Used 2021 Toyota Camry for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Toyota Camry cost?

Prices have softened 2.16% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,109 listings available, which suggests a healthy 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 Camry also stands out as a comfortable, spacious sedan that works well for everyday use.

The trade-offs are familiar: the technology feels outdated, and the base engine is described as underwhelming. Even so, the Camry’s broad lineup and practical focus make it a strong fit if you want a dependable midsize sedan rather than something flashy.

Only 29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the best examples may move quickly.

Is the 2021 Toyota Camry reliable?

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

Reviewers repeatedly point to reliable performance and fuel efficiency, and the expert evaluation reinforces that reputation by describing Toyota’s reliability as one of the Camry’s most attractive traits. The Camry is also framed as a car you can count on for practical daily use over the long haul.

Toyota’s ownership experience is supported by average warranty coverage, and the model’s standard safety and efficiency focus adds to its dependability appeal. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the drivetrain 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 61.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and prioritize any signs of prior bodywork, airbag deployment, or inconsistent service records. A pre-purchase inspection is especially useful here, since condition can vary meaningfully from one listing to the next. Focus on how the car drives, how the cabin electronics behave, and whether the tires, brakes, and suspension show normal wear.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: LE and XLE use a cleaner grille, while SE, XSE, and TRD add more aggressive styling details and visual clutter. The base LE also starts with 17-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims move to larger wheels and more upscale interior materials.
• 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, the V6 brings 301 hp, and the hybrid is the efficiency play.
• 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, but 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 add a 9-inch screen, WiFi for up to five devices, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The four-cylinder LE and SE return 32 mpg combined with FWD and 29 mpg combined with AWD. The V6 is rated at 26 mpg combined in XLE trim, while 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 value-focused starting point, and it gives you the core Camry experience with the standard safety suite, a 7-inch touchscreen, and the base four-cylinder engine. It makes the most sense if you want the lowest-cost path into the lineup without giving up the essentials.
• SE: This is the best-value pick for many shoppers because it adds a sportier look and keeps the Camry’s practical strengths intact. If you want a little more style without jumping too far up the price ladder, this is the trim to target.
• SE Nightshade Edition: This is mainly for buyers who want the SE’s equipment with blacked-out exterior trim and wheels. It suits you if appearance matters more than added hardware.
• XLE: This is the more upscale choice, with leather upholstery and standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. It fits you best if comfort and convenience matter more than sporty styling.
• XSE: This trim blends the upscale and sporty sides of the Camry, and it can also bring the stronger dual-exhaust four-cylinder tune plus the available head-up display. It’s a good fit if you want a more premium feel without giving up a lively personality.
• TRD: This is the enthusiast pick, with the V6 and chassis upgrades that make it the most performance-oriented Camry in the lineup. Choose it if you want the most character and don’t mind giving up some everyday practicality.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on the XLE and XSE, but 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 have room to shop carefully without expecting deep discounts everywhere.

• Deal availability: 29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,109 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.16% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 61.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,989, 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 $21,792 sits slightly below last year's $22,273.

That decline suggests the Camry is holding value reasonably well, but not appreciating in the current market. For a future seller, that means your return will depend heavily on buying well, keeping mileage in check, and maintaining the car carefully.

The Camry’s broad appeal helps support resale because shoppers continue to value its reliability, efficiency, and practicality. Strong demand for well-kept examples should help cushion depreciation, especially for trims with desirable equipment.

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 IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA, including 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, but optional on LE and SE. That means lower trims still get a strong safety foundation, but you may want to prioritize a higher trim or add those features if they 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:

• 29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 61.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.16% 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 $20,555, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $21,792 average.
• It adds all-wheel drive and a sportier TRD option.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $23,404, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,792 average.
• It remains a roomy, reliable, efficient, safe, and affordable sedan.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the right pick if you want the updated safety tech and broad trim and powertrain choices without paying 2022 pricing. If you’re price-sensitive, the 2020 can be the smarter buy, especially if you want to save money and still get AWD or TRD availability.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.