Chicago Sun-Times

Best looking Camry ever offers many trims

- BY JOHN STEIN For the Sun- Times

Never underestim­ate Toyota and certainly never doubt the Camry. That’s been a safe statement for more than 30 years and, since it has been a best- selling midsize sedan for more than 15 years, there’s little reason to assume change.

Yet, Toyota delivers an all- new Camry that is without doubt the best- looking design it has ever offered for the sedan. The Japanese automaker says the Camry is full of new innovation­s from its entertainm­ent interface to the award- winning safety features.

There’s been one reason to buy a Camry that seemed to top any other – the reliabilit­y ratings that set the bar for everyone else, to start. The Toyota brand, and Camry, are notably durable and have few issues over decades of developmen­t.

Many Variables

Toyota offers 10 variations of the Camry in 2018. Look for three distinct powertrain­s, two transmissi­ons and starting prices that range fromthe base L at $ 24,380 up to $ 35,835 for the XSEV6.

The options are not limited to the gaspowered versions of the Camry, there are three hybrid trim levels: HV LE at $ 28,685, HV SE at $ 30,385, and HV XLE at $ 33,235.

Cabin Comforts

The 2018 Camrymaint­ains its reputation for interior craftsmans­hip, fit and finish quality. The cabin ranges from standard cloth to posh leather options. This is a very comfortabl­e seating position and my tester provided power adjustment­s.

While therewas some noticeable engine noise penetratin­g the interior spaces, itwas easily covered with the outstandin­g audio system. It never reached a level that was annoying. Outstandin­g seat support makes it easy to take the Camry on a longdistan­ce trip. The back seats have plenty of head and knee room, and the center- rear position, despite a hard cushion and floor hump, can still handle an adult.

Dash treatment for the Camry is attractive and contempora­ry, with distinct nighttime back lighting that assists with discerning important gauges.

Safety

Toyota’s Safety Sense is standard and includes a pre- collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, brake hold, hill start assist, and automatic headlight high beams. Other safety equipment, such as blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert with automatic braking, is standard onmore expensive trim levels.

Engine Options

There are four trim levels with hybrid, 4- cylinder andV6 powertrain­s. The Camry’smost popular engine is a 2.5- liter 4- cylinder that kicks out 203 horsepower and 184 lb.- ft. of torque. This engine is very capable of moving the 3,296- lb sedan around town or down the highway with great confidence.

Impressive numbers are associated with Camry, especially given its size. Look for city/ highway/ combined fuel consumptio­n at 28/ 39/ 32 mpg. For customers who demand a bit more‘ lively’performanc­e, Toyota has a Camry S version, which offers a stiffer suspension, tighter steering and amore aggressive transmissi­on.

All gas- engine models get front- wheel pull through an 8- speed automatic transmissi­on, which can be manually shifted, with steering wheel paddles on Smodels. Hybrids use a smooth gear- driven continuous­ly variable automatic transmissi­on ( CVT).

The steering is precise, with a good on- center feel. Along with the Camry’s new double wishbone independen­t rear suspension system, it contribute­s to capable handling on twisting roads.

The LE trim, which pushed the base price up an additional $ 3,800, is well worth the price of admission as audio, interface and navigation options make the jump easily a value inmy book. ToplineV6 power is a noticeable luxury at $ 35,800- plus, but this is a big sedan that can always use some extra ponies under the hood and if you can afford the jump, you will enjoy the extra

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