#2018 CAMRY DRIVING IMPRESSION DRIVER#
#2018 CAMRY DRIVING IMPRESSION PLUS#

The 301-hp 3.5-liter V-6 is also paired with the new 8-speed automatic. The base engine continues to be a 2.5-liter inline-4, now rated at 206 horsepower and mated to an 8-speed automatic. We found the base version not particularly powerful, and the specialty Hybrid and V-6 versions at either end of the performance range proved more enjoyable than the volume models.

The newest Camry clearly improves on the previous generation in those qualities, but it’s not particularly groundbreaking in any performance area save fuel economy. While we had hoped for more, we rate the Camry at 5 out of 10 for overall: its powertrains, handling and roadholding, and suspension are essentially average for the segment. Fewer automakers are considering a V-6 for similar-sized sedans. The 2018 Toyota Camry is now a minority in its segment, offering an optional V-6 engine in high-end models. Toyota has used a mix of soft-touch materials and colors to give even lower-end models a more premium impression. Inside, the lower front seats have been entirely redesigned and a larger touchscreen dominates the center of the dashboard. Frankly, we think that's all a little too much the standard models are cleaner. Sportier SE and XSE models not only lead with a different front end and grille, but also have a revised rear bumper, a small lip spoiler on the trunk lid, and sill extensions below the doors. The body sides and rear of the car carries far more sculpting and complex shapes. The 2018 Camry’s two-part grille has what Toyota terms 'flowing' lines, with a larger Toyota badge at the center, tinted blue on Hybrid models. Yet, Toyota has resisted the temptation to overdo it, as seen on the Mirai sedan and Prius hatchback, both vehicles whose lines can be reasonably viewed as bizarre. The result is crisp, racy, and stacks up well against the handsomest of the mid-size sedan class, the Ford Fusion-which can look just a little pudgy in comparison. Many of the exterior design elements were first seen in a 2014 restyling of the last Camry, but here they’re on a longer, lower, wider car. We rate the 2018 Camry at 7 out of 10 for styling, with an extra point each for its sleek exterior and more premium-feeling interior. The goal is to make one of Toyota's most mainstream vehicles more expressive, and to our eyes, it succeeds quite nicely. Front and rear occupants sit an inch or more lower, and the Camry is an inch lower and slightly longer and wider too. The 2018 Toyota Camry has sportier and arguably more upscale looks. are now built at Toyota's plant in Georgetown, Kentucky. It's a sea-change for the Camry that has languished from inoffensive styling for decades.Īll Camrys sold in the U.S.

#2018 CAMRY DRIVING IMPRESSION DRIVER#

The center stack features a prominent boomerang styling element that separates driver and passenger in separate spaces. Its interior is just as comfortable as previous-generation Camrys and it's newly styled. Improved ride quality is apparent, even in base trims, although the cabin in some versions is a little noisier than we like. A traditional V-6 is still available-many rivals have ditched a bigger engine in favor of turbocharged powertrains-and a hybrid powertrain that returns more than 50 mpg combined.Ī new 8-speed transmission fitted to the inline-4 and V-6 keeps the Camry creamy on the road. It's powered by a 2.5-liter inline-4 that makes 206 horsepower and manages 32 mpg in most trim levels. The new Camry improves on last year’s model in styling, safety, features, and fuel economy, but it’s only average in performance, despite a new chassis. Other competitors include the older Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Kia Optima, and Nissan Altima.

#2018 CAMRY DRIVING IMPRESSION PLUS#

It faces stiff competition this year from a new version of its longtime rival, the Honda Accord, plus a major revamp of the popular Hyundai Sonata. With buyers’ interests in sedans sagging in favor of all sizes of crossover SUVs, this latest Camry is critically important to keep Toyota's highest-volume passenger car at the top of a tough market. Overall, we rated the 2018 Toyota Camry at 7.2 points out of 10, bolstered by a perfect safety score and improved fuel economy. The Camry Hybrid has three versions: LE, SE, and XLE. Five trim levels are offered: a base L, a mid-grade LE, and a better-equipped XLE, plus the sporty SE and upscale XSE. In an effort to banish the Camry’s bland image, Toyota gave the latest generation a more expressive design, used a more sophisticated suspension to improve driving and handling, and delivered better fuel efficiency than any previous Camry lineup. The 2018 Toyota Camry is one of the most popular cars on the planet, and a bestselling sedan in the U.S.

2018 camry driving impression