When the 2018 Toyota Camrywas revealed back in January at the Detroit auto show, all the talk was about its wild new styling. But for buyers in this segment, price and fuel economy are still major factors. Now we have the figures for them, and they’re both higher than before.
A 2.5-liter four-cylinder again is the standard engine, but it’s new and now pairs with an eight-speed automatic in place of the previous six-speed. Output climbs to 203 horsepower and 206 in the XSE (versus 178 before); torque swells from 170 lb-ft to 184, and 186 in the XSE (its quad exhaust outlets make the difference). Fuel economy climbs even more. Most versions are rated at 28 mpg city, 39 highway, increases of 4 mpg city and 6 mpg highway. A new base L model does even better, at 29 city and 41 highway.
The Camry again offers an optional V-6, even as V-6s are falling out of favor in this segment (the 2018 Honda Accord is dropping its six). Toyota’s 3.5-liter pumps out a hearty 301 horsepower (an increase of 33 hp) and 267 lb-ft of torque (up 19 lb-ft). Here, too, the engine is paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic, and EPA numbers improve despite the additional grunt. The V-6 XLE is rated at 22 mpg city and 33 highway, while the XSE has the same city rating but drops by 1 mpg on the highway. This is up from 21/30 for the 2017 car.
The biggest fuel-economy news is with the hybrid, which tops 50 mpg for the first time, putting it at the head of the class of gas-electric mid-size sedans. There is, however, an asterisk. The Camry LE hybrid notches EPA ratings of 51 mpg city, 53 mpg highway—putting it ahead of the (current) Honda Accord hybrid’s 49 city, 47 highway. The Camry SE and XLE hybrids match the Accord’s highway figure, but achieve 5 mpg less in the city. Why the big difference? Aside from equipment levels and tires, the LE has a lighter, lithium-ion battery pack, while the SE and XLE continue with a nickel-metal-hydride unit.
Money Matters
So the 2018 Camry offers more styling, more power, and better mileage, but it also costs more money. The 2017 Camry started at $23,955 for the base LE; for 2018, there’s an even-more-base L version (it drops the formerly standard power driver’s seat, 17-inch alloys, split-folding rear seat, and other items), but it’s $24,380, while the LE is now $24,885. The sportier SE, previously $770 more than its LE sibling, now commands a $1200 premium, at $26,085. At the ritzy “X” level, the XLE is $29,335, an increase of $2140, and the XSE is $29,885, an increase of $2690.
The hybrid comes in three versions: LE ($28,685), SE ($30,385), and XLE ($33,135). Those prices represent increases of $1010, $1505, and $2110.
At the top of the heap are the V-6 models, at $35,285 for the XLE and $35,835 for the XSE. The XLE is a $3030 increase, while the XSE, the most expensive Camry available, costs $3580 more than last year.
The new cars, however, do have more standard safety equipment. Most notably, all Camrys—even the cheapie L—come standard with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and automatic high-beams, a package dubbed Toyota Safety Sense P.
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