Toyota’s New Camry – Not boring, and No CVT! [NAIAS Video]

2018_toyota_camry_xse_02

Although the current-generation Toyota Camry isn’t a bad car – and it could even be moderately sporty – the new 2018 model, which debuted at the 2017 North American International Auto Show, is out to obliterate its boring reputation.

The new Camry’s styling is bold and daring, two adjectives not normally used when talking about Toyota’s volume leader. Looking a little bit like a Lexus, with some similarities to other good looking sedans like the Kia Optima and Nissan Maxima, the new Camry is longer and lower with a more athletic stance.

While the front end doesn’t look exactly like the Lexus trademark grille, the general outline is still there, and it definitely implies the same shape. The coupe-like roofline is black in the photos Toyota provided, with a little more black on the hybrid model.

Inside, the interior looks very much Toyota. Hints of the current car are there, but it really looks a lot like an updated Avalon interior, which is a good thing – the current-generation Avalon has one of the company’s best dashboards, Lexus included.

More big news is under the hood, as the new Camry gets three new powertrains – a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 3.5-liter V-6 with D-4S fuel injection, and a 2.5-liter hybrid. Toyota hasn’t released power or fuel economy numbers.

The best news for those who enjoy driving is the fact that, for all Camrys except the hybrid, there will be no CVT as in other competitors like the Honda Accord or Subaru Legacy. Instead, they get an all-new 8-speed automatic with a lockup torque converter on gears three through eight for quicker shifting.

2018_toyota_camry_xse_int_02

The 2018 Camry rides on Toyota’s new TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform that’s also underneath the new Prius. It’s more structurally rigid than the current model, and should equate to better driving dynamics.

Technology-wise, the Camry gets all the safety gadgets in all current Toyotas, but unfortunately it doesn’t get Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Instead, it gets the next generation of Entune, with navigation and their own app suite.

Pricing hasn’t yet been announced, but the Kentucky-built 2018 Camry should be in Toyota showrooms by late summer.

Stay tuned to TFLcar for the latest updates from Detroit and check out the full video below.