Official 8th Generation (2018+) 010B Camry Discussion

[Gecko]

Mixed emotions, but that is mostly in relation to the design of the front end. Overall, it's nice to see Toyota playing to win with the Camry because I quite frankly feel like they've been resting on their laurels for the last few generations.

I assume we are getting the same 295-300hp V6 from Highlander/Sienna, with 8AT and stop/start. Brand new Dynamic Force 4 cylinder for both gas and "next-gem" hybrid versions. 8AT on the 4 cylinder.

Interior is very simple but really nice. The dash is somewhat dramatic and unconventional... impressive. The details and overall design are tidy, clean and handsome... almost VW-esque, but reminds me of the simplicity Toyota loved in the early 90s.

~300hp, 8AT, Pano roof, red leather interior, 19" wheels, 10" HUD + 7" information display + 8" multimedia screen, next gen JBL audio... all of this on a CAMRY.

Front end of the XSE and SE is just ugly, IMO. Looks sort of like the old color-coordinated Sportivo kits that Australia used to have, or some of the bizarre Holden sports packages from the 90s. It just... it's ugly. It's too much. It's trying too hard.

Front end on the XLE/LE is simply too big and overstyled. Too much grille. The somewhat lithe, clean, streamlined body looks sort of disproportionate compared to the overstyled, dramatic front end.

 

[Gecko]

Realistically, the press conference emphasized how "American" the Camry is in every way possible, something crucial in this era of protectionist Trumponomics, and if, for whatever reason, Akio could only do one of the 2 press conferences, he chose the right one, again given the politics.

Great point. Akio's intro was a clear shot at Trump.

 

[CIF]

Now with this reveal out of the way, there is much anticipation as to when Toyota will unveil the next-gen Sienna, Sequoia, and Tundra. New generations of the Sienna and Sequoia in particular are long overdue (and a new generation of the Tundra to a lesser extent, since the Tundra did get a big refresh a few years ago). Those 3 are some of the largest vehicles in Toyota's lineup, and they are all quite dated to different degrees. Given the current CUV/SUV craze, Toyota needs new generations of these vehicles more than anything right now.

 

[mikeavelli]

Great point. Akio's intro was a clear shot at Trump.

Now with this reveal out of the way, there is much anticipation as to when Toyota will unveil the next-gen Sienna, Sequoia, and Tundra. New generations of the Sienna and Sequoia in particular are long overdue (and a new generation of the Tundra to a lesser extent, since the Tundra did get a big refresh a few years ago). Those 3 are some of the largest vehicles in Toyota's lineup, and they are all quite dated to different degrees. Given the current CUV/SUV craze, Toyota needs new generations of these vehicles more than anything right now.

For me its the Supra. If the Camry XSE is this damn good, the Supra should be nuts!

 

[Tragic Bronson]

Great point. Akio's intro was a clear shot at Trump.

And I'll bet, many of the rank and file working on TMMK's assembly line probably did vote for him (He won Kentucky's electorate)...don't bite the hand that feeds ya.

 

[Gecko]

This thing is sharp...

And I'll bet, many of the rank and file working on TMMK's assembly line probably did vote for him (He won Kentucky's electorate)...don't bite the hand that feeds ya.

I think this will be a recurring theme in Trump's presidency.

 

[mmcartalk]

And I'll bet, many of the rank and file working on TMMK's assembly line probably did vote for him (He won Kentucky's electorate)...don't bite the hand that feeds ya.

Is it surprising, though that the auto workers in that state (and a number of other industrial sates) voted for him? Not IMO......he is obviously quite serious about keeping both UAW and non-union auto jobs here in the U.S., and proved it with Ford and GM.

 

[Joaquin Ruhi]

Is it surprising, though that the auto workers in that state (and a number of other industrial sates) voted for him? Not IMO......he is obviously quite serious about keeping both UAW and non-union auto jobs here in the U.S., and proved it with Ford and GM.

Not to mention Trump's Twitter rant against Mexican Corolla production...

 

[mikeavelli]

Is it surprising, though that the auto workers in that state (and a number of other industrial sates) voted for him? Not IMO......he is obviously quite serious about keeping both UAW and non-union auto jobs here in the U.S., and proved it with Ford and GM.

As for your statement, only 1-4 (28%) of the UAW voted for Trump per multiple sources.

