Used 2021 Toyota Camry for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Toyota Camry cost?

Prices have softened 2.28% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,133 listings available, which suggests you have a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota Camry a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Toyota Camry earns a 4.65/5 user rating and a 7.83/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Safety.

Drivers consistently praise its smooth ride, great handling, stylish design, fuel efficiency, and reliable performance. The expert review also frames it as a roomy, practical midsize sedan that works well for everyday use, especially if you want a comfortable cabin and broad configuration choices.

The trade-offs are familiar ones: the technology is described as outdated, and the base engine is called underwhelming. Even so, the Camry’s mix of practicality and broader appeal makes it a strong fit if you want a dependable sedan rather than something flashy.

There are 30.5% good or great deals in the market, which points to decent shopping opportunities.

Is the 2021 Toyota Camry reliable?

Owners rate it 4.65/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback highlights reliable performance, and the expert review reinforces Toyota’s reputation for reliability and practicality. The performance write-up also describes the Camry as a car that rewards drivers more than previous generations, while still keeping its everyday usability intact.

Toyota’s warranty coverage is average for the segment, but the brand’s reliability reputation remains a major ownership advantage. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about mechanical drama and more about finding a well-kept example with a clean history and consistent maintenance.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Toyota Camry?

At 62.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has had bodywork or multiple owners. Focus on condition details that matter in daily use, including interior wear, infotainment behavior, tire condition, and evidence of uneven maintenance. If you’re comparing several listings, the cleanest example is often worth paying a little more for.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: LE and XLE models get a cleaner grille, while SE, XSE, and TRD trims add more aggressive styling but also more visual clutter from fake vents. The base LE rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, and the TRD stands apart with unique styling elements like a larger rear spoiler.
• Powertrain: The Camry offers a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 3.5-liter V6, and a hybrid setup. The four-cylinder is the base engine, the V6 brings 301 hp and 267 lb-ft, and the hybrid is rated at 208 hp total system output.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard and includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on XLE and XSE, and optional on LE and SE.
• Infotainment: The standard setup uses a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, and SiriusXM. Higher trims get a 9-inch screen, WiFi for five devices, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system, while XSE and XLE can add a 10-inch head-up display.
• Fuel efficiency: The four-cylinder LE and SE are rated at 32 mpg combined with FWD and 29 mpg combined with AWD. The V6 is rated at 26 mpg combined in XLE trim, and the hybrid reaches a maximum of 52 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Toyota Camry trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota Camry is offered in 6 trim levels: LE, XLE, SE, SE Nightshade Edition, XSE, and TRD.

Here's the short version:

• LE: This is the best-value starting point if you want the Camry’s core strengths without paying for extras. You still get the standard safety suite, the 7-inch touchscreen, and the base four-cylinder powertrain, making it the most straightforward choice for budget-minded shoppers.
• SE: This trim adds a sportier look and sits near the middle of the lineup, which makes it a good fit if you want a little more style without jumping to the pricier upper trims. It also keeps the Camry’s practical everyday character intact.
• SE Nightshade Edition: This is the style-focused pick if you want the SE’s equipment with blacked-out exterior trim and wheels. It suits you if appearance matters more than added tech or luxury.
• XLE: This is the comfort-leaning upgrade, with leather upholstery and access to more premium tech and safety content. It makes sense if you want a more upscale daily driver.
• XSE: This is the best fit if you want a more premium-feeling Camry with stronger equipment content and available head-up display. It also gets the standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert package.
• TRD: This is the enthusiast choice, with the V6, chassis upgrades, bigger brakes, and summer-tire availability. It’s the trim to choose if you want the most performance-oriented Camry.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on the XLE and XSE, and optional on the LE and SE.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Toyota Camry?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 30.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,133 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.28% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 62.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,993, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Toyota Camry's resale value?

The current average of $21,773 sits slightly below last year's $22,280.

That mild decline suggests the Camry is holding value reasonably well, but not aggressively appreciating. For a future seller, that means your return will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim desirability rather than on market momentum alone.

The good news is that the Camry’s broad appeal should help support demand when you eventually sell. Buyers still respond to its reputation for practicality, efficiency, and reliability, which helps keep resale interest steady.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.65/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota Camry safe?

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the highest five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five-star ratings in front, side, and rollover crash tests.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard, and it includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Toyota also adds Rear Seat Reminder on all trim levels.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on XLE and XSE, and optional on LE and SE. That means lower trims still get a strong base safety package, but you may want to step up if those extra driver aids matter to you.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Camry or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 30.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 62.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.28% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.65/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds updated infotainment displays and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $20,533, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $21,773 average.
• It adds all-wheel drive and the TRD performance variant.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $23,434, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,773 average.
• It remains a roomy, reliable, efficient, safe, and affordable sedan.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and everyday usefulness, the 2021 is the primary year to target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money while still giving you AWD and TRD availability.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.