed a reliable, comfortable car for my 90 mile daily commute. The difference is I preferred the 4 cylinder over the V6 for fuel efficiency and lower maintenance costs. As a work car I intend to drive it until it costs too much to keep on the road, hopefully that's 200K+ miles. With that in mind I knew that repairs and maintenance on the V6 was going to be much more costly because that engine is squeezed into the engine bay. Spark plugs for instance requires the removal of the intake manifold whereas the 4 cylinder can be done in your driveway in under 30 minutes. Almost everything on the 4 cylinder is easy to get to and see. Alternator, compressor, thermostat, water pump, starter etc are all easy to get to and replace when and if the time comes.

As for fuel efficiency I can't speak on the V6 but the 4 cylinder averages 31-32 MPG per tank in my use case which is mostly highway driving. It's no powerhouse by any means but it has no problems cruising at 80 mph, merging on the highway or passing cars on a 2 lane. My only complaint is that it's not a smooth operator. At high revs it's a little loud and coarse and not even close to the silky smooth running of the V6. Bought mines with 38,000 miles on it and it's now at 102,000 miles and no problems.