I just made the move from an 09 Corolla in February... 2018 XSE V6. The V6 engine is excellent, I wasn't having it any other way.

You can't go wrong with an SE, if you are happy with the options and engine. Toyota website should allow you to compare side by side; ultimately the XSE has a few more bells and whistles. V6 is fun, not necessary though.

My vote is on the XSE V6

 

Budget vs. wants. The XSE has more nice stuff but you pay for it. It also looks a bit nicer. For me, the 19" wheels on the XSE were a negative. More likely to get bent and makes the ride a little harsher. I got the SE with the convenience package which is an outstanding value in my opinion. I also got the cold weather package which is way overpriced. They could have switched the prices on those options and I would have felt better. I got a sunroof I didn't want so I Iost the sunglasses storage and have the annoying pop every now and then. Hopefully it doens't leak 10 years from now. I have enough go-fast toys so the Camry is just to get around. The 4-cyl does that great and will make maintenance much easier not having the one cylinder head against the firewall. It also heats up quite quickly which I appreciate in the winter. AWD is not available on the V6.

 

All points noted...definitely not looking at the V6 since it's just going to be less economical and obviously more expensive. I can do a lot of the maintenance on my own (oil change, brakes, simple stuff).
In Canada there isn't a cold weather package, just an SE Upgrade Package for the SE which brings in 18" wheels, and other things.
Is there a stereo difference between the 4CYL SE and XSE versions?

 

XSE. All the way

 

Curious to hear the reasons why? 4 CYL or V6? I am not looking for the V6...

 

There are different stereos available. I'm not sure what is standard on the XSE. At the time I ordered mine I was told the more expensive stereo option was causing build delays. It is required if you want remote start. Just be aware Toyota charges you to use that feature. Considering those two factors I'm happy with my standard 6-speaker stereo. I've heard people talk about speakers "breaking in" and now I do believe that as my stereo sounds better than when I got it. There might be a bit of my ear adjusting as well. Here in the US the SE has the 18" wheels standard and the XSE has the 19". Only the LE has the 17's. The XLE has 18's. You should be able to use the build tool on Toyota.com to see what is available for you. I can't imagine there isn't a cold weather package. Maybe it is standard? It is the heated seats and half-heated steering wheel.

 

The XSE has 19" rims, and the SE has 17" standard, with an 18" version with the upgrade package (which comes with other goodies too). MY Corolla has 17" and the ride is quite stiff (also adding performance tires, and RSB, Front Strut Tower Brace increased that aspect as well). I think you only get the heated steering wheel on the XSE.
As for the audio...I'm also disappointed with Toyota' system and have always upgraded with aftermarket speakers. Might be more difficult with Camry, so may opt to just add an under-seat subwoofer.

 

My first Toyota ever is my 2020 (Canadian) Camry SE which I bought in Oct of '20. If I had any clue of the shortage the auto industry was going into, I would have bought 2 of them. I actually received discounts off the MSRP.
I would love the V6...I'm sure it's far superior in terms of power and refinement while still being quite fuel efficient. But (as you probably know) the V6 is packaged with many other luxury features that don't interest me, and it's priced above $40K. My $30K SE has the adequate and very fuel efficient 2.5 I4, 17" alloy wheels, "old school" physical key for starting, and all the basic luxury features. In my opinion, the SE package offers excellent value for a practical and pleasant everyday vehicle. I plan to keep it long term, so I'm counting on Toyota's reputation for reliability/durability.

 

When I was looking for a car to replace my Echo I originally looked at Corolla's because I wanted something at least similar in size and features and mpg to my wife's Chevy Cruze. Since the Camry was slightly bigger and still had good mpg I also looked at them. They were more comfortable to drive and seemed to have slightly more headroom and elbow room between me and my wife than either the Chevy or the Corolla. Since I bought it for LD trips the bigger trunk space was also a plus.

