Toyota has been long accused of making some of the most boring cars on the planet – a reputation its CEO is clearly tired of. Imagine our surprise, then, when we first clapped our eyes on the new 2018 Toyota Camry which had finally ditched its dreary looks and received a much-needed makeover. As America's best-selling car for 15 years enters its eight-generation, Toyota has revealed all the details you need to know about the mid-sized sedan before it rolls into dealers later this summer.
Put simply, this is the most powerful, most fuel efficient and most compelling Camry yet. The biggest surprise is that the range-topping 3.5-liter V6 model now produces a whopping 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque compared to the outgoing V6 model's 268 hp. Despite packing more power, the V6 model is eight percent more fuel efficient than the previous V6, boasting a combined 26 mpg rating. Even the entry-level models are no slouches, thanks to Toyota's new 2.5-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder unit cranking out 206 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. That's an impressive improvement over the last model, which packed 176 hp and 163 lb-ft.
Toyota says the base models will achieve an EPA estimate of 36 mpg combined – a 26 percent improvement over the last model. Environment-conscious buyers will of course also have the option of a hybrid Camry, which has a total output of 208 hp and a combined rating of 52 mpg. Both the 2.5-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V5 models are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Of course, the power increases mean you can expect a price jump on all models. The most basic L model costs $24,380, while the top tier XLE V6 will set you back $35,836. The 2018 Camry rides on Toyota's new TNGA architecture which is said to be 30 percent stiffer, while the wheelbase is now 1.9 inches longer.
A wealth of driver assists are available as standard, including blind spot detection, collision mitigation, and automatic braking. All models will benefit from Toyota's new Entune 3.0 infotainment system, while the V6 model includes a Dynamic Navigation system with improved map accuracy. "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."
