ONE WEEK REVEALS ONE STRONG SEDAN
2018 Toyota Camry XLE far from ordinary, Calgarian finds during seven-day test drive
When Tim Brandenborg was tasked with driving a 2018 Toyota Camry XLE V-6 for a week, he assumed the car would be nothing more than just a simple, standard sedan. However, this Alberta driver quickly learned that wouldn’t be the case.
“Experiencing the Toyota was an eye-opener for me,” he reports. “It was a lot more car than I expected for something with a Camry label on it.”
Now in its eighth generation, the 2018 Camry is new from the ground up. The Camry is based on Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA), a modular platform that can now be found underpinning several Toyota models, including the C-HR, Prius and Avalon.
With the new Camry, Toyota has reconfirmed its dedication to a driving population who prefer a sedan to a CUV. Instead of going taller, Toyota has redesigned the Camry so it is actually lower than the outgoing model when measured at both the hood and the roofline. This restructuring helps lower the centre of gravity for improved handling.
Some of that new driving confidence is inspired by a new doublewishbone type rear suspension system, and that road-going dynamic is further enhanced by freshly sharpened design features that increase aerodynamics and offer some bold new lines.
“The styling was very aggressive,” Brandenborg notes. “Especially from the front end with that imposing grille. Also, the car looked bigger than I’d anticipated in overall length and it had a nice, low roofline with a panoramic sunroof that was quite eye-catching.”
At six feet tall, Brandenborg says he struggles with some cars to accomplish a graceful entry. He’s happy to report he had no issues getting into the lowered Camry. And once inside, he felt snuggled into a nicely appointed environment he described as cockpit-like.
When shopping for a vehicle, Brandenborg says overall ergonomics and comfort behind the wheel are a priority. The Camry suited him, and he says the car was easy to set up and adjust in terms of the eight-way power seat (plus power lumbar support), mirrors and steering wheel. He says the controls for those items were simple and intuitive. However, for the rest of the technology, such as the dynamic radar cruise control, and how to use it, he says, “You really should study the owner’s manual.”
As a young teenager, Brandenborg first got behind the wheel of a vehicle on a relatives’ farm in Manitoba. After taking driver’s education, though, he did not rush out and buy a car. Rather, he got a Honda CB350 motorcycle, followed by a larger CB750, and these were set up as touring machines.
After the bikes, he bought an Oldsmobile Cutlass and then a Chevrolet Camaro. Ever since, he’s been partial to GM products and currently maintains a 2001 Chevy Tahoe with more than 300,000 kilometres on it, while his wife drives a 2006 Acura TL with just over 100,000 km on it.
“The gas-guzzling SUV is used on the highway as a tow vehicle, and it’s balanced by an economical car for around town,” he says.
What impressed Brandenborg the most about the Camry was the 3.5-litre V-6 engine that’s backed up by an eight-speed automatic transmission. Only two Camry models come equipped with the V-6, the XSE V-6 and the XLE V-6. All other models, from the base L to the XSE feature Toyota’s 2.5-L in-line four-cylinder with double overhead cams. There are also Camry Hybrid models available.
“That was surprising,” Brandenborg says of the V-6’s performance. “The 301 horsepower is very impressive, and I had to go online to find out just what’s under the hood.
“The fuel economy from the V-6 was also great; it’s a case of having your cake and eating it, too.”
While Brandenborg drove the $42,533 all-in (except sales tax) Camry, the car was fitted with snow tires. He says they developed some road noise, but overall the car was quiet.
“It was a sure-footed car in terms of handling,” he says. “It was well planted, it responded well and it cornered flat. Also, the car was nicely suspended. If you hit a bump you’d hear it more than feel it. There was nothing to upset the passengers.”
Overall visibility from the driver’s seat forward and to the sides was good, but Brandenborg mentioned rearward glances in the mirror were somewhat inhibited by a narrow rear window and the back-passenger headrests.
Brandenborg had always thought of head-up display technology as a gimmick, until he tried it in the Camry.
“It’s actually quite effective, as you don’t have to remove your eyes from the road to see vital statistics such as speed, and I became quite accustomed to it,” he says.
The trunk was big, and the rear seats fold forward to accommodate larger loads.
“The car handles four people in exceptional comfort in terms of head and legroom, and there were plenty of storage cubbies to hold personal items,” he says.
“I was kind of sad to give it back. It was very enjoyable to drive, and there was a lot more from a Camry than I’d expected. It was a lot sportier, and a lot more luxurious. I was very impressed.”