I ended up opting for the SE Camry because mpg was more important and power, but if the reverse were true I would've gone for the XSE The few extra options on the XSE I didn't care about, although I know some people do. I know some people use premium gas in the 4 cylinder but I've been using 87 octane. So far I'm averaging 31 mpg in town and 42 mpg on straight interstate driving, and that's not driving like a little old lady either, but trying to get there in the minimum time without getting pulled over and of course still being safe. We're not the fastest people on the interstate but we're not the slowest either.

 

Nice. Fuel economy is still an important aspect for me so the 4-cylinder version is the only one I am really looking at (that and also the initial price jump for the V6 doesn't interest me).
Not need to use premium fuel in an engine designed to take 87.

 

One other thing I forgot to mention about corolla vs camry at least the 18 and never. with the Corolla the screen sticks up above the dash and on the 18 Camry the top of the screen does not stick up above the dash. I didn't like the up that high on the Corolla personally but I know some people do. I suppose if used the screen as a GPS screen I'd want it that high but I don't.

 

Hello...from Canada and thinking about moving up to a new 2022 Camry from my current 2015 Corolla S (with upgrades), but curious and wondering WHICH model to get between the SE and XSE.

I am aware of some of the more significant features between the two and somehow the 3 HP gain (how??), but curious to know if there is an real benefit to the XSE other than some styling changes.

Probably looking to buy in the summer once my current car is paid off and I can see privately.

Any thoughts and advice are welcome (providing constructive and helpful).

Your part of Canada sees snow? You're getting the AWD version right?

According to the Toyota Canada site, XSE has push-button start (no keys to jab into your knee), full-speed radar cruise control (works in stop-and-go traffic), and lane trace assist (when enabled, will keep the car centered in the lane). The two driver-assist features are good for long highway drives. If I were buying, I'd get the XSE then do a change to aftermarket 17" wheels for more sidewall for ride comfort.

 

My SE has those features.

 

We have an '18 LE and love it. The performance and ride are impressive, as is the gas mileage. I wish they'd offer a manual transmission with this engine - THAT would be awesome.

 

I'm in the US. Sounds like stuff is packaged differently in Canada. When I did the build online the 18" wheel was standard on the SE and the 17" was standard on the LE and they still show that with no options. I got the convenience package which got me keyless entry, push button starting, blind spot monitor, possibly the larger center display in the dash (not for sure why I have that). I also got the cold weather package which got the heated seats and half heated steering wheel, and I think that is why I have rear defrost and heated mirrors. I got the mudflaps that I didn't want but after seeing them I like them and they are reasonably priced. Mine came with a sunroof that I for sure wouldn't buy if I had the choice, but after waiting almost three months my dealer said it's what they have, take it or leave it. Considering everything else was what I wanted I took it. I got the AWD which is nice. Would be interesting to see how a FWD performs in the snow. With Blizzaks all the way around the AWD does great.

Edit: the convenience package also got me the auto dimming Homelink mirror.

 

I'm in the US. Sounds like stuff is packaged differently in Canada. When I did the build online the 18" wheel was standard on the SE and the 17" was standard on the LE and they still show that with no options. I got the convenience package which got me keyless entry, push button starting, blind spot monitor, possibly the larger center display in the dash (not for sure why I have that). I also got the cold weather package which got the heated seats and half heated steering wheel, and I think that is why I have rear defrost and heated mirrors. I got the mudflaps that I didn't want but after seeing them I like them and they are reasonably priced. Mine came with a sunroof that I for sure wouldn't buy if I had the choice, but after waiting almost three months my dealer said it's what they have, take it or leave it. Considering everything else was what I wanted I took it. I got the AWD which is nice. Would be interesting to see how a FWD performs in the snow. With Blizzaks all the way around the AWD does great.

My FWD V6 performed great this past winter with Nokian Hakka R3 tires on 16” steelies. I’m located in New England where we have some snow.


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I did the corolla to camry switch and you will not regret it.
2013 le corolla to 2019 camry le. Ride no comparison, fuel economy camry 2 mpg better , comfort hands down camry. Definitely the best move I've ever made.

