Safe, dependable, fuel-efficient, and comfortable are the main things that can describe the Toyota Camry (2018–present)—a mid-size family sedan that has stood out for years due to its exceptional reputation for dependability and resale value. For more than a decade, the Camry was the best-selling car in the US.
The recent year models of Toyota Camry build on their prior strengths and introduce a cost-effective hybrid model, a more fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, a potent V-6 engine, improved ride and handling, and a wider range of standard comfort and safety features. Even though some features, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, are missing from the 2018 version or lack Android Auto support on the later year models.
In this blog, we will discuss information about the latest versions of the Camry, its existing factory car audio system, and how to improve it by helping you choose the best upgrades while guiding you throughout the installation process.
Read on to learn what it takes to give the Toyota Camry the best sound quality and system functionality.
CAUTION: Make sure you have car audio installation experience and are equipped with the right tools if you attempt to do this by yourself.
Factory audio system overview
The Toyota Camry (2018-Present) has different variants of stock audio systems depending on its trim:
Toyota Camry L, LE, SE – Toyota’s Entune system, a 7-inch touchscreen LCD receiver, six speakers, Siri Eyes Free, Google voice commands, a USB connector, Bluetooth, Toyota’s Scout GPS software, and smartphone integration with iHeart Radio, Pandora, Stitcher, Facebook, and Yelp are all included in the base trim.
Toyota Camry XLE, XSE – These trims come with an enhanced infotainment system that includes an 8-inch touchscreen LCD receiver with added climate controls, a nine-speaker JBL sound system, HD Radio, and satellite radio among the basic infotainment features of the standard trims.
The 2018 to 2020 Camry trims’ LCD receivers lack proper Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Replacing these receivers with aftermarket ones should resolve this issue, but this isn’t recommended for 2021 and later Camrys.
As for the factory speakers present in all trims, you can upgrade everything else to get the sound you desire whether it’s the six or nine-speaker JBL system.
If your Camry is a Hybrid variant, always remember that hybrid cars contain some extremely sensitive electronics that may cause some serious damage to your car if you aren’t careful. Here are important things to consider:
- Don’t exceed a 30-amp current draw or 350-watt RMS power rating.
- Be sure to only use a multi-meter and not a test light when testing wires.
- Don’t hesitate to contact a car audio professional from Sonic Electronix to give you proper help and guidance in setting up your car audio system.
Retaining steering wheel audio controls
It’s relatively easy to retain your Camry’s steering wheel audio controls when you install a new stereo using universal steering wheel control adapters or interfaces such as the Axxess ASWC-1 or vehicle-specific adapters like the Crux SWRTY-61P to function with your new receiver.
Removing and upgrading the factory radio
Prepare your panel tool, 10mm socket, ratchet, and extension. To prevent any electrical short that may occur, set your car’s parking brake and disconnect the battery cable.
Seven retaining clips on the lower dash trim panel on the driver’s side must be released by using the panel tool to pull the panel toward the back of the car. Trim panel removal and wire harness disconnection. After releasing eleven clips and prying out the passenger’s side lower dash trim panel, you can next pry out the passenger’s side vent trim strip and release another eleven clips. Remove the strip and unplug the electrical harnesses.
Five clips must first be pried out of the climate control panel before the wiring harness can be disconnected and the control panel is taken off. After releasing five clips from the ignition switch panel, pull it toward the back of the car to separate the wiring harness from the switch panel. You can now take the radio off the wall. The factory radio is held in place by four 10mm screws. Remove them, then pry out nine retaining clips, remove the radio, unhook everything, and get the stock radio out of the way.
Knowing what type of aftermarket radio to pick really depends on what new hardware and software feature you need: it could still be a Single-DIN car stereo, Bluetooth car stereo, or a Double-DIN LCD Receiver that is capable of utilizing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for modernized ease of access. Buying a car stereo from us saves you on the installation accessories required for your installation. In many cases, you will get the gear you need for free. Depending on your 2018 Camry and the stereo you buy, you’ll see a calculated discount after you add your vehicle information and the stereo to your cart – you can always remove the stereo and decline the accessories, but we think you will love the offer!
After it has been installed, reconnect the battery, and all wiring harnesses, and test the radio to make sure it is operating properly. If so, you can begin assembling the dash again.
