2019 Toyota Camry SE Review | Final Drive

[@jleigh404]

Aside from my love of my Camry SE as a whole (this is my 4th one) you cannot beat Toyota as a company. They are amazing to deal with and the Toyota care warranty and tire coverage pays for itself. If you need a reliable low maintenance car this is it, and it’s so pretty and a dream to drive

[@FinalDriveshow]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Jillian!

[@fike301]

love it...bought the SE with a few add on options, basically an XSE with the 4 banger. bought it for 38mpg, not to drag race or take to the track to set records. it should have had driving lights as well

[@FinalDriveshow]

Awesome! The 4 cylinder should definitely meet your MPG needs especially with the Eco mode. Thanks for letting us know.

[@channyproduction4879]

I rented two camrys in 2018 , then leased one then finish lease drove cash cars then rented a tesla for 5 weeks loved it but it wasnt mine went back out and bought a 22 camry SE , love it ! 6 months 20k miles , driving strong !!!!!

[@FinalDriveshow]

Thanks for sharing! It's hard to beat a Camry.

[@reyscdailylifeexperience1474]

Quality wise, in my opinion, it's far better than American cars of its class.

[@FinalDriveshow]

I totally agree.

[@kjwong4730]

Its mostly built in America ironically

[@nicholasschneider2056]

Rey SC I had a 2009 Toyota Corolla xrs and the thing kicked ass man. Refused to die. Got tired of paying for brakes and just got a new 19 Camry se.

[@cloudies3671]

this dude..... its a 25k car wtf do you expect!??? bias review too

[@FinalDriveshow]

A lot more than what we got.

[@cloudies3671]

If you look at competitors around the Same price range fusion, Optima, Altima, Mazda, and accord. Which one of these cars have above 203 hp on a base engine? None

[@jxmar_]

cloudie puffy most of those don’t even offer factory options..

[@chaboi7]

@@cloudies3671 the Toyota will outlast all them cars by far

[@91myroc]

I just purchased a 19 SE in Super White on Ash Softex Leather with the $3k Audio and Convenience Package. I absolutely love it. I wanted the XSE in windchill pearl but it wasn’t in my budget just yet.

[@FinalDriveshow]

Congrats! 🎉 It sounds like you've outfitted your SE with everything to keep you happy until that XSE becomes a reality.

[@epitome1986]

you have great production behind your video( I haven't seen your other video). Still some opportunities for improvement with the scripting but keep doing what your doing and this channel will grow.

[@FinalDriveshow]

Thanks! I appreciate your feedback.

[@Tony-uo4ml]

Yeah and the XSE V6 is $6000 more and way heavier to drive. I think you're being a bit trivial dude.

[@FinalDriveshow]

Small price to pay for so much more car.

[@QuentinQuatermass]

I enjoyed your video, thanks! I bought a 2019 Camry SE 2.5L I4 in November and your points make sense though I love the front end of the 2018-19 SE/XSE, including the fake lower scoops! However the LE/XLE 'catfish' grille almost makes me gag. The SE/XSE fake rear vent doesn't bother me much but I have to say the LE/XLE looks cleaner without it. I love the look of the XSE dual exhaust with quad tips. The color coordinated SE/XSE 'aerodynamic' diffuser looks great, much better than that black thing in the LE/XLE. I also love the XSE all LED tail lights, much nicer than the partially lit SE tail lights I have. I think the SE front actually looks better than the XSE, the lights, the matte black instead of gloss black grille and the black instead of silver lower crossbar. For a daily driver I prefer the SE's less aggressive 18" wheels over the XSE's great looking 19" wheels. If I had a do-over I'd probably buy the same car I got, Camry SE in Super White with the black interior. The 2.5L engine has plenty of power and amazing gas mileage, about the same mileage as the much lighter 2019 Corolla with 1.8L engine. It rides and handles fine and looks sporty (especially sporty after those Camrys came in 1st, 2nd and 3rd at last week's Daytona 500. Only 6 Camrys in the race with 3 beating all 34 Mustangs and Camaros!) Of course our street cars couldn't be on the same track with NASCAR racers except as the Pace Car. All in all, a wonderful mid-size sedan that should be on anyone's short list, along with the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. Hopefully my new Camry SE will have the same excellent reliability as 7 other Toyotas my family has owned.

