The 2018 Toyota Camry marked a significant leap forward for the best-selling car in America, representing a complete evolution from its predecessors. For fifteen consecutive years, the Camry had held its position as America’s favorite sedan, and the 2018 model aimed to not only maintain this dominance but also redefine expectations within the mid-size sedan segment. This eighth-generation Camry arrived with a bold new design, enhanced performance, and cutting-edge technology, promising a more emotionally engaging driving experience without compromising its renowned reliability and safety.
The foundation of this transformation lay in the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), a revolutionary approach to vehicle design and engineering. TNGA allowed Toyota to retain its core values of build quality and safety while injecting a newfound sense of driving excitement and style into the Camry. This new architecture manifested in the implementation of a new engine, transmission, and the GA-K platform, all contributing to a vehicle that was not just dependable, but also genuinely thrilling to drive.
Bill Fay, Toyota senior vice president of automotive operations, perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the new model, stating, “With an exhilarating design, refined interior, stirring driving performance, cutting-edge safety and technology, and class-leading fuel efficiency, the all-new Toyota Camry 2018 retains its excellent value while raising its level of fun and excitement to new heights. It is, quite simply, the best Camry ever and the benchmark in the mid-size sedan segment.”
A Design Philosophy Rooted in Emotion and Refinement
The design team behind the Toyota Camry 2018 embarked on a mission to create a vehicle that resonated with both refinement and athletic appeal. Their objective was to move beyond the traditional Camry aesthetic and establish a new design language that would propel the car into a more beautiful and futuristic direction. This vision was guided by three core design principles: achieving a distinctive, low center of gravity for a firm and wide stance; crafting a cabin profile that was both practical and emotionally styled; and projecting a sporty and upscale image both inside and out.
The result of this design philosophy was a sedan that was not only visually striking but also delivered a more engaging driving experience. The 2018 Toyota Camry re-established itself as the gold standard in the mid-size sedan category by seamlessly blending captivating aesthetics with enhanced driving dynamics.
Exterior Styling: An Unexpectedly Bold Statement
The front fascia of the Toyota Camry 2018 immediately commands attention with its two-piece grille. This design element, a key aspect of Toyota’s “Keen Look” philosophy, features a harmonious blend of flowing thin and thick treatments. Positioned above the grille’s upper section is a sculpted 1.6-inch-lower aluminum hood, proudly displaying the Toyota emblem. Notably, the hybrid model distinguishes itself with a blue-tinged emblem, adding a subtle visual cue to its eco-friendly powertrain. This combination of grille, hood, and emblem flows seamlessly into the A-pillar, creating a front stance that is undeniably more assertive than any previous Camry iteration.
The 2018 Toyota Camry boasts a sleeker silhouette compared to its predecessor. By strategically lowering the hip points of occupants (0.8 inches in the front and 1.2 inches in the rear), the design team successfully reduced the overall vehicle height by approximately one inch and incorporated a lower roofline without compromising interior spaciousness. This design modification not only enhanced the car’s aerodynamic profile but also contributed to its more dynamic and sporty appearance. Aggressive character lines flowing along the body further accentuate the bold front and rear fenders, lending the reimagined Camry a level of sportiness previously unseen in this model.
The lower hip point, shoulder line, roofline, and hood height collectively create the visual impression of a lower center of gravity, which is indeed a reality in the Toyota Camry 2018. Leveraging the versatility of the TNGA platform, designers penned ground-hugging lines and an energetic silhouette that enhances the Camry’s stance from every angle. Mirroring the assertive front design, the rear of the vehicle features an athletic aesthetic, blending flowing lines and complex shapes into a sculpted form. The C-pillar detail reveals a multitude of surfaces that play with light from various angles. A distinct crease extends from the slim, multi-color taillights down to the bumper, visually pushing the wheels outward and creating a wide, premium sports sedan-like posture. Adding an upscale touch is the newly designed “C A M R Y” badge, further elevating the car’s identity.
