The 2017 Camry lineup: four main trims with clear differences in comfort and features

The 2017 Toyota Camry came in four trim levels: LE, SE, XSE, and XLE. Each step up added comfort features, safety technology, or performance upgrades rather than changing the car's basic structure. The LE was the entry point with cloth seats and manual controls. The SE added a sportier suspension and steering feel. The XSE brought leather and more convenience features. The XLE was the luxury version with the most standard equipment.

All 2017 Camrys used the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine as standard, producing 178 horsepower. A V6 option with 268 horsepower was available on SE, XSE, and XLE models. The choice between four-cylinder and V6 affected fuel economy, acceleration, and towing capacity more than the trim level itself.

Key Takeaways

  • The LE trim is the base model with manual windows and air conditioning, while XLE adds leather seats, a power moonroof, and automatic headlights as standard.
  • The SE trim emphasizes handling with a sport-tuned suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels, making it feel different to drive than the LE despite the same engine.
  • A V6 engine was available on SE, XSE, and XLE trims but not on the LE, and it increased fuel consumption by roughly 2 to 3 miles per gallon in combined driving.
  • Safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert came standard on XSE and XLE but were optional on LE and SE.
  • Transmission choices were a six-speed automatic on four-cylinder models and an eight-speed automatic on V6 models across all trims.

LE: The base model with essential comfort

The LE was the entry-level trim and the most affordable way to own a 2017 Camry. It came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, six-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. Standard features included air conditioning, power windows and locks, a 6.1-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, and a backup camera.

The LE did not include leather seats—they were cloth. The steering wheel was not power-adjustable, and the driver's seat had manual height adjustment rather than power. There was no moonroof, no automatic headlights, and no blind-spot monitoring. If you wanted a V6 engine, the LE trim was not an option; the V6 started at the SE level.

The LE was practical for buyers who drove mostly city streets or short commutes and did not need luxury features. It had the same safety structure and airbag count as higher trims, so the difference was comfort and convenience, not crash protection.

SE: Sport-focused handling and a V6 option

The SE trim added a sport-tuned suspension that made the Camry feel more responsive in corners and during lane changes. It came with 17-inch alloy wheels (the LE had 16-inch steel wheels), which contributed to the firmer, more connected driving feel. The SE also included a power-adjustable driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 6.1-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth.

The SE was the first trim where a V6 engine became available. The 3.5-liter V6 produced 268 horsepower compared to the four-cylinder's 178, and it paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission instead of the six-speed. The V6 made the Camry noticeably quicker off the line and on the highway, but it reduced fuel economy from roughly 28 mpg combined (four-cylinder) to about 25 mpg combined.

The SE still had cloth seats as standard, though leather was available as an option. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on the SE, not standard. The SE appealed to drivers who wanted a sportier feel without paying for the luxury features of the XSE.

XSE: Leather, convenience features, and standard safety tech

The XSE added leather-trimmed seats, a power moonroof, and automatic headlights that turned on and off with ambient light. The driver's seat included power lumbar support for lower-back adjustment. The XSE came with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standard, whereas these were optional on lower trims.

The XSE was available with both the four-cylinder and V6 engines. The four-cylinder version offered a good balance of fuel economy and performance for buyers who did not need the extra power. The V6 option made the XSE feel like a mid-size luxury sedan in acceleration and passing ability, though it still carried the Camry's practical, understated design.

The XSE included a 6.1-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and a backup camera, the same as lower trims. A navigation system with a 7-inch screen was available as an option. The XSE represented the point where the Camry shifted from practical transportation to comfort-focused daily driving.

XLE: The top trim with maximum standard equipment

The XLE was the highest trim level and included everything from the XSE plus additional luxury features. It came standard with a power moonroof, automatic headlights, leather seats with power lumbar support, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The XLE also added a power-adjustable passenger seat, a 7-inch touchscreen with navigation, and a premium eight-speaker audio system.

Like the XSE, the XLE was available with both four-cylinder and V6 engines. The V6 version was the most powerful and quickest Camry configuration available in 2017. The XLE with V6 delivered 268 horsepower, an eight-speed automatic, and all the comfort and safety features Toyota offered for the model year.

The XLE appealed to buyers who wanted a fully equipped sedan without paying for a luxury brand. It had the same reliability and warranty as lower trims but with more standard features, so you paid less in options and upgrades to get the equipment you wanted.

Engine and transmission choices across trims

All 2017 Camrys used one of two engines. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder produced 178 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The optional 3.5-liter V6 produced 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The four-cylinder engine was available on all four trims: LE, SE, XSE, and XLE. The V6 was available only on SE, XSE, and XLE. If you wanted a V6 Camry, you had to step up to the SE trim at minimum. The V6 improved 0-to-60 acceleration by roughly one second and made highway merging and passing feel less strained, but it reduced fuel economy and increased the purchase price.

Both engines used regular unleaded gasoline and came with a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The transmission type (six-speed or eight-speed) depended on the engine choice, not the trim level.

Exterior and interior design differences

The 2017 Camry's exterior design was the same across all trims—the body shape, door handles, and overall proportions did not change. The main visual differences were wheel size and the presence or absence of a moonroof. The LE and SE came with 16-inch or 17-inch wheels respectively, while the XSE and XLE had 17-inch alloy wheels as standard. The moonroof was optional on SE and XSE but standard on XLE.

Inside, the LE had cloth seats and a simpler dashboard layout. The SE added a leather-wrapped steering wheel and sport-tuned suspension tuning, which affected how the car felt rather than how it looked. The XSE and XLE had leather-trimmed seats, which changed the interior appearance and feel. The XLE added a power-adjustable passenger seat and a more advanced touchscreen system with navigation.

All trims had the same instrument cluster design and the same basic dashboard layout. The differences were in materials (cloth versus leather), seat adjustability, and the size and capability of the infotainment screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a V6 engine in a 2017 Camry LE?

No. The V6 engine was available only on SE, XSE, and XLE trims. If you wanted a V6 Camry, the SE was the lowest trim level available. The LE came exclusively with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.

What is the difference between the SE and XSE besides price?

The SE has a sport-tuned suspension, cloth seats, and optional blind-spot monitoring. The XSE adds leather seats, automatic headlights, a power moonroof, and standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The XSE is more comfort-focused; the SE is more performance-focused.

Does the LE have a backup camera?

Yes. All 2017 Camry trims, including the LE, came standard with a backup camera and a 6.1-inch touchscreen display. This was a federal safety requirement for all new cars starting in 2018, and Toyota included it on all 2017 models.

Which trim should I choose if I want the best fuel economy?

Any trim with the four-cylinder engine will deliver the best fuel economy. The LE, SE, XSE, and XLE all achieved roughly 28 mpg combined with the four-cylinder. The V6 reduced that to about 25 mpg combined. Trim level does not affect fuel economy; engine choice does.

Is the moonroof standard on all 2017 Camrys?

No. The moonroof was standard only on the XLE. It was optional on the SE and XSE and not available on the LE. If a moonroof was important to you, the XLE was the only trim where it came included in the base price.