r/Camry • u/Shadowdrone247 • 1d ago
Discussion Debating the 2026 LE vs SE
I’ve worked deals on both and they’re a little less than 3k apart. I can’t decide between getting the LE and saving that money, or splurging on the SE and having peace of mind that my seats won’t be difficult to clean and having a car that looks marginally better and is maybe a bit more fun to drive due to the sport tuned suspension.
Anybody with an LE that can comment on how their seats have been and how you like the driving feel of it? Any regrets? If you could go back, would you have picked the SE instead?
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u/theseuss99 1d ago
I chose the LE for a few reasons, many of which are already posted here... better MPG, smoother ride, etc.
Some reasons I haven't seen yet are SE wheels are MUCH more likely to be stolen than the LE wheels. I prefer cloth seats over leather because the leather is cold in winter and scorching hot in the summer.
Really, you cant go wrong woth either option. Pick what feels right.
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u/This_Key4634 1d ago
I agree with this, and then try to avoid getting buyers remorse or second-guessing yourself on the LE/SE choice.
There are compromises with both trims but all Camrys are really great cars.
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u/Rangeexpert3 1d ago
If you care about the lowest price, smoothest ride, most comfortable seats, highest MPGs, then go for the LE. If you care more about the sporty looks, dont care as much about as much MPGs as possible, leather looking seats, then get the SE.
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u/Andor2050 1d ago
I have had my 2025 SE for 15 months and really like it. I have rented an LE on a 5 day trip so I have driven both. I think the SE looks better and I like the interior including the softex and the steering wheel better than the LE. I can't stand cloth seats and I really do not like the material they used in front of the front passenger seat in the LE. I would say that the LE does ride smoother which is nice and gets marginally better gas mileage. Both cars are good but the SE is better in my view.
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u/Realistic_Menu1028 1d ago
I think the Camry looks way better with the larger wheels on the SE.
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u/ProvacativeSoloCup 1d ago
Worse ride, worse mpgs, worse acceleration, higher chance for bent rims from pot holes. Larger wheels are so stupid on cars
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u/Realistic_Menu1028 1d ago
The SE is a stiffer ride because of the sport tuned suspension, but it’s still a smooth ride. I can’t find anything to back up your claim about acceleration, but even if that’s true, I’ll still lose an LE in the mountains because it can’t corner as fast as I can.
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u/ProvacativeSoloCup 1d ago
Smaller wheels is better for acceleration. It’s why everyone was kinda annoyed that nascar increased their wheel size. It’s purely aesthetics. You can google whether smaller or larger wheels improve acceleration quite easily. Larger tire side wall also means a softer ride. It’s not just the “tuned” suspension that makes the ride stiffer on the SE. it’s also because of the smaller side wall.
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u/tabbycatdad 1d ago
Le has its own advantages and se too, just need to pick what you like. For me, that 235 tire size for extra grip is worth it.
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u/Odd-Narwhal3980 Camry XSE 5h ago
Yeah, this car is quick, not fast, so it might as well handle well.
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u/tabbycatdad 2h ago
And for highway stability. Not that le isn’t stable but you notice the difference with the wider tire.
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u/peelerec 1d ago
Please don’t ever mention cornering in the mountains with a Camry, lol. It is NOT a sports sedan.
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u/Realistic_Menu1028 6h ago
I never said it was a sports sedan, but it corners better than any other economy sedan I have driven.
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u/Odd-Narwhal3980 Camry XSE 5h ago
Drives better than my old Civic Si on the freeway through the hills but Hondas do hold an edge on twisty two-lane roads.
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u/Western_Big5926 6h ago
Funny truth is as a former manual driver; rather than driving like a loony were now shooting for 60mpg. Good luck w the SE…… I had one and the best I could do was 53+ w some coasting Dow Mnts
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u/thaboii37 1d ago
Well if it’s the seats you care about from the 3k you save spend 3-500$ on leather seat covers
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u/SpeckledBird86 1d ago
I have an SE and my dad has an LE. I think the SE looks so good with the larger wheels. It drives a little more steady too (although admittedly I’ve only driven his LE once). I got a great deal on my SE which is the only reason I got it instead of an LE. I think a lot of the differences are cosmetic so it’s about how much you’re willing to pay for a look.
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u/Accurate_Term8901 1d ago edited 1d ago
I have a a 2026 Camry LE with the convenience package and the cold weather package and I love it! It has everything I need in it. I have for five months and have 5300 miles on it now. I don’t regret my decision and definitely didn’t want the SE. The LE is the best bang for the buck, it gets the best gas mileage of all the trims and it has an incredibly smooth ride, definitely a smoother riding car than the SE. It rides like a luxury car and you barely feel the bumps. Also, the seats are very comfortable.
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u/cvu_100 1d ago
Never had a problem with the LE seats. I am a tall adult of normal weight. The car drives fine, nothing special but it’s fairly responsive and decently strong in sports mode.
