On August 27, 2001,[2] for the 2002 model year, the Toyota Camry was released as a larger sedan (taking styling cues from the successful Vitz, Corolla and Solara) only, but without a station wagon for the first time.

Due to station wagons losing popularity to minivans and crossover SUVs, the Camry wagon was replaced by the Sienna minivan (in North America only) and the Highlander SUV, both vehicles utilizing the Camry's platform.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Camry Good overall in their frontal offset crash test.

[9] Until the 2003 model year, the Camry Solara remained on the previous XV20 chassis, and received only minor styling upgrades to the front and rear ends.

This concept vehicle had significant performance and visual upgrades from the production Toyota Camry and hinted at the TRD Aurion.

Other manufacturing facilities for their respective regional markets include locations in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Taiwan.

[13] The Verossa was not a strong seller, and was replaced by the Mark X in 2004, continuing to offer a rear-wheel drive powertrain.

Some of this generation Camry sold in the US are being produced at TMMK as well as at Tsutsumi Plant in Toyota, Aichi, Japan.

A Camry manufactured in Japan is denoted with a VIN starting with "JTD", as well as a small hatch on the passenger's side of the front bumper containing equipment that is compatible with Japanese towing systems; US-made models are denoted with a VIN starting with "4T1".

[15] In addition to the LE and SE trims, the top-of-the-line XLE came standard with alloy wheels, JBL premium audio system, and leather, as well as optional side airbags and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).

[14] In 2002, for the 2003 model year, a few new features were added including the optional, power-adjustable pedals and pedal-type parking brake for the XLE trim.

Interior upgrades to the Camry included a rear center head restraint, a storage bin in the door, Optitron electroluminescent gauges, steering wheel-mounted audio controls standard for all trim levels, chrome interior door handles and shift gear button, and standard leather seating on V6-powered XLE trims.

[19] In Australia and New Zealand, the 2002 to 2006 Camry is available in five different trims: the Altise, Ateva, Sportivo, Grande (2004 onwards) and Azura.

The Ateva model had an interior upgrade to leather trim and rear passenger air conditioning vents.

[22] More than 90% of Australian Camry exports are left-hand drive vehicles to Middle East countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

[23][24] Overseas demand for the Australian-made Camry was still running at record levels, despite the release of an all-new model in mid-2006.

[28] The Camry in Taiwan and Southeast Asia of this generation looked very similar to other versions, but the front end had a "thicker" grille and larger, all-white, differently shaped headlights.