Lets all try to keep Trump out of it going forward.

 

[Gecko]

I know that we had another thread open for 2018 Camry discussion, but that was largely speculation and spy shots. The 2018 Camry is being reviewed now with an embargo that lifts on 6/21 at 7AM ET.

A few pieces of information have become available before the embargo, and powertrain data is one such detail:

Engines:

2.5L 4 Cylinder: L, LE, SE, XLE
203hp @ 6,600 RPM
184lb-ft @5,000 RPM
L: 29/41/34 MPG
LE, SE, XLE: 28/39/32 MPG

2.5L 4 Cylinder: XSE (due to quad exhaust)
206hp @ 6,600 RPM
186lb-ft @ 5,000 RPM
28/39/32 MPG

3.5L V6: XSE, XLE
301hp @ 6,600 RPM
267lb-ft @ 4,700 RPM
XLE: 22/33/26
XSE: 22/32/26

2.5L Hybrid:
208hp @ RPM
163lb-ft @ RPM
L: 51/53/52 MPG
LE, SE, XLE:


Weights:
L: 3,241
LE: 3,296
SE: 3,340
XSE 4 cyl: 3,395
XLE 4 cyl: 3,351
XSE V6: 3,571
XLE V6: 3,549

Standard Exterior Features:

L:

• Bi-LED combination headlights with auto on/off feature
  
  
•  LED daytime running lights (DRL) with on/off feature
  
  
•  LED combination taillights
  
  
•  Black front grille
  
  
•  Color-keyed outside mirrors
  
  
•  Color-keyed outside door handles
  
  
•  16-inch steel wheels and P205/65/R16 tires
  
  
•  Washer-linked intermittent windshield wipers
  
  
•  High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass
  
  
•  Acoustic noise-reducing front windshield
  
  
•  Single exhaust
  
  
•  In-glass AM/FM antenna
  

LE (In addition to or in place of standard L features  17-inch alloy wheels and P215/55/R17 tires

SE (In addition to or in place of standard LE features)

•  Black front grille with sport mesh insert
  
  
•  Color-keyed sport side rocker panels
  
  
•  18-inch black machined-finish alloy wheels and P235/45R18 tires
  
  
•  Color-keyed rear spoiler
  
  
•  Single exhaust with dual chrome tips

XSE (in addition to or in place of standard L, LE, and SE features)

•  LED headlights with smoke tint and fully integrated LED DRLs with auto on/off feature
  
  
•  LED taillights with smoke tint
  
  
•  Gloss black front grille with sport mesh insert
  
  
•  Color-keyed heated outside mirrors with turn signal and blind spot warning indicator
  
  
•  Color-keyed outside door handles with touch sensor lock/unlock feature
  
  
•  19-inch black machined-finish alloy wheels and P235/40R19 tires
  
  
•  Dual exhaust with quad chrome tips
  
  
•  Panoramic glass roof with power tilt/slide moonroof (V6 only)

XLE (In addition to or in place of standard L, LE, SE and XSE features)

•  LED headlights with fully integrated LED DRLs with auto on/off feature
  
  
•  LED taillights
  
  
•  Bright metallic front grille
  

 18-inch chrome machined-finish alloy wheels and P235/45R18 tires


Standard Interior Features:

L:

• Front air conditioning with filter
  
  
•  Integrated backup camera with projected path
  
  
•  4.2-in. TFT Multi-Information Display with odometer, outside temperature, fuel economy and trip information, current/average fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, trip distance with timer, and warning messages
  
  
•  Fabric-trimmed front seats with passenger side seatback pocket; 6-way adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support; 6-way adjustable front passenger seat
  
  
•  High-speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
  
  
•  Tilt/telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel with audio, Mulit-Information Display and Bluetooth® hands-free phone, voice-command, High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Conventional Cruise Control and Lane Departure Alert (LDA) controls.
  