[@FinalDriveshow]

Wow! Thanks for your sharing your thoughts Quentin. I totally agree about the 'catfish' grille on the LE/XLE. 😂 It looks terrible. And 18" wheels definitely make for a better daily driver than 19" for sure. Here's hoping your new SE will outlast your other Toyotas. 👍

[@QuentinQuatermass]

@@FinalDriveshow Thanks, Famous! Hey, I hope you do become famous, as you're good in front of a camera and entertaining while still informative! You have your opinions yet keep the facts straight and the video moving. Back to that front grille that we love or hate, the car's paint job has an effect on how good it looks. I think it looks amazing with Super White, Wind Chill Pearl, Supersonic Red and Blue Crush but falls short in that gray metallic. That TRD you show at the end looks like Wind Chill Pearl with lots of black accents which looks awesome compared to gray. One thing I'm glad you pointed out - the passenger side rear headrest blocks visibility. My SE doesn't have blind spot monitoring so it's a problem, especially for my wife. In fact, I fold down the right rear seat when we're driving around town which greatly improves visibility. When on the freeway that lets in a lot of noise so on a long freeway trip I'd leave it up. I probably should have test drove a V6 Camry but only drove I4s. Fuel economy means a lot to us so I wrote the V6 off right at the beginning. Maybe it's better to not know what I'm missing but I should have tried one out. Anyway, I think you're going places. Subscribed!

[@FinalDriveshow]

@@QuentinQuatermass Thanks Quentin! It’s awesome subscribers like yourself that make the time and effort all worth it. 😀 Also, I appreciate all your insight and knowledge you share in the comment section. It helps grow our car community and provide a safe place for discussion whether you “love it, hate it or own it.” Yeah, the rear headrests are really tall in the Camry. Toyota could have made them removable if they wanted them that height because you shouldn’t have to fold the right rear seat down just to improve visibility. Hopefully Toyota will correct this in the future or at the very least add blind spot warning to the entire lineup. Very true! Ignorance is bliss. The V6 has the power when you need it is all. However, the 4 cylinder will save you a bunch on fuel and is MUCH easier to maintain especially when changing the spark plugs. Super White and Wind Chill Pearl are two of my favorite colors on the Camry. Thanks again for all your support!

[@QuentinQuatermass]

@@FinalDriveshow Yeah it surprised me the SE rear headrests are not removable, as they are in our 2008 RAV4. I read that they are adjustable in the 2019 Camry XSE, so maybe are removable as well. I will took at our headrest, maybe there's a way to make it removable. Normally I wouldn't bother but it is important. I'll ask at the dealership but they probably don't want to talk about a kludge. At the dealership I had an SE in Super White right next to an XSE in Wind Chill Pearl and the Pearl is amazing! But you can't get it in the SE, fortunately Super White is just as amazing. Ha! I could have got Pearl and BSM/RCRA and adjustable rear headrests by kicking in $4400 extra for the XSE! But try to find one of those without the $1200 panoramic moon roof so we're talking $5600 more. And another $5000 for the V8 - nah, it never ends! You gotta draw the line somewhere. I'm fine with our base SE with just all-weather floor/trunk mats and mud flaps which are good to have up here in the Pacific Northwest. Only other additions are a dual USB adapter for the cigarette lighter power port and a nice little tray ($10 at Amazon) that fits in that deep center console for little things that otherwise would get buried. Take care!

[@bestariel._.yuh029]

Eh.... I couldn’t justify paying over $30k for a Camry. It’s not even known for performance from the get-go. Its just a great mileage, daily car, dependable, reliable, practicality, low maintenance car

[@FinalDriveshow]

Very true, only time will tell if the TRD version will be the performance kick it needs.

[@FinalFlash2110]

So you want to pay less for something that is not as good mileage, not as dependable, not as reliable, and not as practical, with higher maintenance? I think you just justified buying it. lmao

[@chaboi7]

@@FinalFlash2110 what other car is competing with the Toyota at that price range? If you want less gas mileage then add some power to what you've got

[@FinalFlash2110]

@@chaboi7 Please re read my comment. You clearly didnt understand what I said. If you need clarification just ask.

[@maxrockatansky3896]

most annoying fact is the driver side windshield wiper can't be put up...like who the eff fell asleep running the CAD for the hood lol. Lastly the blind spot indicators should be standard. Otherwise it's a nice car commuting car.

