2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review
The all-new 2018 Camry is finally here promising a new emotionally-charged design and performance experience. Three new powertrains are available including a next-generation Toyota Hybrid System. The company says it has been engineered to provide the same spirited performance and driving enjoyment as the conventional gasoline powertrain, including new Sequential Shiftmatic technology that allows the driver to “shift” the continuously-variable transmission mimicking a six-speed automatic. A new SPORT mode drive setting has been added, allowing for an increase in power from the hybrid system. Yet, depending on the trim level, the new Hybrid nets up to 53mpg highway, achieving balance between sportiness and efficiency. The new hybrid equation includes a 176 horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine working in concert with a 88kW electric motor combined with a 2nd motor for the purpose of battery charging. The brains of the system known as the Power Control Unit or PCU have been updated to reduce weight, run quieter and improve efficiencies. Total system net horsepower is 208. When selecting the base LE Hybrid, owners benefit from a modern lithium-ion battery pack delivering the best mileage; 52 mpg in combined driving. But if you prefer a heightened level of sportiness or luxury, SE and XLE grades use the tried and true nickel-metal hydride battery pack, returning 46mpg. Driving characteristics and trunk room are improved through new packaging allowing for the hybrid system’s battery pack to be moved from the trunk area to beneath the rear seat, positioning the battery weight at a lower center of gravity. The Camry Hybrid also features new Auto Glide Control, which helps to improve fuel efficiency by calculating an efficient coasting logic when the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal. Pricing starts at $28,685.
2018 Toyota Camry XSE Review
It’s the best-selling car in America for the last 15 years, dependable, pragmatic and, let’s face it; a little boring. But Toyota is changing that narrative with this all-new 2018 Camry, now available in a sport flavor that’s more than just skin deep.
Toyota knows full well that America’s love affair with the midsize sedan is currently undergoing marriage counseling. Their own customers have spoken loud and clear; they’d rather buy a RAV4, so this brand new Camry is Toyota’s go big or go home moment for its favored four-door. Unemotional styling has no place anymore. Lackluster driving dynamics are passé. This Camry takes a giant leap into the future. It’s sharp, refined, and dialed-in. And while almost everyone in this class has replaced their V6 in favor of a turbo-4, Toyota still offers their 3.5-liter motor here. As a matter of fact, there isn’t a turbo to found in any Camry. My car has the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine; in itself a marvel of modern engineering, equipped with every trick Toyota knows to blend power, smoothness and efficiency. It generates 206 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque while returning 32mpg in combined driving without the need for an automatic stop/start system…all very impressive. And those results are with this range-topping XSE trim; one of 2 new sporty Camrys designed to be different from the rest of the pack. You don’t have to look closely to spot an SE or XSE, their uniquely aggressive bodystyles are distinguishable from 2 football fields away. Unlike previous XSEs this one is seriously packing some heat, doing its best Nissan Maxima impression. Painted in this flattering Ruby Flare Pearl – a $395 option – this is a Camry that truly attracts attention.
This 4-cylinder XSE has a powertrain that, at times, feels adequately energized and refined but that also shows a lazy, disjointed side. Driving in Sport mode alleviates some of the gear-hunting from the new 8-speed Direct Shift transmission, but driving enthusiasts who are thinking Camry better check-out the V6 model. The tight steering, impeccably tuned chassis and quiet ride can be appreciated by everyone, however.
Toyota’s newly developed 8- and 10-speed Direct Shift torque converter transmissions have been engineered to blend the performance and efficiency attributes of a dual clutch gearbox with the smoothness of a conventional automatic. And my experience with it has been a bit Jekyll and Hyde. In Eco and Normal driving modes, the engine can feel bogged down and too eager to upshift, negatively impacting the harmony. But sometimes it’s as smooth as butter with quick reacting acceleration. Curious. Using the paddle shifters adds northing to the sport factor. But holy cow is this Camry on point with its new architecture. The body is tight and lightweight, the suspension movements are precisely controlled with a double wishbone setup at the rear and the ride quality is Lexus-like. It handles extremely well for a front-drive family car, benefitting from the XSE’s beefier stabilizer bars, sport-tuned shock absorbers and springs and 19” all-season tires. But it’s the steering wheel that delivers the brightest driver’s moment – this is electric assist at its best.
The interior has been crafted out of a higher quality mold, communicated through its richer touch points and Lexus quiet ride. But the touchscreen interface is mediocre at best.
This is the first Toyota to receive Entune 3.0 but its offerings and appearance don’t wow me. No Sat Radio, no embedded navigation and no CarPlay or Android Auto. You can use your connected smartphone to access Scout navigation but my experience with it has been poor. The basic 6 speaker sound system really surprises with its hard hitting bass and acoustic spaciousness, a big plus. The driver’s seat with power lumbar is terrific and the ergonomic placement of the driver and forward visibility make it instantly inviting to get in and drive. The safety features are abundant like auto high beams, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane departure alert with steering assist pedestrian detection among others – all standard. The only major option on my tester is the large panoramic roof leading to an as-tested price of $32,253…a legit bargain. Unlike its key rival, the equally all-new Honda Accord, the Camry remains a bit smaller but by no means small, retaining its true midsize dimensions, with ample rear seat room with sculpted, theater-style seating and a smartly cut, voluminous trunk. As I said earlier, I’d be interested in checking-out the XSE V6 to see how much more enjoyable it is to drive but this 4-cylinder model is going to mostly impress its intended audience.
