Used 2021 Toyota Camry for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Toyota Camry cost?

Prices have softened 2.38% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,128 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $20,995.93, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Toyota Camry a good car?

Yes — 4.65/5 from owners, and the expert rating is 7.83/10. The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Safety.

Drivers consistently praise the Camry for its smooth ride, great handling, stylish design, fuel efficiency, and reliable performance. That lines up with the broader appeal here: you get a practical midsize sedan that still feels more engaging than the Camry nameplate used to suggest.

The trade-offs are familiar ones: the infotainment system is dated, and the base engine is described as underwhelming. Even so, the Camry’s comfort, spaciousness, and broad powertrain lineup make it easy to match to your needs.

With 28.9% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota Camry reliable?

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

Drivers describe the Camry as reliable and dependable, with performance that feels smooth and trouble-free in everyday use. The expert evaluation also emphasizes Toyota’s excellent reputation for reliability and notes that the Camry remains a car you can count on over the long haul.

Toyota’s ownership pitch is reinforced by average warranty coverage and a reputation built on durability rather than drama. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the model’s core dependability and more about finding one that has been maintained well and hasn’t been worn down by heavy use.

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

At 62.6% 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 pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car is priced near the low end of the market. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the equipment level matches the trim you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: LE and XLE models get a cleaner grille, while SE, XSE, and TRD trims add more visual clutter from fake vents; the TRD also gets unique styling elements like a larger rear spoiler.
• Powertrain: You can choose a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 3.5-liter V6, or a hybrid setup; the four-cylinder is the base engine, while the V6 and hybrid are only available with front-wheel drive.
• 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.
• Infotainment: The standard setup uses a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, and SiriusXM; higher trims add a 9-inch screen, WiFi, navigation, and a JBL audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The four-cylinder LE and SE return 32 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 29 mpg combined with all-wheel drive; the V6 is rated at 26 mpg combined in XLE form, and the hybrid reaches up to 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, a 7-inch touchscreen, and the base four-cylinder powertrain, making it the most straightforward choice for shoppers who care more about value than flash.
• XLE: This trim is the better pick if you want a more upscale feel and more available tech. It adds the cleaner, more premium side of the Camry’s personality and is a smart step up if comfort and features matter more than keeping the price as low as possible.
• SE: Choose this if you want a sportier look without jumping all the way to the TRD. It brings the more aggressive styling theme and sits in the middle of the lineup, so it can make sense if you want a balance of price and appearance.
• SE Nightshade Edition: This is for you if you like the SE formula but want the blacked-out exterior treatment and wheels. It’s a style-focused choice rather than a major mechanical upgrade.
• XSE: This is the right move if you want a more premium sport-oriented Camry with more available equipment. It pairs the sharper styling with higher-end features and is a strong fit if you want a nicer cabin and more tech.
• TRD: Buy this if you want the most performance-focused Camry. It adds the V6 plus chassis upgrades, bigger brakes, and available summer tires, so it’s the trim to target if driving enjoyment matters most.

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 is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and deal activity to shop carefully.

• Deal availability: 28.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,128 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.38% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 62.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,995.93, 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 $21,731 sits slightly below last year's $22,261.

That softer pricing suggests the Camry is in a buyer-friendly phase right now, which can help you if you’re shopping used but may limit upside if you’re planning to resell soon. Even so, the model’s broad appeal, strong reputation, and steady demand should help it hold value better than many sedans in the segment.

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 and five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 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 the XLE and XSE, and optional on the LE and SE. That means you may need to step up a trim or add options if you want those extra driver-assistance features.

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:

• 28.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 62.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.38% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.65/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 update brings revised styling, upgraded infotainment displays, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $20,381, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $21,731 average.
• It adds all-wheel drive and the TRD, broadening the lineup.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $23,438, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,731 average.
• It keeps the Camry’s roomy, reliable, efficient formula with broad appeal.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and everyday usability, the 2021 is the sweet spot. If your priority is saving money, the 2020 is the better value play; if you’re willing to pay more for a newer model-year alternative, the 2022 is the next step up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.