Toyota kicked off the eighth generation Camry with a major redesign and high-tech upgrades. We look at what they did right, what failed and what makes the Camry the right buy.
The good stuff: Toyota has completely redesigned the 2018 Camry, adding a bold design and a new platform. It looks great with a fresh, sporty styling and delivers more appealing performance. Drivers continue to benefit from the Camry's fuel economy, reliability and reasonable pricing. In addition, the Camry's excellent safety rating is further enhanced by the addition of a suite of features and technologies to help the driver. Slightly larger than the previous model, it has a spacious cabin with plenty of legroom. Available in a wide range of options, it includes five different packages as well as hybrid options.
The bad: the connectivity options offered with the Toyota Entune are disappointing and don't include Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The model is also only offered with front-wheel drive.
Bottom line: while the Toyota Camry has never been considered a particularly provocative car, the 2018 model marks a bold departure. It's just the right amount of change, effectively leveraging Toyota's new New Global Architecture platform to improve performance and ride quality. This next-generation Camry retains and improves on its already appealing strengths. Safety is particularly high and the three powertrains available are powerful yet efficient. As one of the best-selling midsize sedans in its class, it also offers a great return on investment. But the 2018 Camry stands out because it allows you to enjoy its impressive dynamic performance and elegant aesthetics.
Toyota Camry 2018 Super Review
2018 Toyota Camry XLE.
Introduced in Japan in 1982, the Camry was Toyota's first production car with a transverse engine layout. Now sold in more than 100 countries, the Camry has helped establish the midsize sedan segment and is actually the segment leader in many global markets.
The Toyota Camry's combination of affordability, quality and engineering was a revolutionary concept that allowed the car to differentiate itself from other, especially larger American sedans that were popular at the time.
In the years that followed, the Camry became a success wherever it was sold. It remains a key model in today's Toyota range and is produced in several plants around the world, with total sales exceeding 18 million units.
Here we take a detailed look at everything you need to know about the 2018 Camry, which enjoys Toyota's reputation for capability and reliability, making it a reliable second-hand option despite a few recalls.
What's new about the 2018 Toyota Camry ?
The 2018 Toyota Camry XSE
One of the reasons the Toyota Camry was (and still is) so popular is its versatility. From its first model to the current generation, the Camry has been designed with the needs of a huge number of drivers in mind. So it's no surprise that it's been one of the best-selling sedans for more than four decades and eight generations.
1983-1986: First generation
1987-1991: Second generation
1992-1996: Third generation
1997-2001: Fourth generation
2002-2006: Fifth Generation
2007-2011: Sixth Generation
2012-2017: Seventh generation
2018-present: Eighth generation
Not only has the Camry undergone a big change for 2018, but Toyota has also changed the rules of the game. The automaker may have implemented some of its most innovative technology to date with the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform.
As a result, one of the most noticeable changes to the Camry is its appearance. With sleek lines, a sporty and dynamic exterior, the 2018 Camry was sharper and - yes - cooler .
The evolution of the 2018 Camry can be attributed to the TNGA platform, which widened the wheelbase and gave the car a wider stance to accommodate the new engine and transmission. The TNGA platform is geared towards transmissions with a lower centre of gravity and has also been used in the Toyota Corolla , Avalon and Lexus ES .
Offered with front-wheel drive, the 2018 Camry is paired with a transverse engine layout. The design is intended to make the 2018 Camry lower and wider.
By lowering the passenger seating level (0.8 inches at the front and 1.2 inches at the rear), the overall height of the car is reduced by about one inch. This makes the roof line lower without losing interior space.
Also new is the Camry's cladding, which is now accentuated by a two-piece grille. The aluminium bonnet is particularly sleek, positioned gracefully above the grille. And combined with a wider, stiffer stance, the sharp look was all-new for the Camry.
To match its new look, the Camry was given more power and optimised drive quality. Ride stability has been improved through the use of a lightweight and rigid body/platform design.
2018 Toyota Camry.
To achieve a lightweight body, the bonnet is made of aluminium, while thinner body panels have been used for the roof, bonnet, boot lid, front wings, and front and rear doors.
With a lower centre of gravity, a new rigid body frame and a tuned front suspension, the 2018 model has been designed to offer better handling and smoother stability.
Inside, the cabin is spacious and comfortable. It has a comfortable dashboard, a navigation display, a colour projection display and a multi-information display. The central cluster panel controls the navigation and heater settings. There's a really nice design, a clean, one-piece look that's easy to access.
Toyota Camry 2018 interior trim levels
Toyota Camry LE 2018
The 2018 Camry debuted in five trims: L, LE, SE, XLE and XSE.
Hybrid variants were available in LE, SE and XLE versions. The SE and XSE models have sculpted rockers, 19-inch black alloy wheels, rear spoiler bulges, swollen front bumpers and rear bumpers with a lower diffuser.
The 2018 Camry - from the entry-level L to the top-of-the-range XLE - is well equipped with distinctive features for each trim.
2018 Toyota Camry L
2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203bhp.
Eight-speed automatic gearbox
16-inch wheels
Manually controlled air conditioning
Backup camera with fixed reserve lines
Bluetooth connectivity
Seat fabric
Driver's seat with six-way manual adjustment; front passenger's seat with six-way manual adjustment
Adaptive Cruise Control
USB port
Tilt / telescoping steering wheel
Seven-inch touchscreen with Siri Eyes Free, Google Voice Control, iPod connectivity and compatibility with Scout GPS smartphone app for port-to-touch navigation
Check out the 2018 Toyota Camry car showroom