 

I traded my 2018 Corolla XSE for a 2020 Avalon XLE Hybrid. I wanted a larger car with good fuel economy. If I had wanted performance I'd have gone with either a V-6 version or a Camry V-6. My Avalon gets 42mpg while my Corolla seldom was above 35mpg. Oddly enough they both have the same size tires. In my opinion the Camry grades are L, LE, XLE in that order. The SE and the XSE are at the top. While I preferred the XSE I could find enough difference to warrant the cost of the XSE. Then someone said "unless you want a hot rod why not consider the Avalon?" Which I did.

 

The Avalon is nicer for sure. I was tempted but I kept reminding myself I started looking for 5 year old Camry and moved to new when I saw prices. The objective was easy to get around and lower cost, and long life . Gotta stop somewhere and the Camry SE was a good stopping point.

 

I'd choose the Camry over Corolla for the following reasons:

Fuel Economy is pretty close between the two
More Room in the Camry
Better ride quality IMO
Camry felt more solid and definitely more comfortable
I liked the security of a larger car/more mass if caught in an accident (I came from a badly totaled Accord and it saved my life)

If I had to do it again though I probably would be satisfied with just a Camry LE instead of the SE I got. The only thing I really wanted were the Softex seats for easier cleaning. Maybe I could have sourced those from Ebay or whatever but since I got a good deal on the SE I couldn't pass it up. For me I didn't care to much about other features like heated seats, leather, moonroof etc. since I just use the car for commuting.

So to answer your question I'd get the SE over the XSE

 

All great input folks, thank you! Starting to lean a little more towards the XSE but for those who own one, I am curious about how the ride is with the 19" wheels and the 40 profile tires. I saw someone mentioned earlier they felt they would crack from rough roads etc. Over time will the thinner profile wear down the quality of the ride inside the cabin? By that I mean will it shake loose the plastic fittings and panels eventually leaving me with a rattling interior (which I am currently experiencing on my 2015 Corolla S with 17 rims).

 

I bought a high mileage XSE in Feb, 135,000km. I've driven many Camry's including the 2018+ 8th gen and I'm impressed at how good this car feels with that mileage. [much was highway driving from the previous owner, but still]. Not quite as tight as a new rental but very good for a high mileage 4yr old car - really exceeded my expectations when I went to test drive it.

The 19" wheels do give a harsher ride and are louder [tire dependant]. I don't find it to be a problem, its leaps and bounds better than my 09 Corolla. You could put a slightly larger tire on the 19's, or swap out for smaller wheel/bigger tire combo for comfort - this is really just personal choice. The plastic panels in my car even with its mileage are not loose and rattling, I know exactly what you mean from the Corolla as my 09 did it almost from new and progressively worse over time. If you get the JBL stereo upgrade many have experienced rattles from the rear deck, myself included... lots of info on the fixes here on the site.

The pano roof is beautiful. The 19' wheels are a very nice look for oem Camry. The driving modes on XSE seems to help with or eliminate the more common transmission concerns... Sport mode doesn't give me any issues with transmission hunting or excessive shifting [though I don't have any appreciable problems in eco or normal either]

 

I went to the dealership yesterday and placed an order for a 2022 Camry XSE in Pre-Dawn Grey Mica!! I opted in for the Platinum 84mo/120,000km protection plan (mostly because these cars are so computer-laden that if things go sideways after 3 years, then I am SOL for some of these costs. They said the infotainment screen module costs well over $3K alone!!

So now an agonizingly long wait of 3-5 months!!! Then I will be able to sell my current car and then dump some of those funds back into the car payments. Happy Camper!!!

 

Call around a few dealers around the country and see if you can get a better deal on the extended warranty. If you bought the platinum plan at list price, the dealer probably made more money on the warranty than on the car.

 

You won't regret it. I have 2 XSEs and when I sat in my friends SE, it felt like plain jane, a very simplified version.

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