[@FinalDriveshow]

I know right! Toyota dropped the ball with that poor hood design. 😂 Thanks for sharing your experience with us Max.

[@pengy44]

@@FinalDriveshow There's a procedure to get the windshield wipers up. as you turn off then engine, you have to switch the wipers on and the wipers will go into maintenance mode in... which basically brings the wipers up. Once your done, just turn on the engine and the wipers will go back down... not the most convenient way to do it but the wipers do tuck behind the hood. probably for aerodynamic purpose.

[@FinalDriveshow]

@@pengy44 Thanks for sharing! This work around is similar to turning the wipers on and then turning the engine off as the wipers reach full extension. Toyota should know better. If it 'aint broke, don't fix it. 😉

[@495891]

When you shut the engine off you press the mist up lever and hold it for 2 seconds and the wipers go into service mode and to go back to normal mode is pressed mist up one more time after starting again

[@HERBA005]

I have a 2018 SE and I love it.

[@FinalDriveshow]

That's awesome Anthony! Thanks for letting us know.

[@newkoreathreekingdom]

Do u have any transmission problems?

[@RB-xv4si]

Yeah, I agree the 4 cylinder is a letdown, especially when you consider that it has a 13:1 compression ratio (and only requires low octane gas!). You’d think it could muster 250 hp to make it 100hp/Liter (a good benchmark for a naturally aspirated engine), but it just doesn’t. Boggles the mind. On the other hand, if Toyota made the 4 cylinder too enticing, it could cannibalize 6 cylinder sales. IDK

[@FinalDriveshow]

Very true Russell! The 4 cylinder Camry should have a little more power for its size. 250 hp is a good performance benchmark, 100 hp per liter you mentioned, but 235 hp might be the perfect balance between fuel economy and performance as to not sway V6 buyers.

[@RCGJR_]

You should get someone that loves any car brands, not someone being a fan of something else.

[@FinalDriveshow]

We love all cars here at Final Drive.

[@joshuab1707]

I own one as of yesterday. Gotta say, I didn't think the windshield wiper would be something I'd have to check. I haven't tried lifting it with the hood up. But I like to lift them up when I am cleaning my cars so I can clean the whole windshield more easily and also allow them to hang dry. Now I gotta take the extra step to open the hood? Perhaps Toyota was attempting to minimize drag or something, a small corner to cut, but an annoying one. Everything else though I love. Just wish it had Android Auto. Perhaps we can get that with an over-the-air update.

[@FinalDriveshow]

Congrats on the new car Joshua! 🎉 Yeah, Toyota wasn’t thinking with the wiper arm, and it doesn’t matter if the hood is open or closed. There may be a service procedure in the owner’s manual or do like we did in the old days by waiting until your wiper arms reach full extension and shut the engine off. The wiper arms will freeze in place. Voila! Also, I doubt it was done for aerodynamics. If so, both arms, as well as the cowl, should be covered by the hood. This is how cars expensive enough for wiper arms to be a concern do it. As far as Android Auto, time will tell…

[@MarkMillerXX]

The wipers you complain about has a service mode, it'll raise the wipers and lock it there.... Read the manual it explains it.

[@FinalDriveshow]

Good to know Mark! But the Camry shouldn't need a "service mode" to perform this simple task.

[@Haddley333]

I actually like the looks of the car

[@FinalDriveshow]

Yeah, you're not alone. Thanks for letting us know!

[@RoseTorn411]

I simply luv this Camry that I can overlook the minor cons.

[@FinalDriveshow]

They say, "Luv is blind." 😂 Seriously though, it's a great car overall.

[@berttykb5147]

Awesome video man , please make more bring back channel

[@FinalDriveshow]

Thanks! I hope to start making content again soon.

[@thatkingdavid1819]

I think the style is good looking to me

[@FinalDriveshow]

Yeah, looks can be subjective. Thanks for sharing!

[@merlyndownes1326]

I love my Camry owned it.

[@merlyndownes1326]

2018 & 2019 loved both Se Camry cars also good on gas & drives great. I owned it from. Sloan Toyota.

[@FinalDriveshow]

@@merlyndownes1326 Thanks for sharing Merlyn! The SE is a popular trim level.

