Auto news on Youtube Dec 26 2017

With the 8th-generation Camry, Toyota has bathed their perpetually strong

selling sedan in sassy style. Does that mean the sensible, sober Camry we know is

a thing of the past? Well, no. Think of the new Camry more like

you're responsible cousin that has the stable job down at the City Planning

Office. Except what they're like on the weekend when things get craaay. The

practical trappings of a Camry are all here. The seats are contoured for comfort

both front and rear, passenger space is plentiful though more foot space under

the front seats would be cool, critical touch points feel nice, center

console storage is generous, there's a convenient spot to stow your phone near

the standard USB outlet, the volume and tune knobs are placed conveniently

together and within easy reach of the driver, just don't mix them up, and all

the other controls are simple to use and clearly labeled. But hey, here comes the weekend!

Dig that swoopy dash. Swoopiness aside this cabin is no more polarizing than the

Camrys that preceded it. One area that might cause by our concern is the

infotainment system. I'll just copy and paste what I said in another review.

"We continue to marvel at the lack of modern smartphone integration via

apple carplay and android auto. While most car makers offer these technologies

Toyota remains a stubborn holdout". The Camry does offer Siri eyes free, Google

voice control, and a three year subscription to a Scout navigation app.

But those are imperfect stand-ins for proper smartphone integration. To be

clear, the interface is laid out just fine. It's totally easy to use. If you

don't care about accessing your phone's navigation, entertainment, phone, and

texting abilities conveniently through the vehicle's touchscreen please ignore

everything I just said.

Camry trunk space is a reasonable 15.1 cubic feet in all but the L trim, which

is one cubic foot smaller for some reason. For bringing home long items the

seats fold but it is not a flat transition. Of note, Toyota moved the

Camry hybrid's battery from the trunk to beneath the rear seats, giving the Hybrid

the exact same trunk and pass-through as the standard Camry. Where propulsion is

concerned the Toyota Camry uses a 3.5 liter v6 on higher trims, unlike most of

its competitors whose high power thrills come from turbocharged four cylinders. At

a touch more than 300 horsepower the Camry v6 is a great way to light the

tires when leaving the Cosco parking lot. But most Camrys will come with the

standard four-cylinder, which for domestic duty does the job just fine,

offering a good blend of performance and efficiency. That was less efficient. That

efficiency is impressive across the board. In fact, stick with the base L trim

and the EPA estimates better than 40 mpg on the freeway.

Of course, the v6 is notably less efficient but again if you want to make

a scene leaving the post office elevated fuel costs might be worth it. Both the v6

and the four-cylinder come joined to a very nice 8-speed automatic transmission

whose torque converter features a multi-plate lock-up clutch for more

direct throttle response and improved efficiency. And if you're the kind of

person who needs manual control of that 8-speed automatic you've got the shifter

down here but on SE trims and higher there are paddle shifters that I'm

guessing you will never use. Shame. Shame! Shame. Yeah, I guess there's some shame on

me now isn't there?

Rounding out the powertrain roster is the Camry Hybrid whose electric torque

enables lively acceleration and superior fuel economy. Keep in mind if efficiency

is your number one goal the less expensive LE trim with it's

strangely pricier lithium-ion battery pack is these superior hybrid choice.

Like it's forebears the Toyota Camry remains a compliant driving sedan but

that smooth riding nature is now complemented by more precise steering

and slightly more athletic road manners. This is not a sports sedan but it is a

Camry with a spritz of dynamism. Buy the base, slightly more than $24,000, Camry L

trim and along with that spritz of dynamism it'll come with 10 airbags, a

backup camera, Bluetooth, two-years complimentary maintenance, and safety

sense P, a suite of active safety aides that includes dynamic radar cruise

control that'll automatically keep pace with vehicle ahead lane keeping assist

to keep you from inadvertently departing your lane, automatic emergency braking

with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. The Camry L is fine but for

only $500 more the LE trim adds 60/40 split-folding rear seats with a center

armrest, an overhead console with sunglass storage, and power front seats

with driver side lumbar support. Higher trims and the option sheet round out the

Camrys equipment roster with wireless phone charging, three USB ports,

navigation, keyless access with push button start, a 360 degree camera system,

an eight-inch touchscreen replacing the standard 7-inch unit, dual-zone automatic

climate control, leather seats, blind spot monitoring, a panoramic moonroof, and AC

vents for rear-seat passengers, though they only come on the high-end XLE and

XSE trims. Speaking of the sporty XSE, both it and the SE trim elevate the

Camry's swagger with sport-ily revised styling along with an optional two-tone

roof and four exhaust tips. Before you scream fake news about those four

exhaust tips you should know the XSE has a three horsepower and two pound

foot advantage over the standard camry. Use that power wisely.

Spend without limits and you can load up a camry XSE v6 to the tune of nearly

$38,000. The mid-sized sedan field is saturated with great choices including

the similarly priced Honda Accord and slightly less expensive choices like the

Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Ford Fusion, and Nissan Altima among others. Choosing

the right car from this field is less about good versus bad and more about

your personal tastes. That said, many buyers just want a car they won't regret.

Something reliable and uncomplicated that's easy to drive and live with that

won't torpedo their personal finances over the long haul. The Toyota Camry is

still that car. Consider it proof that the responsible choice is a little bit

more palatable when you wrap it up in some emotion.

A spirit of dynamism. A scent for a man or a Micah. Pretty self-deprecating Cologne.

I dare you to find a more self-deprecating Cologne