  
•  Soft material upper door trim
  
  
•  Layered wood interior trim
  
  
•  Interior chrome door handles
  
  
•  Multi-function in-key remote keyless entry system with lock, two-stage unlock, panic, trunk-release functions and remote illuminated entry
  
  
•  Power windows with 4-window auto up/down, jam protection and retained-power features
  
  
•  Rear window defogger with timer
  
  
•  Power door locks with shift-linked automatic locking feature with anti-lockout feature
  
  
•  Day/night rearview mirror
  
  
•  Overhead console with sunglasses storage
  
  
•  Covered center console, armrest and storage
  
  
•  LED illuminated glove compartment
  
  
•  One 12V auxiliary power outlet
  
  
•  One USB Port (1.5V)
  
  
•  Dual sun visors with sliding extensions
  
  
•  Two front and two rear cup holders; two front door and two rear bottle holders

•  Foot pedal parking brake

LE:
(In addition to or in place of standard L features)

•  Fabric-trimmed front seats with seatback pockets; 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support; 6-way adjustable front passenger seat
  
  
•  60/40 split fold-down rear seat with center armrest with cup holders
  
  
•  Overhead console with maplights and sunglasses storage
  
  
•  Anti-theft Alarm System
  
  
•  Coin Pocket
  

SE:
(In addition to or in place of standard L and LE features)

•  Single-zone automatic climate control with air filter
  
  
•  4.2-in. TFT Multi-Information Display with odometer, outside temperature, fuel economy and trip information, current/average fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, trip distance with timer, TPMS and warning messages
  
  
•  Sport SofTex®-trimmed front seats with fabric inserts, seatback pockets; 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support; 6-way adjustable front passenger seat
  
  
• Leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic 3-spoke sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, audio, Multi-Information Display, Bluetooth® hands-free phone, voice-command,High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Conventional Cruise Control and Lane Departure Alert (LDA) controls.
  
  
• Embossed mesh interior trim

XSE:
(In addition to or in place of standard L, LE, and SE features)

•  Dual-zone automatic climate control with air filter and rear-seat vents
  
  
•  Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging (V6 model only)
  
  
•  Integrated Backup camera with dynamic gridlines
  
  
•  7-in. TFT Multi-Information Display with customizable settings, odometer outside temperature, fuel economy and trip information, current/average fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, hybrid system information, energy monitor, TPMS, scheduled maintenance, compass and warning messages.
  
  
•  Leather-trimmed multi-stage heated front seats with seatback pockets; 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support; 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat with lumbar support
  
  
•  Rear adjustable headrests
  
  
•  Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
  
  
•  Leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic 3-spoke sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, audio, Multi-Information Display, Bluetooth® hands-free phone, voice-command, Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Conventional Cruise Control and Lane Departure Alert (LDA) controls.
  
  
•  Three-mode Switch (Eco, Normal, Sport)
  
  
•  10-in Color Head-Up Display (HUD) with customizable settings, speedometer, navigation, shift position, compass, TSS-P indicators, audio, phone, and outside temperature and adjustable brightness (V6 models only)
  
  
•  Smart Key System on front doors and trunk with Push Button Start, remote keyless entry system and remote illuminated entry
  
  
•  Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass
  
  
•  Overhead console with maplights, sunglasses storage, and HomeLink® universal transceiver (4-cylinder
  
  models only)
  
  
•  Overhead console with maplights, and HomeLink® universal transceiver and safety connect button (V6 models only)
  
  
•  Three USB Ports (1.5V and 2.1V)
  
  
•  Dual sun visors with sliding extensions and illuminated vanity mirrors (V6 models only)
  
  
•  Electric Parking Brake with brake hold function

XLE:
(In addition to or in place of standard L, LE, and SE features)

•  Dual-zone automatic climate control with air filter and rear-seat vents
  
  
•  Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging (V6 model only)
  
  
•  Integrated Backup camera with dynamic gridlines
  
  
•  7-in. TFT Multi-Information Display with customizable settings, odometer outside temperature, fuel economy and trip information, current/average fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, hybrid system information, energy monitor, TPMS, scheduled maintenance, compass and warning messages.
  
  
•  Leather-trimmed multi-stage heated front seats with seatback pockets; 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support; 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat with lumbar support
  
  
•  Rear adjustable headrests
  
  
•  Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
  
  
•  Leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic 3-spoke sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, audio, Multi-Information Display, Bluetooth® hands-free phone, voice-command, Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Conventional Cruise Control and Lane Departure Alert (LDA) controls.
  
