This week they're holding dealer training for Southeast Florida for the new Camry. Yesterday they set aside a 4-6 PM slot for a number of local car journalists. I was fortunate enough to snag an invite.
Mind you, this was nothing like a long-lead or even a short-lead regional press preview. It was just a coned-off "road course" in a parking lot in the corner of the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center and a couple of brief presentations. All cars on hand were 4-cylinder (no V6s or hybrids, unfortunately) in LE and SE trim levels, plus a single static XLE to demonstrate the optional upgrade JBL audio. Oh, and there was also a 2017 Camry LE for comparison. Tucked away in a corner of the lot were a 2017 Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord and, perhaps, a Ford Fusion, for comparative use by the dealers (we weren't allowed to drive those). Something of a moot comparison, perhaps, given the 2018 Sonata's semi-extensive facelift and the all-new, next-gen Accord due to be unveiled a couple of days from now.
We first sat in an SE and given a brief explanation of the Scout GPS. The SE interior seating is mostly Softex (vinyl) with a smaller-than-expected cloth insert with white horizontal stripes. The dash design's curves and geometric shapes have an almost Lexus RX feel to them. Interior materials are notably improved from its predecessor's.
Then we sat in an LE. The dashboard's not-too-convincing faux woodgrain insert and full cloth seats have a more conservative, perhaps old-mannish demeanor to them, but that's why Camry has gone with the dual-tier L/LE/XLE and SE/XSE lineup. Different strokes for different folks and all that.
The third and final demonstration was of the optional JBL audio in the XSE. The XSE's seats, naturally, were full leather. My mind was blown by the JBL audio, particularly by the way it played the third demonstrated song, Pink Floyd's Money. I'd never heard the song's intro sound quite like that. I was even more surprised to see that Bass, Mid and Treble settings were all at exactly the "neutral" mid-point. I'd say this Toyota/JBL system has nothing on (or perhaps even slightly tops) the Lexus/Mark Levinson systems.
Now to get behind the wheel. I first drove the 2018 LE. Steering feel was firm, but numbish in typical electric power steering fashion. Body roll wasn't too bad, and the ride over a bit of rippled pavement was impressive. Unfortunately, the complaints of excessive gear hunting by the 8-speed automatic are true and justified. This is probably the major demerit against the new Camry.
Then I took the helm of the 2017 LE. I was annoyed by how high the seating position was in the old LE. It felt like I was in a crossover SUV in comparison to the new one. Worse, when I tried to lower the seat, I was dismayed to find that this was its lowest possible setting! Away I went. The old Camry's steering was a touch lighter but had no more feel than the new one. The older 6-speed automatic did NOT hunt or constantly shift the way the new one does. There was a hair more body roll but the differences weren't huge.
Finally, I drove the SE. The larger sway bars (25.4mm front and rear) and sport-tuned springs and shocks made a modest but noticeable improvement to the handling on the "cone course' while maintaining a supple ride through the rippled pavement. This was my favorite of the trio but, again, excessive gear hunting is noticeable. Perhaps I should've tried moving the shifter to the "S" gate and changed gears manually...