[@jpmel1]

Just bought 2019 SE on 4/27 love it, at first I didn't like that the dome light was way to far back, almost in the back seat, BUT there are lights in front above left & right, so no need to use the dome light, I like the fake vents, and I think the front grill is cool looking, really now issues at all except 1 thing but it is avoidable: Next time you're on the highway, doing say 50mph+ leave the front windows up but put the back windows all the way down. What you will experience is what you'll hear when the aliens ships attack earth, it's a deafening high pitched squeal beyond belief. front windows down, back windows up is fine, reverse it, you go deaf and your brain explodes. Beyond that I love the car.

[@FinalDriveshow]

Congrats on your new Camry and thank you for sharing your thoughts! I haven’t experienced this high pitched squeal you mentioned, but I know air pressure can do strange things at those speeds with the front/rear windows in the up/down position opposite of each other. However, I don’t want my brain to explode, so I’ll take your word for it. 😂 Also, this wouldn’t be the first time aliens attacked earth… 🤔

[@garyjohnson4575]

It was worse on the 2015, it felt like it was sucking out your brain, and the seatbelt would bang loudly! Just bought the 2019. And the 2015 had better speakers. It was a very low pitched bass on the 2015 never understood why.

[@koulou88]

My brother got 19 SXE, I got a 19 SE. his has way more features. Led running daylight, Toyota Connet he can start his car from anywhere in USA with his phone . I can’t do that with mine. He can charge his phone inside the car even when he doesn’t have a iPhone charger. I can’t do that . His got red leather seats mine don’t have those and his also has blue anbian light. Mine doesn’t have that. I wanted a SXE

[@FinalDriveshow]

Yeah, the XSE has a ton more features being the top-spec Camry. Like they say, gotta pay to play. Thanks for sharing your comparisons!

[@yardy4alltime994]

I agree with the review, I just bought the 2019 Camry and love it. The cons are true and annoying. The wiper thing oh yea shocking. I don't have an issue with the power as much as how it's tuned the car is lazy. yea yea I know it's not a sports car only looks like one but it could have been more responsive on the lower end, it appears it start off in 4th gear. the other stuff is just aesthetics and I give a pass. non biased review.

[@FinalDriveshow]

Thanks for letting us know you love it and sharing your thoughts!

[@MrJOHN082850]

hi...both wipers come up, you have to do a combo with wiper arm and power button i think i cant remember right now how to, but look it up!

[@whiwols]

You can actually get the wipers up by holding your wiper stocks up for 30s after turning your ignition off kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZqoeGh8esaqmdE

[@GloXum]

I’m debating on either this or the Lexus IS 300 (Used) I love in Canada where it snows from November to April. The Lexus has all wheel drive awhile the Camry doesn’t. The Lexus also requires premium gas which the Camry doesn’t.

[@FinalDriveshow]

They are both Toyota's underneath, so you can't go wrong with either if budget is not an issue. I definitely recommend checking them both out in person before you decide as I have found the IS 300's interior feels a lot smaller than the Camry.

[@NorCalNiner707]

Get the IDrive, eliminates the lag

[@hulu3253]

I agree with you and many other people that the grill is just not a good looking design. 200+ hp are more then enough for my taste, no matter what car. I have driven a 1975 Datsun Y120 with 55 hp and automatic transmission (in germany!) at the time and i arrived at my destination fast enough 😁. We are spoiled these days arent we?

[@FinalDriveshow]

Spoiled indeed! Sporty cars average around 200 hp these days. I guess you have no excuse for being late to work. 😉

[@495891]

You put the wipers in service mode when you shut the engine off you hold the mist up button for 2 seconds and they go to service mode

[@FinalDriveshow]

Thanks for the heads-up Nathan! A few viewers have mentioned that; however, it's just a shame that something as simple as lifting your wiper blades now requires a "service mode" on Camrys. 🤦

[@AdventuringWithMike]

Own it. Just picked it up

[@FinalDriveshow]

Sweet! Let us know how it treats you.

[@MrDklocks]

How are you liking it? I test drove one yesterday and really considering buying it.

