Refreshing or Revolting: 2018 Toyota Camry

Toyota is trying very hard to deliver on CEO Akio Toyoda’s promise of better-looking and better-driving vehicles. The 2018 Camry sedan is Toyota’s latest attempt to revamp its image, but does it deliver? Take a look at how the new Camry compares to its predecessor and decide for yourself.

For the new Camry, Toyota wanted to make a clear distinction between base models and sportier SE and XSE trims. To this end, the LE has a wide lower valance opening with horizontal slats and the XSE has a blacked-out mesh lower valance that looks more menacing. Both models have a narrow grille with the Toyota emblem placed in the center, along with angular headlights that sport unique LED accents. The outgoing Camry also has a wide hourglass-shaped grille reminiscent of Lexus’ characteristic spindle design, but the headlights are rounder and the front end is generally less aggressive-looking.

2018 Toyota Camry XSE front three quarter spotlight 2016-Toyota-Camry-SE-Special-Edition-front-three-quarter1 2018 Toyota Camry XSE V 6 front end 2016-Toyota-Camry-Hybrid-front-end 2018 Toyota Camry XLE Hybrid front three quarter 2016-Toyota-Camry-Hybrid-front-three-quarter 2018 Toyota Camry XSE front three quarter 2016-Toyota-Camry-Hybrid-front-three-quarter-in-motion

From the side, the new Camry appears more low-slung than the model it replaces. There are many character lines running through the body, including one in the C-pillar that gives it a scalloped look. The 2018 Camry has wheels ranging in size from 16 to 19 inches, and an XSE model equipped with the 19s has a particularly athletic stance.

2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE side profile 2015-Toyota-Camry-Hybrid-side-profile 2018 Toyota Camry XLE Hybrid side 2015-Toyota-Camry-XLE-side-in-motion-03

The taillights are again wide and horizontally oriented like on the old model, but they spill onto the rear fenders more than before. The rear bumper is more sculpted and features a vent just beneath the taillights on XSE models. A quad-tip dual exhaust is available for the first time ever on a Camry, offered on the XSE.

2018 Toyota Camry XLE Hybrid rear three quarter 2016-Toyota-Camry-SE-Special-Edition-rear-three-quarter 2018 Toyota Camry XLE Hybrid rear end 2016-Toyota-Camry-SE-Special-Edition-rear-end 2018 Toyota Camry XSE taillight 2016-Toyota-Camry-SE-Special-Edition-rear-taillight 2018 Toyota Camry XLE Hybrid rear badge 2016-Toyota-Camry-SE-Special-Edition-rear-details

The cabin is also a radical departure from Toyota’s typically bland design language. An asymmetrical dash and center stack draws your eyes to the center, where an 8-inch touchscreen running the latest Entune infotainment system sits. There’s also an available 10-inch color head-up display that projects relevant driving info onto the windshield.

2018 Toyota Camry XSE V 6 cockpit 2015-Toyota-Camry-XLE-interior-2 2018 Toyota Camry XSE interior 2015-Toyota-Camry-XSE-interior-from-driver-side 2018 Toyota Camry XSE V 6 center stack screen 2015-toyota-camry-nav-screen 2015-toyota-camry-interior 2018 Toyota Camry XSE cabin

The 2018 Toyota Camry takes the nameplate in a very different design direction, but is it enough? Tell us in the comments below.

Last week, we asked you to choose between Kia’s new Stinger and the five-door fastbacks from BMW and Audi. A lot of you seemed to fancy the Kia.

“The Kia Stinger wins this time around. It looks damn near perfect!” said John Matovich.

“Kia killed it aesthically speaking…” said Cabdriver1.

Still, there were some detractors.

“To me, this is a joke. The design of the Kia does not come close to measuring up with the upscale, restrained elegance of the Audi and BMW…” said JAG-XJL

 

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