Conventional wisdom would say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
After all, Toyota’s Camry has been the best-selling car in the United States for the last 15 years. Hard to do better, right?
Wrong.
It was time for a freshening – aka an eighth generation model. And the Japanese automaker has not touched its core values of superlative build quality and safety. But it has gone all-in with a new engine, transmission and global architecture platform.
My 2018 Camry Hybrid SEL was the final result: newfound performance and style to reinvigorate the model with more exciting and emotional character. I guess you can improve on a bestseller.
“With an exhilarating design, refined interior, stirring driving performance, cutting-edge safety and technology and class-leading fuel efficiency, the all-new Camry retains its excellent value while raising its level of fun and excitement to new heights,” said Bill Fay, Toyota senior vice president of automotive operations. “It is, quite simply, the best Camry ever and the benchmark in the mid-size sedan segment.”
Forget about a frumpy, family-style sedan and think about an exhilarating, stylish exterior design that appealed to my early-20s daughter. Let’s say it has attitude. The new-look Camry is lower to the ground, with a wider stance and a sporty upscale image.
Camry will be available in five grades: L, LE, XLE, SE and XSE. The sportier SE and XSE grades wear a noticeably different body style than the entry level L and LE and premium XLE grades, highlighted by a sculpted rocker panel, new 19-inch black machined-finish alloy wheels, a subtle rear spoiler lip, aggressive front bumper and rear bumper with a lower diffuse.
My hybrid tester came equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder dynamic force engine with outstanding combustion efficiency. This new power plant incorporates an array of Toyota’s most advanced technologies and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The new Toyota Hybrid System has been engineered to provide spirited performance and driving enjoyment – including new Sequential Shiftmatic technology that allows the driver to shift the continuously variable transmission. Mission accomplished.
Best of all, the combination provides exemplary fuel economy as rated by the EPA: 44 city/47 highway/and 46 miles per gallon combined.
The interior reminded me of a luxury car with leather-trimmed and heated front seats, Entune 3.0 audio with six-speakers and connected navigation, Bluetooth, USB, backup camera and pushbutton start, to name a few.
And safety features compare with the big boys, highlighted by dynamic radar cruise control, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, traction control, automatic high beams, brake assist and anti-theft.
I fell in love with this hybrid, and if the high $30s are a concern, the base price on this particular model was $32,250. A bargain. Factor in fuel economy and it’s a downright steal.
Base Price: $32,250
Price As Driven: $37,245
Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
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