You can still get a V6 engine in Toyota's Camry, which is the only remaining midsize/family-priced sedan that still offers more than a four-cylinder.

Part of the reason why this is so is that fours now make as much power as V6s — but not without some help, in the form a turbocharger.

In theory, the payoff is higher gas mileage, without less power. But, in the case of the Camry versus its turbo four-powered competition, you don't get higher mileage or even the same power.

Those are pretty compelling reasons to be glad you can still get a V6 in this Toyota.

What It Is

The Camry is Toyota's midsize/family-priced sedan, similar to others in the class such as its main rival, the Honda Accord, as well as the Mazda6, Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5.

It differs from all of them in that none of them are even available with more than a four anymore.

The Camry also offers something else that's remarkably rare in this class: all-wheel drive — just not with the V6.

Prices start at $25,845 for the base LE trim, which comes standard with a 203-horsepower four-cylinder engine; AWD is available optionally. So equipped, the price rises to $27,245.

You can also option the XLE and XSE trims with a 301-horsepower V6, which bumps the price up to $35,070 and $35,620, respectively.

There is also a way to get the V6 for a bit less, with some other things to go along with it. The TRD trim, which stickers for $32,910, comes standard with the V6 and a more aggressive look.

What's New

This year is a carryover year for the Camry and possibly the last year for the current model before the next major makeover.

What's Good

Offers a V6; rivals don't.

Standard four makes more than 200 horsepower, without a turbo.

Minimally invasive "driver assistance technology."

What's Not So Good

TRD version doesn't get a more powerful version of the V6.

Rival Kia K5 is about $2,000 less to start ($23,790).

Rival Honda Accord has a roomier back seat.

Under The Hood

It's not just the availability of a V6 engine that makes the Camry unusual — unique — in its class. It is also that its standard four-cylinder engine isn't turbocharged, as the smaller fours that come standard in rivals like the Accord and Kia K5 are.

Which they need to be, in order to make up for the fact that they are tiny.

The Accord's standard four displaces just 1.5 liters; the Kia K5's just 1.6 liters. In contrast, the Camry's four displaces 2.5 liters. You get 203 horsepower — and 28 city, 39 highway — as opposed to 192 horsepower and 30 city, 38 highway from the Accord. The Kia's standard 1.6-liter four only manages 180 horsepower, 23 less than the Camry's four, and only gets you 29 miles down the road in city driving and 38 on the highway.

Then there's the Camry's available V6, 3.5 liters and 302 horsepower. This engine completely outclasses the Accord's optional (2.0-liter) four, which only makes 252 horsepower. The Kia K5's optional 2.5-liter four comes closer, offering 290 horsepower.

But in order for this small engine to post a big number, it also requires boost — and the pressure that comes along with it.

On The Road

Equipped with its available V6, the Camry is capable of getting to 60 mph in just over five seconds and through the quarter mile in the high 13s. These are quicker times than those posted by V8-powered muscle cars as recently as the early 2000s.

The four isn't far behind, either. It gets the Camry to 60 in about 6.6 seconds, which (again) would have been regarded as a very respectable time for a V8 muscle car, back in the days of the V8 muscle car.

The almost 40 mpg you get on the highway is easily twice what V8 powered muscle cars managed, too.

At The Curb

All Camrys come with ample room in front and back — an important consideration for a family car. There's 42 inches of legroom for the driver and front seat passenger and 38 inches for those in back.

The Accord has a little more room in back (40.4 inches), but it's not enough to make all that much difference. There is, however, a lot of difference versus the Kia K5, which has the most legroom up front of the bunch (an astounding 46.1 inches), but that comes at the cost of a significantly less roomy back seat (35.2 inches of legroom) than the Camry and Accord offer.

The Camry's 15.1-cubic foot trunk splits the difference between the Accord's class-biggest 16.7-cubic footer and the Kia's 16-cubic-footer.

The Rest

All Camry trims come with a package of "driver assistance technology," including Lane Keep Assist and Braking Assist — but the systems aren't as peremptory as is often the case in other cars. All trims also come standard with adaptive cruise control, which is a useful feature that's nice to have, especially since Toyota doesn't make you buy a more expensive trim in order to have it.

If, however, you'd like to have heated seats and wireless charging, you'll have to step up to the XLE or XSE trims.

The Bottom Line

V6-powered family cars like the Camry were once as prolific as dandelions after a summer downpour. Now the Camry's the only bloom left after the deluge.

View the Toyota Camry this week.

Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

View the Toyota Camry this week.