2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Which of the new 2018 Toyota Camry models should I buy I might hear you ask?  If money wasn’t an option then I would suggest you take a good long look at the new Toyota Camry Hybrid SL which has so much going for it and is a great choice when compared to other hybrid cars in its class – which might not be that many – depending on what you call a Camry rival.

Just what does rival the new Toyota Camry Hybrid sedan?  It’s a well-priced, roomy mid-to-large sedan with comfortable seating and good luggage space (524 litres).  What comes close in this price range ($30-40k)?  Not a lot really.  There will be, however, a new Honda Accord Hybrid sedan available later this year in Australia and will probably price comparatively to the Camry – perhaps slightly dearer, we shall see.

You could buy a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for a bit more dough than a Camry, and there are other cars like the Tesla Model S, Infiniti Q50 and Q70 Hybrid, and new Volvo Hybrids, but these are in a luxury league that costs way more than the humble Camry sedan.  A smaller Honda Civic Hybrid sedan is currently offered for similar money, but word is out that this model will be canned shortly for the bigger Accord Hybrid – as mentioned above.  You actually have to look at the Toyota Prius Hybrid as a genuine competitor.  This is a good car with smaller dimensions, – but it does offer more luggage carrying ability.  There is also the Corolla Hybrid.  So currently, the Toyota Camry looks the ‘meal deal’ for a large Hybrid sedan in Australia.

Push the button and the new Hybrid Camry whisks into life.  The 2.5-litre hybrid engine will produce 131 kW at 5700 rpm and 221 Nm of torque at 5200 rpm (up by about 13kW/10Nm over the outgoing model).  It is paired with a CVT auto which does its job well.  The electric motor can actually add as much as 88 kW to the power train, but maximum power from both the electric motor and petrol engine is never available together.  If you do get sucked into enjoying the Sport mode a bit too much and find yourself running short of electric energy, then the 60-litre fuel tank which takes 95RON fuel is happy to oblige.  The transition from electric-to-petrol and petrol-to-electric motion is instant and seamless – the only change is an audible note where power delivery comes from the conventional petrol motor which emits sound.  Toyota claims an impressive 4.2-litres/100 km on the combined cycle where both the petrol and electric motors are used.  Also impressive is that the emissions are generally kept below 100g/km of CO₂.

On the road the Hybrid Camry handling is safe and secure, while the cabin is well insulated from wind and road noise.  The car has good brakes for emergency stops and comes with several advanced safety features, including a pre-collision warning system, lane departure warning with steering assist, and adaptive cruise control.  These are standard features on the three models available: Ascent, Ascent Sport and SL.  Other excellent safety items include: Siri Eyes Free, Bluetooth communications hands-free, a rear-view camera, adaptive cruise control, and the Toyota Safety Sense suite – which includes a pre-collision warning system, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning systems.  Some other safety options that can be bought are head-up display, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and a surround-view camera.  There are four driving modes to choose from (EV, Eco, Normal, and Sport) that will affect the car’s driving dynamics and fuel consumption.

2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Some of the cool techie features you might be interested in are items like the new Infotainment system with Bluetooth and satellite navigation functions via touchscreen or steering wheel mounted controls.  Standard features in the 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid include dual-zone automatic climate control, a USB port, the Entune Infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen and Siri Eyes Free. You can also upgrade to an Entune infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen and the Entune App Suite.  Other upgrades include: a moonroof, satellite radio, a nine-speaker JBL audio system, and an on-board Wi-Fi hot spot function.

Ascent Camry Hybrids come with pleasant cloth/synthetic upholstery, heated front seats, and power-adjustable front seats.  If you like a more modern feel with a touch of luxury, then the real premium leather upholstery is available on SL variants.

Like most midsize sedans, the new Camry Hybrid comes standard with FWD.  For commuting and most duties it is a really nice handler with plenty of grip.  You wouldn’t put it in the sportiest driving category, however.  Mazda’s 6 is still the benchmark FWD handler, and the Camry Ascent Hybrid has a ‘wee-ways’ to go before matching the 6.  New Toyota Camry Ascent Sport Hybrid models get pretty close, though.

2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota covers the 2018 Camry Hybrid with a three-year/100,000 km powertrain warranty and an eight-year/160,000 km warranty for hybrid components.  The 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid model series includes the:

• Camry Ascent Hybrid
• Camry Ascent Sport Hybrid
• Camry SL Hybrid

For any more information on the new 2018 Toyota Camry models or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Toyota dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours.  Private Fleet – car buying made easy!