The Toyota Camry 2018 is available in five distinct grades: L, LE, XLE, SE, and XSE. The sport-oriented SE and XSE grades feature a more aggressive body style compared to the L, LE, and premium XLE trims. Key differentiators include sculpted rocker panels, new 19-inch black machined-finish alloy wheels (standard on XSE and optional on SE), a subtle rear spoiler lip, and a unique front and rear bumper design with a lower diffuser. The front fascia of the sport grades is particularly striking, featuring large side intakes flanking the lower bumper’s “Catamaran-inspired” accents, a high and slim upper intake encompassing the central Toyota badge, and a powerfully expressive gloss black mesh grille. Distinctive corner lines on the rear bumper and smoke-tinted rear combination lamps complete the sporty transformation.
Toyota designers aimed to ensure that the sport grades of the 2018 Camry were instantly recognizable and visually distinct from other models, even from a distance of 200 yards.
A Cabin Designed for Comfort and Driver Engagement
The interior of the Toyota Camry 2018 underwent a complete redesign, resulting in a cabin that seamlessly blends functionality, futuristic styling, and a high degree of personal space and craftsmanship. The driver is positioned in a sporty, cockpit-like environment with gauges angled towards them, while the front passenger enjoys a sense of openness and freedom, fostered by the innovative dashboard design. A sweeping character line flows from the instrument cluster, bisecting the center console waterfall, serving as a key visual element of this driver-centric design concept. The entire front console design strikes a balance between user-friendly controls and a handsome, modern aesthetic.
Throughout the cabin, premium soft-touch materials are employed on all surfaces, including the dashboard, instrument panel, center console, and door trim. Drawing inspiration from home furnishings, the interior design utilizes a mix of tones and hues rather than a strict color profile, creating a cabin space that is both visually satisfying and enhances passenger comfort.
The new front seats of the Toyota Camry 2018 feature improved ergonomics, providing enhanced comfort and engagement to match the car’s elevated performance and athleticism. Rear-seat accommodations are also more refined, offering improved comfort and ergonomics. Exquisite stitching on both front and rear seats exemplifies the high level of craftsmanship throughout the vehicle.
Advanced Technology for a Connected Driving Experience
The Toyota Camry 2018 incorporates Toyota’s latest in-vehicle information technology, offering a unique level of integrated information with minimal driver distraction. Information is relayed through three available interconnected displays: a 10-inch color Head-Up Display (HUD), a seven-inch multi-information display within the instrument cluster, and an eight-inch audio/navigation/HVAC control panel seamlessly integrated into the center console. Customizable features and smartphone-like touchscreen icons ensure intuitive operation and create a seamless connection between the in-vehicle technology and other digital media.
Performance and Driving Dynamics: A New Era for Camry
The Toyota Camry 2018 is built upon a rigid body and platform, resulting in a comfortable, stable ride with superior handling characteristics. The lightweight, high-rigidity structure boasts a 30-percent increase in torsional rigidity. Weight reduction is further achieved through the use of an aluminum hood and thinner body panels in areas such as the roof, hood, trunk lid, and doors, despite the increased use of high-tensile-strength steel and hot stamping materials.
Laser Screw Welding (LSW) at key body/platform junctures and high-rigidity urethane adhesive for the windshield and rear window enhance joint rigidity and overall body stiffness. Additional gussets for the front/rear door frame (B-pillar) further strengthen the frame and joints. The front suspension tower brace within the cowl body now features a closed cross-section construction, contributing to enhanced dynamic handling and cornering stability. At the rear, a new annular construction rear body frame and additional suspension braces increase lateral rigidity and the vehicle’s ability to withstand lateral forces.
Powertrain Options: More Power, Class-Leading MPG
The Toyota Camry 2018 offers three new powertrain options: an all-new 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder Dynamic Force Engine, a new 3.5-liter V6 with D-4S Fuel Injection, both paired with a new eight-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission (8AT), and a next-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS II).
