Not that long ago the pricing for the 2018 Toyota Camry has been revealed and it came as a shock to many. However, things are better than they seem. For starters, Toyota added an entirely new base trim level with the L. This will start at $23,495 which is more than what the previous year LE cost. This is because the L not only comes with more features, but it also brings better engines in a much better package. Things like fully LED lit headlights and tail lights, an acoustic windshield, and even wood interior inserts are standard. The higher end LE model is near $1,000 more than the previous year’s car. Thanks to the price increase Toyota has been able to add quite a bit more to the car. This model comes with larger wheels, a folding rear seat, electric front seats and an overhead console.
Sporty?
The SE is the trim level most people are going to get. At $25,200 this offers pretty much everything one would need from a car. Things like an automatic climate control, a color display inside the instrument cluster, sport front seats and a sporty steering wheel as well as blacked out interior inserts are all standard.
2018 Toyota Camry prices based on trims:
MODEL | 2018 MSRP | 2017 MSRP | PRICE INCREASE |
L | $23,495 | – | – |
LE | $24,000 | $23,070 | +$930 |
SE | $25,200 | $23,840 | +$1,360 |
XLE | $28,450 | $26,310 | +$2,140 |
XSE | $29,000 | $26,310 | +$2,690 |
XLE V6 | $34,400 | $31,370 | +$3,030 |
XSE V6 | $34,950 | $31,370 | +$3,580 |
Hybrid LE | $27,800 | $26,790 | +$1,010 |
Hybrid SE | $29,500 | $27,995 | +$1,505 |
Hybrid XLE | $32,250 | $30,140 | +$2,110 |
The second performance-oriented model is the XSE. Despite its similar name, this trim level starts at $29,000, and it is the car’s most expensive one. This is because it comes with a lot of features over the regular models. As standard, there is a quad-exhaust system, different blacked out inserts inside the cabin, nicer sports seats as well as leather or suede upholstery. This particular model also comes with larger wheels and brakes and a tweaked suspension system for the best available driving experience. Unlike the others, this trim level can also be had with a 301 horsepower naturally aspirated V6 which will push the price closer to $35,000 making the 2018 Toyota Camry quite a bit more expensive than its predecessor.
Luxury
In order to please everyone, Toyota also kept the luxury-oriented trim level, the XLE. This comes with wood inserts, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, head-up display, heated leather seats as well as chrome inserts on the exterior. The V6 engine is available on this model as well so it should be perfect for those looking for a long distance car.
New Hybrid Technology
The 2018 Camry Hybrid comes with a new powertrain that offers more power and better efficiency than before. In fact, the base LE hybrid comes with a lithium-ion battery pack which allows it to get 51 MPG in the city and 53 MPG on the highway. This makes it the most efficient car in this class and one of the most efficient cars on the market.
Mar 7, 2017 / The Camry is the best-selling passenger car in the US by a rather big margin. Ever since 2011 sales increased each year until 2015 when it peaked at nearly 430,000 cars a year. In 2016 it sold slightly less due to the trend of buying crossovers instead of sedans. However, Toyota is not phased by this trend. Not that long ago they released the brand new 2018 Toyota Camry which is not just a mild facelift like some said.
In fact, the new Camry is a brand new vehicle based on Toyota’s newest modular architecture. It shares this chassis with the new Prius as well as the upcoming RAV4. Unlike the older car which had to be confined by the size of its platform, thanks to the modular design of the TNGA, the new Camry is larger and has considerably nicer proportions than before.
What Does the New Chassis Mean?
For starters, the Camry is not going to remain the transportation device it always was. The new chassis is considerably stiffer than before, it sports a lower center of gravity and allows the car to have better NVH levels as well. So far the car has been fast but it lacked any the driver involvement. To retain their customer base, the new car can still eight in plenty of trim levels suited for comfortable driving.
However, for those wanting more, Toyota will also release with the new model a sporty version. This will offer more power, a considerably tweaked chassis four and running gear as well as a sportier look, inside and out. The car will become available for sale in the third quarter of 2017 but its price is still unknown but we would bet it isn’t far from the original.
2018 Toyota Camry Specifications | |
Dimensions And Weight | |
Wheelbase | 111,3 in |
Length | 190,3 in |
Height | 56,7 in |
Width | 72,4 in |
Weight | 3240 lb |
Engine And Transmission | |
Engine type | base model, 2.5 liters in-line four |
Displacement | 2.5 liter |
Power/torque | 200 horsepower |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
Performance | |
0-60 mph | 6.2 sec |
Top speed | 130 mph |
PRICE RANGE: Starting at $24,000 (est) / ON SALE: the third quarter of 2017 | |
Competitors: Honda Accord, Ford Fusion |
2018 Toyota Camry Design
The 2018 Toyota Camry is a major risk for the Japanese company. Why? Well, the rule usually says to leave the thing that works unchanged. This has been used by many manufacturers so far, but Toyota wanted to stand out. We have to say that they also managed to do just that. The new Camry is definitely new. The front end is quite aggressive with a large air intake in the bumper and a smaller, but still good looking, grille. The headlights are swept back while the hood has ridges that provide a really great look.
The car’s rear end is also quite interesting. Instead of going for an evolution of the older model, it seems that Toyota took inspiration from Alfa Romeo and that is not a bad thing. The car sports large tail lights that wrap around the rear, the roof is arched towards the back with a large rear window and a rather small trunk lid. All of these make for a four-door coupe look which makes it unique in its class at this point. The SE and XSE models can also be had with an appearance package which will add quad exhausts, a rear spoiler, black roof, larger wheels, a rear diffuser and a new front bumper as well.
Inside the Cabin of New 2018 Toyota Camry
Things are considerably better here as well. There is still plenty of space for up to five people. This time around though the driving position is lower, the visibility is better and the materials have improved quite a bit. The dashboard features a flowing design which continues towards the rear passengers through the center console. The instrument cluster is clearly laid out while all the controls can easily be accessed by the driver.
Under the Hood
The 2018 Toyota Camry will come with an eight-speed automatic as the standard for all three engines except the hybrid which will get a CVT. The base model will get a 2.5 liter inline four while the top of the range model will get a 3.5 liter V6. Toyota hasn’t released the output for any of the three powertrains. It seems though that the hybrid could be quite closer to the older generation of the car. The 2.5 liter inline 4, on the other hand, received a lot of upgrades such as variable cooling, a new injection system, and many others. Early rumors suggest around 200 horsepower.
The V6, on the other hand, is likely going to be the same that has been seen on the new Sienna. This is known to make close to 300 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque which is a nice bump over the older model.
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