Upgrading the factory speakers
Here’s a full overview of all sizes and types that are found in the factory speaker system of the Toyota Camry (2018-Present).
| SPEAKER SIZE | TYPE | LOCATION |
| 3.5″ | Tweeter | Dash Corner |
| 6.5″ to 6.9″ | Full-Range | Front Door |
| 6.5″ | Full-Range | Rear Door |
To get the best and most accurate speaker choices for your Toyota Camry, make sure to input your vehicle in our Vehicle Fit Guide on our main Sonic Electronix website.
Dash corner speakers removal
In the base system, the door woofers and dash speakers are wired together at each tweeter location, so if the tweeters are changed, you’ll need to splice the input and output wires together to maintain the woofers functioning. It’s not too difficult to physically remove the speaker.
To release two clips, you must first pry up the corner dash grille. The two 10mm screws holding the speaker in place should then be removed after removing the grille. Remove, detach, and set aside the speaker. After completing the appropriate wire connections, secure the speaker using the screws you previously removed, test the speakers, then finish by restoring the grille.
Front pillar speakers (JBL) removal
The JBL system’s A-pillar speakers and door woofers are connected in tandem. In order to maintain the woofers’ functionality if you replace these speakers, you will need to splice the input and output cables together.
Prying off the pillar trim panel to loosen the holding clips is the first step in removing the factory speakers. To release the panel, turn the tether, then unplug the wiring harness. Pry out the three tabs holding the tweeter to the panel and remove them after lifting the pillar trim panel out of the way. Test the new tweeters when they have been installed, then reassemble the system.
Front door & rear door speakers removal
The Camry’s mounted factory speakers are 6.5″ in size, but you can fit speakers with sizes ranging from 6×9″, 6×8″ ovals, or 6″ to 7″ when installed using brackets.
To remove the front door speakers, you must first pull off the sail panel and then detach the two clamps at the top corner of the panel. Pry off the screw cover behind the door release by moving down a little and removing the exposed Phillips screw. To free the retaining clips, first, pry up the power options switch panel starting at the back edge. Remove the switch panel and disconnect the wiring harnesses. Once that panel is out of the way, lift up the armrest panel to free the eleven clips and remove the exposed Phillips screw. Remove the armrest panel and disconnect the tether before removing the exposed Phillips screw.
In order to disconnect and remove the courtesy light assembly, pry it out. To release 10 clips, first, pry away the bottom and sides of the door panel. The door lock and release assembly must first be disconnected, and the door panel must then be taken off. The speaker can be unplugged when the four 10mm screws holding it in place have been removed.
Connect the new speaker to the adapter bracket with the included wiring harness, then test the speakers to ensure they work. If they are, secure the speakers and begin reassembling the door. Check that the door locks and releases function properly and that the cables do not interfere with window functioning.
Removing & replacing the rear deck subwoofer
Among the nine speakers in the JBL system is a 9-inch rear deck subwoofer with a particular bolt pattern. With the aid of a mounting bracket, a variety of 8-inch aftermarket subwoofers will fit here, but you’ll need to make the mounting bracket yourself.
Additionally, there is an issue with the airbag warning harness back there. Before doing any work, you must unplug that. You must also make sure that any wiring harnesses related to the airbag are connected before reconnecting the battery and testing the speaker by turning on the ignition key. The airbag light will turn on if the harnesses are not linked correctly, and a dealership will need to reset it. Be sure to proceed with caution or contact us to connect with our team of experienced professional installers who can help you.
After successfully removing the factory subwoofer comes the exciting part: replacing it with a new one. As a family sedan, the Toyota Camry (2018-Present) has a good-sized trunk to accommodate a vehicle-specific sub enclosure such as the NVX boost boxes and a space for an amplifier to get the most bass power for your car audio system. We recommend the NVX PBK-TOYCAM-G8 complete bass and system upgrade package specifically made for this vehicle model and year. If your priority is to save space, you can choose a powered subwoofer instead.
Optional: Adding NVX Audio Sound Dampening
NVX Audio sound dampening material is the finest solution for deadening vibration and rattles in your vehicle. This premium material is thicker than competitors (such as Dynamat, Hushmat, Stinger Roadkill, etc). You will notice a calmer ride, better music, fewer vibrations, and fewer rattles in your Toyota Camry (2018-Present).
To install this, you will most likely have to remove the carpet, apply the sound dampening, and then re-apply the carpet on top of the sound dampening. The only difficult encounter would be removing any existing panels to expose the metal where the sound dampening would be applied. Another convenient option is to simply have your NVX Audio sound dampening material professionally installed by our team of car audio expert technicians at Sonic Electronix.
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