[@AdventuringWithMike]

@@MrDklocks I absolutely love it! You gotta get into the throttle a bit more then I'm use to but I have 0 complaints and would buy it all over again

[@pengy44]

There's issues with the transmission shifting when you're rolling at 5-10mph and trying to accelerate. Because of the 8 speed, the tranny tends to be searching for the right gear all the time. If you slowdown to 5-10 mph and try to accelerat, there will be a lagg in the response. A second later, the gear will dowshift causing you to jerk forward. It's a known issue on the 2018 models that is fixable. I don't know if it exists in the 2019. I've gotten use to it though and can adjust for that shift shock. Not a big issue but can be cumbersome for those who like super smooth shifting right out of the lot.

[@ewinedm9250]

I'm disappointed with the sound system. I did not realized it lacked so much in the rear. I still love mine.

[@CloakedHDTV]

Color matched shark fin antenna 🤣 I also like when they are color matched

[@FinalDriveshow]

😂 I know right! It's 2019. This should be commonplace.

[@CloakedHDTV]

@@FinalDriveshow absolutely agree!

[@coreysawyers9886]

This guy hates on the Camry so much why even review the car I love the Camry the front end also he is looking at every little thing to pick on

[@FinalDriveshow]

Glad you love your Camry Corey! Several others love theirs as well. However, my channel is about "brutally honest auto reviews." No bias. No sponsor influence. If it's good I'll tell you and if it's bad, I'll tell you too. 💯

[@fike301]

I agree...myself think the front end is awesome. cant review a 30k price tag and compare to 75k options and performance.....myself was impressed at the power vs the 38mpg, I have truck to tow the boat...if your looking for a 700hp race car to buy this aint the one lol

[@chaboi7]

@@fike301 I also agree, the car is cheap but more reliable then anyone else, looks good & you can add more power anytime if that's what you're looking for

[@raymondgreenwood1]

That is a SE its a lower trim model .. You have to upgrade to resolve some of your issues... Also remember they are also LEXUS... Put too much in them and the Lexus would have to fly and drive on air consumption

[@FinalDriveshow]

Thanks for sharing Raymond! True, automakers intentionally omit some features to make higher trims more appealing even with their luxury divisions. However, there are some commonsense features that should be standard across all trim levels.

[@marcant2011]

Good detailed review 👌🏾

[@FinalDriveshow]

Thanks for watching!

[@NQBN]

Thanks 🙏 for reviewing SE, there is many videos for the fucking XSE but not for LE or SE.

[@FinalDriveshow]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@dbourke7385]

2020 and still no rear vents on some models. RIDICULOUS!

[@princegorman2979]

Some of them have turning signals on the side mirrors and others don't have. Why?

[@FinalDriveshow]

Good question. The answer has to do with trim levels. In 2019, only the XSE and XLE trims had the mirror turn-signals.

[@mrcatfish2100]

This was a dam good review.

[@FinalDriveshow]

Thanks!

[@robmezza6003]

Your right about the engine.

[@howardrice9527]

Like it! A+A+

[@FinalDriveshow]

Thanks Howard!

[@coolstory6193]

Can you switch to sport mode on this or no?

[@FinalDriveshow]

Yes. All you have to do to activate it is to press the "sport" button.

[@whiwols]

The wiper blades isn't much of an issue, just not the conventional way of getting it up. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZqoeGh8esaqmdE

[@FinalDriveshow]

Thanks Richard! But like they say, "If it isn't broke, don't fix it." 😂

[@powermetaladdict]

Ordered 2023 se upgraded all black out..then lost my license the same day 😅 fuck me

[@FinalDriveshow]

Damn that sux! Hope you got your license back by now.

[@m18man81]

Does it have the homelink system on se model?

[@FinalDriveshow]

Yes, it is part of the Convenience Package.

[@MarioLopez-hi7nj]

I paid 44

[@potatosalad9519]

203hp feels inadequate because of the trash transmission its hooked to.

[@FinalDriveshow]

😂

[@imranabbasi7871]

👍

[@FinalDriveshow]

Thanks!

[@alexmorales3484]

Sluggish transmission and only 203 HP.

[@FinalDriveshow]

Exactly!

[@salemsaberhagen8390]

for the same price i can find a limited sonata with so much more /sigh such a let down

[@FinalDriveshow]

Very true! Toyota knows they can charge a premium over their competitors.

[@chaboi7]

@@FinalDriveshow the Toyota will outlast a stupid sonata

[@FinalDriveshow]

@@chaboi7 Definitely. Toyota reliability is legendary, just ask Scotty Kilmer.