The all-new eighth-generation 2018 Toyota Camry has officially launched in Australia.
With a starting price of $27,690 for the four-cylinder petrol Ascent (an increase of $1200), the Camry remains competitive without the added pressure of keeping deals sharp to keep the local factory ticking over.
Now imported from Japan, the new Camry is the first sedan to utilise Toyota's New Global Architecture (TNGA). This new platform has already been utilised on the C-HR.
Toyota claims the new architecture has “transformed the way Toyota vehicles are designed, engineered and packaged.”
The new Camry uses the TNGA to deliver a more athletic profile, an amended driving position and importantly, greater dynamic ability which is aided by a lower centre of gravity and 30 per cent improvement in torsional rigidity.
There have been extensive changes to the Camry’s mechanicals to rebrand the car as a legitimate option for keen drivers. The front MacPherson strut suspension setup has been redesigned, remounted and given new geometry - for improved handling, stability, grip and ride quality.
At the rear, the suspension utilises separate spring and damper units to improve stability. The geometry is all new and there’s a new calibration of some of the bushings.
New electric power steering and an improved braking package have also been added.
The Camry’s wheelbase has grown by 50mm while the bonnet trailing-edge sits 40mm lower, leaving the car 25mm lower overall.
There’s a bit more aggression in the Camry’s exterior. The bumper to bumper redesign has given designers a reason to show a bit more flair.
On the inside is a completely redesigned interior. The dashboard, instrument panel, centre console and door trims benefit from higher grade soft-touch materials. There’s also a focus on the driver with angled gauges.
Toyota has adopted new grade names: Ascent and Ascent Sport (4-cylinder petrol or hybrid), SX (4-cylinder or V6) and SL (all three powertrains).
The 2.5-litre petrol engine is carried over and is now matched to an improved six-speed automatic transmission.
The hybrid powertrain now has a combined power output of 160kW and importantly comes in at a reasonable $29,990 which should keep taxi and Uber drivers happy.
In SX and SL trim levels, the new 3.5-litre 224kW/362Nm V6 engine is available. The V6 carries a $4,000 premium over four-cylinder variants but also gets an eight-speed automatic transmission.
ANCAP has tested the new Camry and a 5-star safety rating has been announced.
2018 Toyota Camry key equipment highlights
Ascent (4-cylinder petrol)
Safety:
Pre-Collision Safety System
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Lane Departure Alert with steering assist
Auto High Beam
All-Speed Cruise Control
7 Airbags
VSC, TRC, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Brake Hold
Reversing camera with Back Guide Monitor
Immobiliser & alarm
Mechanical:
2.5-litre petrol engine
Six-speed automatic transmission
Independent suspension
17-inch alloy wheels
Full-size spare wheel
Drive Mode Select
Exterior:
LED headlamps with auto levelling
LED rear combination lamps
LED DRLs
Interior:
4.2-inch multi-information display (MID)
Fabric seat trim
Urethane steering wheel with audio, phone and MID controls
Urethane gear shifter
Manual tilt & telescopic steering column adjustment
60/40 split-fold rear seat
12V accessory connector
Audio:
7-inch display screen
Toyota link
6 speakers
Auxiliary and USB ports
Comfort & Convenience:
Electronic parking brake
Manual air-conditioning
Driver's seat power lumbar adjustment
Auto power windows front & rear
Hybrid:
Hybrid-specific 2.5-litre engine
Electric motor
Electronic CVT
Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery (under rear seat)
Dual-zone air conditioning
Keyless smart entry and ignition
Space-saver spare wheel
Ascent Sport (4-cylinder petrol and hybrid)
As per Ascent, with these additions/changes:
Mechanical:
Temporary Spare Wheel
Exterior:
Sports front grille (matte finish)
Sports rear bumper
Sports side skirts
Interior:
Premium steering wheel
Premium gear shifter
Stainless steel scuff plates
LED glovebox lamp
Audio:
8-inch display audio
Satellite navigation
Comfort & Convenience:
Dual-zone air conditioning
Power driver's seat (slide, recline, vertical adjustment)
Front and rear parking clearance sonar
Keyless smart entry and ignition
SX (4-cylinder petrol and V6)
As per Ascent Sport, with these additions:
Mechanical:
Paddle shifters
Sports independent suspension
19-inch alloy wheels
Exterior:
High-grade LED headlamps with auto levelling
High-grade LED rear combination lamps
Sports front grille (high gloss)
Rear boot-lid spoiler
Interior:
Sports seats
Sports leather-accented seat trim
Audio:
Two Additional USB port (rear)
Comfort & Convenience:
Wireless phone charger
V6:
3.5-litre V6 petrol engine
Eight-speed automatic transmission
SL (4-cylinder petrol, hybrid and V6)
As per Ascent Sport, with these additions/changes:
Safety:
Blind Spot Monitor
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Mechanical:
18-inch alloy wheels
Exterior:
Sports front grille (high gloss)
Rear boot-lid spoiler
Panoramic roof glass opening (on petrol models)
Electric tilt & slide moonroof on Hybrid
Interior:
Leather-accented seat trim
Intelligent ambient illumination
Power tilt & telescopic steering column adjustment
Comfort & Convenience:
Driver's seat memory
Electro-chromatic interior mirror
10-inch colour Head-up Display
Power driver's and passenger seat (lumbar, slide, recline, vertical)
Ventilated seats
Rain-sensing wipers
2018 Toyota Camry pricing (excludes on-road costs):
Four-cylinder petrol
Ascent - $27,690 (+$1,200)
Ascent Sport - $29,990 (-$200)
SX - $33,290 (-$200)
SL - $39,990 (+$2,550)
Hybrid
Ascent - $29,990 (-$500)
Ascent Sport - $31,990 (-$1,200)
SL - $40,990 (+$550)
V6
SX - $37,290 (-$6,700)
SL - $43,990 (-$6,450)
Options:
All grades: premium paint $450
SX: panoramic roof $1,950
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