2.5-Liter 4-Cylinder Dynamic Force Engine
The TNGA-inspired 2.5-liter four-cylinder Dynamic Force Engine delivers high power output with smooth and refined operation and exceptional combustion efficiency. It incorporates advanced technologies such as Dual VVT-i with VVT-iE, D-4S direct injection, and laser-clad valve seats. Estimated peak horsepower is 206 at 6,600 rpm, with torque estimated at 186 lb.-ft. at 5,000 rpm. Fuel economy is EPA-estimated at 29 mpg city/41 mpg highway/34 mpg combined, a significant improvement over the previous model.
3.5-Liter V-6 Engine
The newly developed 3.5-liter V6 engine also features D-4S direct injection and a new VVT-iW system, delivering higher power output and class-leading fuel efficiency for its class. Power output is rated at 301 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 267 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 22 mpg city/33 mpg highway/26 mpg combined.
Direct Shift Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission
Both gasoline engines are paired with the new Direct Shift 8-speed automatic transmission, providing direct acceleration, quick-shifting capability, and enhanced fuel economy. Gear ratios are optimized for both power delivery and fuel efficiency, with mid-range gears designed for improved passing power.
Toyota Hybrid System
The new Toyota Hybrid System (THS II) in the Toyota Camry 2018 Hybrid offers spirited performance and driving enjoyment with Sequential Shiftmatic technology, allowing drivers to mimic a six-speed automatic transmission via paddle shifters or the console-mounted shift lever. The hybrid achieves class-leading fuel efficiency, with an EPA-estimated 52 mpg combined on the LE grade and 46 mpg combined on the SE and XLE grades. The hybrid battery pack is moved beneath the rear seat thanks to the TNGA platform, improving driving characteristics and trunk room.
Enhanced Ride and Handling
Building upon the Camry’s reputation for a smooth and quiet ride, Toyota engineers incorporated NVH countermeasures previously found only in luxury models. These include sound-absorbing and insulation materials, foam/vibration dampening, a thicker dash silencer mat, and a vibration-damping underfloor coating. Wind noise is reduced through a newly designed rain gutter molding and a reduction in windshield step height.
The Toyota Camry 2018 features a new double wishbone rear suspension system, enhancing handling responsiveness and steering control while maintaining a comfortable ride quality. A new four-point engine mounting system further reduces NVH levels in the passenger compartment.
Safety and Technology: Prioritizing Driver and Passenger Well-being
The Toyota Camry 2018 comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense™ P (TSS-P), a suite of active safety systems including Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), and Automatic High Beams (AHB). Select models also include standard Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS) with Rear Cross Traffic Braking (RCTB) is also available. All 2018 Toyota Camry models feature 10 standard airbags and Toyota’s Star Safety System™.
The Toyota Camry 2018 debuts the Entune™ 3.0 multimedia system, offering enhanced connectivity and entertainment features. Entune™ 3.0 includes navigation and Entune™ 3.0 App Suite Connect standard on all models. Connected Navigation Scout® GPS Link with Moving Maps is standard on four-cylinder and hybrid models, while V6 models offer the new Dynamic Navigation system with improved map accuracy and wireless map updates. Available features include Remote Connect, Service Connect, and in-vehicle Wi-Fi Connect powered by Verizon. A JBL® premium audio system with sound enhancements is also available.
American-Made and Globally Recognized
The Toyota Camry 2018 continues to be primarily manufactured at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky (TMMK) in Georgetown, Kentucky, the Camry’s American home for three decades. The Camry, sold in over 100 countries, is a global segment leader, with over 18 million units sold worldwide since its introduction in 1982.
Value and Pricing
The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Toyota Camry 2018 gas models ranges from $23,495 for the L grade 4-cylinder to $34,950 for the Premium XSE V6. Camry hybrid models range from $27,800 for the LE to $32,250 for the XLE. These prices exclude the delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee of $885.
The Toyota Camry 2018 represents a significant evolution, offering a compelling blend of style, performance, safety, and technology, solidifying its position as a leader in the mid-size sedan market and the best Camry to date.