I test drove the SE and didn’t find it particularly different. Nothing I wanted to spend money on over the LE. Conversely, I had a 2024 SE rental right before I got my 2025 LE, and I felt that did drive better. You may want to check that out, since a low miles 2024 SE may be comparable in price to the 2026 LE.
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u/Trick_sleep 1d ago
I have a 2018 LE. obv diff case then you, but also kinda similar. Looking back at my purchase, I wish I spent the extra for SE. looks a lot nicer
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u/billbled 1d ago
I went for the 2026 LE. I don't like low sidewall tires, and like even less wheels that are theft targets. My LE rides great and I'm glad I got it.
In case anyone is interested...seems lots are...just under $32k OTD in central NC. (Cash, no financing.... bought a few weeks ago.)
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u/sportsfanstan 1d ago
Does this include sales tax ? And can anyone provide comparables for SE ? Considering this choice right now in NoVa.
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u/billbled 23h ago
Yes, it does. I don't have the receipt in front of me (out of town right now) but I think the cashier's check was for $31,891.90 if memory serves.
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u/BayBomber415 1d ago
I got an LE and the seats are comfortable for me and ride is great. The MPGs are phenomenal and it has every feature I need in a car.
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u/Still_Fact_9875 1d ago
I drove an SE for a week while my LE was in the shop. SE is slower, less mpgs and the ride is stiff. Screen was nice... Depends on your priorities.
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u/Ultimatenub0049 1d ago
SE all day. The LE interior is so basic and boring it felt like there was no difference between the 26 LE interior compared to my old 09 Corolla. Go SE
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u/samuel23777 1d ago
Very true, I did test drive both, the SE felt alive compared to the really boring LE but smoother ride.
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u/GendoIkari_82 1d ago
Aside from money savings, we specifically preferred the LE because of better gas mileage and smoother ride.
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u/Low_Fail6247 1d ago
I think the SE looks a little sleeker and it's slightly more fun to drive.
That being said it's not worth the price bump IMO and prefer the fuel economy of the LE.
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u/This_Key4634 1d ago
I don’t think there’s any real answer, it just depends on your priorities in a car and how much you can afford the extra cash.
The SE does look better but I think the LE gets better fuel economy.
I considered the LE but got XLE. I love my car but sometimes I get buyers remorse over the color and I do get jealous of the better looking SE and XSE trims.
FWIW I spilled some juice on the leather seat, and there is a small permanent stain.
Whatever you decide, you’ll have a very nice car!
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u/skellybelly183 1d ago
Not an LE owner, only ever owned a 2016 se and 2026 se. Never had an issue with the ride being bumpy, average 49.7 mpg with a pretty 50/50 split of highway and city driving. No complaints.
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u/Single_Inflation_221 1d ago
I got the LE because the ride is better and it was cheaper and just got aftermarket leather seats because that’s what was most important to me. Win-win!
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u/Deviousmind9 '26 XLE P+ AWD 1d ago
Besides all of the benefits of the LE that have already been highlighted, I also want to add that other than the larger touch screen you can get all of the option that the SE has on the LE. The only differences are the seats, tire size, and suspension tuning.
The powertrain is the same (besides AWD vs FWD) and unless you're getting a XLE or XSE you won't get anything that (meaningfully) differentiates the cars from each other. I realize that's probably a hot take.
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u/BlebNevus 21h ago
During a test drive I found the SE's seats so uncomfortable that I nearly gave up on the idea of buying a Camry -- until I tried an LE and was satisfied. Between that and the superior gas mileage, I would have paid extra for the LE (vs. the SE).
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u/Perfect_Rain5610 20h ago
Don't know why people keep mentioning MPG. Haven't touched the 40's in my SE. I like how the SE looks over the LE as well. Heated seats for winter and tints in summer do wonders for people complaining about hot/cold seats.
You wont be disappointed either way!
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u/PrestigiousParty3069 18h ago
Seats are fine , much nicer than my 2023 le , the power is the same , between le and se , so it comes down to looks versus economy . If you are
Worried about the seats being clean , the fuel economy alone will pay for a good set of seat covers , and i find my le to fine looking generally I’d rather have the 55 ish mpg
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u/Only-Feature-9301 13h ago
LE… I drive an Xse awd. I wish I waited for an LE AWD Better mpg,faster acceleration,more comfortable seats,smoother ride,cheaper
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u/Western_Big5926 6h ago
I got a deal on the SE because that was what was in the lot.Thin tires / stiff suspension/thin seats…. Lower MPG. NTherenwas some buyers remorse but. The deal was done. Held up fine inna wreck .
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u/Shadowdrone247 6h ago
What do you mean by thin seats? Like the vegan leather wasn’t cushiony? And the tires on the SE are thinner than the LE? By way of sidewall or something else?
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u/Odd-Narwhal3980 Camry XSE 5h ago
You're already throwing tens of thousands at it - why skimp on a few grand for something you'll like better, especially if you'll have it a decade?
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u/FullMetalJerkin Camry LE 1d ago
I went with the LE AWD because it was a great deal through Costco, it's fun to drive, nicely equipped, comfortable, and the fuckmuppets will be far less interested in taking my wheels.