Unpopular opinion- the XV10 and XV20 generations of the Camry were pretty good cars for their time. I bet some of you think I'm crazy for saying that the most infamous vehicle of GTP isn't bad, which is why I will go into in-depth explanation.
The XV10 generation, which hit the market in 1992 for the US, was an arguably better buy than the Accord, substantially better than the Taurus, yet light years ahead of anything GM cranked out in the mid-size segment. Styling was much more aerodynamic than it's predecessor, and it was a much longer wider car as well. Even though it was not aimed towards the luxury market (that was the ES), the exterior looked more "premium" than other midsize sedans. Material quality was above average, as was reliability. Powertrain wise, the meme-tastic 2.2 was standard, and V6s were optional. The V6 made just shy of 200 horsepower, which was respectable for its time. Sales wise, it had proven to be a success, mainly due to its handsome styling and good value.
Five years after the XV10's debut came the XV20. By 1997, GM still hadn't found its direction for midsize sedans, the Ford Taurus became funky looking, yet the Accord had became more competitive, reflecting off of the XV10's success. XV20 had become a much more conservatively designed car; curvy, aerodynamic looks were replaced by plainer styling, and wagons as well as coupes, were dropped. It was like a Japanese version of a Buick Century, in a way. Styling was still better than other midsize offerings, though, but basically, Toyota had transformed the Camry into a less exciting, and more budget-friendly car. However, this was not a "cheap" car; though inexpensive, the material quality remained above par. Buyers who wanted a car similar to the XV10, a more premium car, would opt for the Collector's Edition (pictured below), which had a slightly restyled exterior, and more options. It was basically a livelier version of the Lexus ES. Despite the XV20 being blander than it's predecessor, sales were much higher than they were before, at an average of 350,000 per year; high enough to pass the Ford Taurus.
The reality is, the XV10 and XV20 Camrys were unexciting cars that didn't show even the slightest pretense of performance. However, they definitely stood out amongst other midsize sedans, with exceptional reliability, good build quality, innovation, and competitive pricing.