  
•  Three-mode Switch (Eco, Normal, Sport)
  
  
•  10-in Color Head-Up Display (HUD) with customizable settings, speedometer, navigation, shift position, compass, TSS-P indicators, audio, phone, and outside temperature and adjustable brightness (V6 models only)
  
  
•  Smart Key System on front doors and trunk with Push Button Start, remote keyless entry system and remote illuminated entry
  
  
•  Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass
  
  
•  Overhead console with maplights, sunglasses storage, and HomeLink® universal transceiver (4-cylinder
  
  models only)
  
  
•  Overhead console with maplights, and HomeLink® universal transceiver and safety connect button (V6 models only)
  
  
•  Three USB Ports (1.5V and 2.1V)
  
  
•  Dual sun visors with sliding extensions and illuminated vanity mirrors (V6 models only)
  
  
•  Electric Parking Brake with brake hold function

 

[Gecko]

A few "real life" pics of the car. These are from user Dee Hayes on Toyotanation:

 

[Carmaker1]

Wow, did you catch how different it looks in comparison to the XV50 (5th-gen) close-by? If not for the headlight design, you wouldn't think this was a Camry successor. That blue is my favourite. Despite seeing this 2-3 times this year, I never got a full sense of how it looks outdoors.

Production starts this month, so wondering if these are Job #1? Likely that they are late pilot builds from TMMK. I haven't heard much about the aluminium hood, that was first mentioned in 2014 after 010B styling approval, making me wonder if it was scrapped in the end.

 

[Gecko]

For whatever it might be worth, it was confirmed today that Honda will not be building a V6 Accord for the next generation car, but will rather be using a 2.0L turbo 4 as the top engine option.

As it always goes with the move from V6 to turbo 4cyl, mixed reviews and driving impression here: http://www.autoblog.com/2017/06/09/...totype-first-drive-review/?hcid=hp-tile-large

Major kudos to Toyota for sticking it out with the V6, and not just that, but engineering a great one at that. I have a feeling that 300hp V6 + new TNGA platform is going to be a blast.

 

[Tragic Bronson]

a quick walk around of a Camry belonging to TMS Chicago Region

 

[CIF]

Kudos to Toyota indeed from resisting the bandwagon trend and not going with a turbo 4. Keeping the V6 on the Camry is highly appreciated. I personally know people who only buy V6 Camrys and they will love this news. This is a great amount of power for the Camry. Now if only Toyota's crossovers, vans and SUVs had more power...

Also this makes the new Camry V6 the real-world performance choice over the coming Accord. Real world performance as in the linear power of that Toyota V6, without the complicated lag that the new Accord turbo 4 seems to have.

 

[Carmaker1]

Shockingly enough and just as I suspected, the new model code jumps from XV50 to XV70. Never since the 1992 Camry, has there been such a jump in model code. In that case it went from V20 to XV10, in being a wider version of the V30. I wasn't kidding when I mentioned in 2016, this car was meant to be like 1992 all over again as I described the amount of things it would have, in which next to no one had publicised.

The LC coupe, has introduced 3-digit model codes to Lexus cars, in being named Z100 as the URZ100 (LC500) and GWZ100 (LC500h). Despite calling the 5LS, "XF50" for 4-5 years, I have held off on that for 6-7 months, due to the revolutionary nature of the redesign.

 

[mikeavelli]

I just love it..... What a huge step in the right direction.

 

[spwolf]

Wow, did you catch how different it looks in comparison to the XV50 (5th-gen) close-by? If not for the headlight design, you wouldn't think this was a Camry successor. That blue is my favourite. Despite seeing this 2-3 times this year, I never got a full sense of how it looks outdoors.

Production starts this month, so wondering if these are Job #1? Likely that they are late pilot builds from TMMK. I haven't heard much about the aluminium hood, that was first mentioned in 2014 after 010B styling approval, making me wonder if it was scrapped in the end.

IMHO, biggest change is in interior... looks like premium vehicle inside, unlike previous ones.

 

[Gecko]

Embargo broke.

Motor Trend:

2018 TOYOTA CAMRY FIRST DRIVE REVIEW: BOLDLY GOING…
...where few mid-sedans dare: down (in seating position) and out (there in styling)

You have to applaud Toyota’s derring-do. The company CEO, whose name just happens to be on the headquarters building, has ordered his lieutenants to shake up the franchise midsize sedan. Leaden with a (deserved) sand-beige image, the Camry needed some invigoration and sex appeal, especially as more families were seen migrating from sedans to SUVs.

