Toyota Camry SL 2018 Review

What’s it all about?

The least profoundly-affected car in the backwash from the closure of Australian manufacturing, Toyota’s Camry continues pretty much unmolested.

It’s the eight generation of a car we’ve known since the first fully-imported GLi five-door hatchback arrived in 1983 to sell alongside the locally-assembled Corona until it was replaced by the (also locally-built) Camry sedan in 1987.So the again-imported Camry is really a follow-up of the locally-built swansong car, updated to the latest generation. It even features a carryover four-cylinder engine.

The Camry is a massive presence in Toyota’s local lineup: With 23,620 sales in 2017 it was the third best-selling Toyota behind the HiLux (47,093) and Corolla (37,353).How much will it cost?Not unexpectedly, Camry pricing was reconfigured with the launch of the fully-imported car.

The 2.5-litre SL version reviewed here is up $2500 over its locally-built predecessor, much of which is explained away by a big lift in equipment levels.The lesser-equipped Ascent Sport and SX, though, are actually down $200 on preceding models, as are the entry Ascent Hybrid (down $550) and the Ascent Sport Hybrid (down $1200).

But the base Ascent is up (by $1200), as is the premium SL hybrid, by $550.To quantify the upgrades, the SL 2.5, in addition to the now-universal adoption of autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert and lane-keep assist, adds niceties including an electric park brake, auto high-beam LED headlights and a trailer-sway warning system.

A massive 10.0-inch head-up display, electrochromatic rearview mirror, paddle shifters, rain-sensing wipers, ventilated leather-trimmed seats (powered at the front) power steering column adjustment, front parking sensors and a panoramic sunroof are also standard fit.

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Why should I/shouldn’t I buy it?

The eighth-generation Camry is fundamentally all-new: Based on Toyota’s New Global Architecture platform, it’s bigger in all directions, offering more cabin and luggage space and also a new double-wishbone rear suspension – although it retains a (reworked) MacPherson strut front-end.

The upshot is improved ride and handling – always welcome – although the Camry continues its tradition of being staid, rather than superlative, on the road. It grips well and is responsive to the nicely-weighted steering (2.7 turns lock-to-lock), the ride is pleasant and all-round vision is about as good as you’ll get in a large contemporary sedan.

But the 2.5-litre four-cylinder feels a bit lacklustre compared to many of its turbocharged contemporaries and, although the cabin is essentially quiet, there was some unexpected noise intrusion from the large 19-inch 235/40 tyres.Our week with the Camry saw it returning an average 9.2L/100km, which was within reasonable reach of the official 8.3L/100km claim.

No fuss about fuel either: The 2.5-litre four requires only regular unleaded and is happy to run on E10 as well.Interior space has not been a Camry problem for as long as we can remember and the new car continues as spacious and passenger-friendly, at the upper end of the class. At a decent 524 litres the boot is pretty useful, with a wide opening and a 60:40 split-fold rear seat helping expand its capabilities.Towing capabilities are only reasonable though, at 1200kg for a braked trailer.

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When is it available in Australia?

The fully-imported Camry went on sale nationally in November 2017, in four-cylinder and hybrid form, as well as with the new Atkinson-cycle direct-injected, 224kW/362Nm 3.5-litre V6 engine.The V6-powered Camry effectively replaces the previous Aurion that sold alongside the four-cylinder Camry previously.

Who will it appeal to?

The Camry SL 2.5 is a sure-fire bet for the mass market. It’s safe, sure to be reliable and is unlikely to reveal any unexpected surprises. However, it will be interesting to see how much of a role the hybrid version will play in Camry sales.

The previous Camry owed much of its market success to the well-priced hybrid and it’s hard to see why fleet buyers – particularly taxi operators – won’t continue turning their attention this way. With the slightly bigger interior and the new underfloor battery location that enables virtually regular-sedan load capacities – and the fact that the SL-spec hybrid is only $1000 more expensive than its conventional equivalent – the choice would seem to be a no-brainer.

The just-reviewed, regular SL Camry, in every way, is entirely competent but why wouldn’t you spend a tiny bit more to get the hybrid experience?

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Where does it fit?

Lined up against the likes of Holden’s Commodore – once a size above, but now in its peer group – the Mazda6 and Ford Mondeo, the Camry 2.5 SL is a tidy fit.

As a family car it is well-credentialed and, coming with Toyota’s long-held reputation for reliability and strong residual values, as well as its previous absolute market segment dominance, it is impossible to ignore.If you want something more emotional, then you’ll most likely turn towards Commodore, Mondeo or Mazda6 but if you want bank-vault solidity and unquestioned reliability, then there’s probably no better place to go.

So, what do we think?It’s pretty clear what today’s Camry line-up has to offer. On top of the fact it does nothing badly – or particularly well for that matter – there’s the safety in numbers this medium-size family sedan represents.It’s probably the best bet in the segment for various reasons and it doesn’t do anything that will disappoint your average new-car buyer.

How much does the 2018 Toyota Camry SL 2.5 cost?
Price: $39,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 135kW/235Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.3L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 194g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

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