Toyota knows full well that America’s love affair with the midsize sedan is currently undergoing marriage counseling. Their own customers have spoken loud and clear; they’d rather buy a RAV4, so this brand new Camry is Toyota’s go big or go home moment for its favored four-door. Unemotional styling has no place anymore. Lackluster driving dynamics are passé. This Camry takes a giant leap into the future. It’s sharp, refined, and dialed-in. And while almost everyone in this class has replaced their V6 in favor of a turbo-4, Toyota still offers their 3.5-liter motor here. As a matter of fact, there isn’t a turbo to found in any Camry. My car has the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine; in itself a marvel of modern engineering, equipped with every trick Toyota knows to blend power, smoothness and efficiency. It generates 206 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque while returning 32mpg in combined driving without the need for an automatic stop/start system…all very impressive. And those results are with this range-topping XSE trim; one of 2 new sporty Camrys designed to be different from the rest of the pack. You don’t have to look closely to spot an SE or XSE, their uniquely aggressive bodystyles are distinguishable from 2 football fields away. Unlike previous XSEs this one is seriously packing some heat, doing its best Nissan Maxima impression. Painted in this flattering Ruby Flare Pearl – a $395 option – this is a Camry that truly attracts attention.
This 4-cylinder XSE has a powertrain that, at times, feels adequately energized and refined but that also shows a lazy, disjointed side. Driving in Sport mode alleviates some of the gear-hunting from the new 8-speed Direct Shift transmission, but driving enthusiasts who are thinking Camry better check-out the V6 model. The tight steering, impeccably tuned chassis and quiet ride can be appreciated by everyone, however.
Toyota’s newly developed 8- and 10-speed Direct Shift torque converter transmissions have been engineered to blend the performance and efficiency attributes of a dual clutch gearbox with the smoothness of a conventional automatic. And my experience with it has been a bit Jekyll and Hyde. In Eco and Normal driving modes, the engine can feel bogged down and too eager to upshift, negatively impacting the harmony. But sometimes it’s as smooth as butter with quick reacting acceleration. Curious. Using the paddle shifters adds northing to the sport factor. But holy cow is this Camry on point with its new architecture. The body is tight and lightweight, the suspension movements are precisely controlled with a double wishbone setup at the rear and the ride quality is Lexus-like. It handles extremely well for a front-drive family car, benefitting from the XSE’s beefier stabilizer bars, sport-tuned shock absorbers and springs and 19” all-season tires. But it’s the steering wheel that delivers the brightest driver’s moment – this is electric assist at its best.
The interior has been crafted out of a higher quality mold, communicated through its richer touch points and Lexus quiet ride. But the touchscreen interface is mediocre at best.
This is the first Toyota to receive Entune 3.0 but its offerings and appearance don’t wow me. No Sat Radio, no embedded navigation and no CarPlay or Android Auto. You can use your connected smartphone to access Scout navigation but my experience with it has been poor. The basic 6 speaker sound system really surprises with its hard hitting bass and acoustic spaciousness, a big plus. The driver’s seat with power lumbar is terrific and the ergonomic placement of the driver and forward visibility make it instantly inviting to get in and drive. The safety features are abundant like auto high beams, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane departure alert with steering assist pedestrian detection among others – all standard. The only major option on my tester is the large panoramic roof leading to an as-tested price of $32,253…a legit bargain. Unlike its key rival, the equally all-new Honda Accord, the Camry remains a bit smaller but by no means small, retaining its true midsize dimensions, with ample rear seat room with sculpted, theater-style seating and a smartly cut, voluminous trunk. As I said earlier, I’d be interested in checking-out the XSE V6 to see how much more enjoyable it is to drive but this 4-cylinder model is going to mostly impress its intended audience.
2018 Toyota Camry Review
The Camry is still the best-selling car in America – has been for the past 15 years – but the RAV4 has overtaken it recently as the appetite for sedans starts to wane. So Toyota sees this as the perfect opportunity to reinvigorate its star performer. The all-new 2018 Camry is shedding its typically conservative design for more aggressive character lines and a lower center of gravity, most prominent on Sport grades which receive greater visual distinction. Utilizing a new engine, transmission and platform, this Camry aims to be a true driver’s car. The new platform also allows for an ideal seating position for the driver, now lower and near the center of the car for enhanced feedback, along with adjusting the overall seating position for all the vehicle’s occupants. Three new powertrains are available, including a new 3.5-liter V6, an all-new 2.5-liter 4 cylinder paired to a new 8-speed automatic and a next-generation Hybrid with Prius-like efficiency. At the foundation of the Camry’s sporty handling and enhanced ride quality is its high-strength body. Further aiding performance is an innovative new double wishbone rear suspension system that imbues the chassis with responsive handling and precise steering control while simultaneously delivering ride quality on par with premium luxury vehicles. Toyota Safety Sense P is standard featuring all of the latest camera and radar features such as a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection while Entune 3.0 is present on all models offering an enhanced set of connected vehicle technologies. The 2018 Camry will again be available in 4 grades: LE, XLE, SE and XSE.