For 15 years, Toyota engineers have taken incremental, calculated risks while maintaining the core values that have kept the Camry atop the sales heap. Why change when the best-selling flavor of ice cream is vanilla, executives would parrot.

But for 2018, those risk-averse days are gone. Example one is the Camry’s daring new sheetmetal. Well, Toyota thinks it’s daring; buyers will judge for themselves how much you can spice up a family sedan. Toyota also is hanging on to an optional V-6 while most competitors commit to inline-fours. On top of that, Toyota lowered the Camry roof and seats by an inch, impairing a driver’s view over or through traffic and making it harder for gran and gramps to fall into and climb out of their new ride.

Who are these guys, and what other crazy risks have they taken? Have they forgotten the core competencies that everyone has affixed to the Camry nameplate? Curl up with a bowl of raspberry fudge gelato, friend, and you’ll find out.

Moving to the longer-wheelbase TNGA architecture somehow made the Camry fractionally smaller inside. Rear legroom and shoulder room both lose 0.9 inch, and front headroom drops about a half-inch. It still feels big, open, and airy with excellent outward visibility, thanks to the lowered beltline. Gas-engine Camrys lose a negligible 0.3 cubic foot of trunk space, but the Hybrids gain 2.0 cubes and a 60/40 split-folding seat, thanks to banishing the battery to below the rear seat.

The primary and secondary controls are blessedly simple, with knobs and buttons placed right where you expect them (a task frustratingly missing from many automakers’ to-do lists). For you audiophiles, a fancy 800-watt nine-speaker JBL sound system boasts special circuitry that somehow divines which bits and bytes got cut while Pandora, Spotify, or XM/Sirius were compressing your jams, filling them back in to provide closer to CD-quality streamed music. Special A-pillar-mounted “horn tweeters” help to brighten and distinguish the lyrics and cymbals from the thumping bass emanating from the 10.1-inch subwoofer in the rear package shelf.

One user-interfacepalm: No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto availability. Toyota is feuding with both software companies for refusing to fully disclose the workings and security protocols of their back-end programming—so it developed its own app, called Scout GPS. It works in conjunction with Toyota’s Entune app to bring phone-based navigation along with the typical music streaming, news, stock, sports, and other apps to lower-level infotainment systems. (Top trims get embedded navigation.) The shortcomings: Your phone must be tethered via both Bluetooth and the cord and needs the Scout app live on the screen; there’s no easy way to push an address from your phone to Scout. It’s also a subscription service (free for three years then $25 per year).

Powertrain

Here’s what most Camry buyers need to know about the engines: The all-new “Dynamic Force” 2.5-liter makes 25 more horses and 14 more lb-ft of torque than the old one while boosting EPA econ by 4/6 mpg city/highway. (Four-cylinder XSEs get an extra 3 hp and 2 lb-ft on top of these increases, and the lightly contented base L model gets an additional 1/2 mpg city/highway.)

The redesigned 3.5-liter V-6 adds 33 horses and 19 lb-ft while boosting mpg by 1 city, and 2 or 3 on the highway. The Camry Hybrid’s full-Atkinson-cycle riff on the new 2.5-liter contributes 20 more horsepower and 7 more lb-ft than the old 2.5, offsetting a drop in electric motor output of 23 hp and 50 lb-ft. Through the miracle of inscrutable hybrid math, total system output somehow still rises 8 hp to 208, and EPA economy leaps from 40–42/37–38 city/highway to 44–51/47–53 city/highway (with the LE earning the higher numbers, thanks to a battery chemistry upgrade to lithium-ion). Oh, and a new four-point mounting system better isolates engine vibrations.

Detail freaks might be interested to know that these improvements are attributable to D-4 (direct and port) injection, a healthy boost in compression ratio from 10.4:1 to 13.0:1 for the 2.5, 10.8:1 to 11.8:1 for the V-6, and 12.5:1 to 14.0:1 for the hybrid 2.5. (Note that late closing of the intake valves means no air/fuel mixture is ever fully compressed by a factor of 14, but the combustion products always expand that much.) Other power/efficiency boosters include variable control of the oil and coolant systems and wide-range electric actuation of the intake-valve variable timing on the 2.5-liter gas and hybrid engines. The V-6 gets wider-range hydraulic control of its intake cams to permit occasional Atkinson-cycle operation.

Upgrading from six to eight transmission ratios means first gear now provides the engine about 18 percent better leverage for lustier launches, and the top gear ratio down-speeds the engine by 17 or 24 percent (I-4 or V-6), earning crucial EPA highway points. Another fuel-sipping feature is complete torque-converter lockup in all but first gear. Paddle shifters come on SE, XSE, XSE V6 and SE Hybrid models, with the latter’s coaxing six “gear” ratios from the Hybrid’s CVT. When in Sport mode, the SE Hybrid provides extra electric assist, hastening acceleration relative to the LE Hybrid. Each engine sounds great when working hard, and all variants should zoom to 60 mph at least a few tenths quicker than their predecessors.

Our biggest powertrain complaint is with the eight-speed’s calibration. It’s plenty smooth when driven gently, but there’s a “Sport” button on XLE, XSE, and V6 models, and there’s an S shifter gate next to the D position on the shifters. These features should sense aggressive driving and hold lower gears through high-g corners and downshift while braking for a curve, but they don’t. Another tranny gripe: Mash the gas to pass on a two-lane road with either engine, and there’s a split-second of contemplation then a swap to an intermediate gear and finally a tardy arrival in the optimal gear. Those Hybrid SE “gears” are strange, too. During wide-open throttle runs, hitting the (+) paddle has little noticeable effect. Pulling the (-) paddle for a “downshift” convincingly increases engine noise but without much deceleration or regen braking.

Ride & Handling

Camrys have been known for comfortable rides, but nimble handling typically has been way down the engineers’ kaizen wish list. Yet it’s the eighth-gen Camry’s biggest improvement. This might be the best-riding and -handling Camry to date, thanks to its lower body, 1.9-inch wheelbase stretch, almost inch-broader rear track, and new control-arm and toe-link rear suspension. (Those who cut and paste the press kit will call them “double wishbones,” but technically they are not.)

Cornering is flat and unflappable with good neutral balance in all variants. Mild efforts at hooning the rear loose with late braking and steering wheel flicks are stonewalled, and careful steering into turns evinces no plowing understeer. I occasionally had to remind myself that I was, indeed, driving a Toyota product.

The electric steering assist expunges any record of road grip levels (as on nearly every other midsize sedan), but effort levels are appropriate, and the ratio feels natural, never quickening or slowing unexpectedly as the wheel is turned. Even the LE Hybrid’s tall-wall 205/65R16 Firestone FT140s hang on tight in the fastest curves, issuing only the faintest hint of squeal right at the limits of adhesion. Those tires are the comfiest-riding, but even the XSE V6’s 235/40R19 Michelin Primacy MXM4s manage a reasonable level of suppleness on all but the sharpest road edges. Per usual, the Camry has endless sheets of sound-deadening material to permit easy conversation at highway speeds—until those rare moments in a Camry when wide-open throttle is called for. Then the non-Hybrids wail with an aggressiveness apropos of the hot new styling

Safety & Value

Toyota expects to ace all crash tests and safety ratings with 10 airbags and the Safety Sense P system standard on all models. The latter brings precollision braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure assist, hill-start assist, auto high-beams, and dynamic radar cruise control to every Camry. Trim levels beginning with an X get sonar parking assist, rear cross-traffic braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto-hold brakes, and an electric parking brake. Drive Start Control prevents the car from jumping forward or backward if the shifter is moved while the accelerator is accidentally depressed.

As for value, Toyota is charging for the improvements made to the Camry. A new rental-grade stripper L model starts $425 above the 2017 LE, at $24,380. The rest increase by anywhere from $930 (LE, which now gets standard 17-inch aluminum wheels) to $3,580 for the XSE V-6. The best deal is probably the LE Hybrid, where the $1,010 increase over 2017 buys that lithium-ion battery, bigger trunk, and 12-mpg EPA-combined rating bump.

Based on one day spent driving five Camrys 25–30 miles each, we’re warning Honda to bring its A+ game with the 10th-gen Accord—which also hits dealerships this fall. With this brazen, bold effort, Toyota is seriously fortifying its position as king of the midsized sedan.

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/toyota/camry/2018/2018-toyota-camry-first-drive-review/

 

[Gecko]

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