BUYER'S GUIDE: 2018 Toyota Camry

There are many reasons why the 2018 Toyota Camry is the second biggest bestseller of the company. We can actually think of at least five reasons why, but we can extend way beyond counting on one hand--more like two hands--if we're not busy driving.

But before we start enumerating with our pinky finger here, we need to remind those who are still embarking on the path to car technology nirvana that some of its features are not as easy to learn--at first. Still, that's a small price to pay for owning a 2018 Camry--considering the myriad of features it offers, such as the following:

Exterior

It seems Toyota honored its promise of ending an "era of boring and bland designs," since the Camry doesn't look as dull as it appeared to be when it started way back in 1979.

Still, it's still a bit too conservative for us. There's no "oomph" to make us take a second--or third--look. It looks quite a bit too laid-back for a car that does a great job on the road.  Still, it's authoritative enough to look commanding in some angles, especially when you view it on the side.

Interior

Get inside the Camry and you'll be  welcomed by its luxurious ambiance--particularly its 2.5 V and 2.5 S variants. The seats alone would make you feel like you're in an afternoon tea with the Queen. The seats are not only reclining, but also has lumbar support plus side and vertical adjustment features. The armrest in these two variants are made of wood, with a power sunshade as well.

Height will not be a problem here, since all its variants come with a standard Height-Adjustment Seats + a center pillow. The shift lever and knob also comes in leather with chrome + wood grain features for a more elegant design.

The audio system is impressively WiFi-ready, and has 4G LTE that can connect to up to five devices. It also has an Integrated Type/ Tuner/ Single In-Dash CD Changer/MP3/WMA with AUX + USB. Serious audiophiles can upgrade their factory speakers and replace them with better, more premium ones. That itself will make a whole world of difference, even with this kind of generic audio system.

Safety

Safety is one of the things that make the Camry stand out in a sea of voluminous mid-sized sedans scattered in the market today. It's enough to make you feel safe like a sleeping baby on a manger. Some notable features include:

  • side impact door beams
  • child lock protection
  • window jam protection
  • anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution
  • vehicle stability control
  • emergency brake signal
  • airbags (passenger, driver, side, curtain shield, knee)
  • cruise control
  • vehicle security system
  • clearance and back sonar sensors

Note that all these features come with all variants, so don't think you're losing out even when you buy its base model, the 2.5G. 

Comfort and Convenience

Now, here are the drawbacks with having all those advanced safety features around--they can be challenging to use, since many are quite sensitive at the slightest touch. The infotainment system can also be a bit frustrating to use, especially if it's the first time you're using one.

It's also not as spacious as we'd like it to be--particularly the cabin and the trunk. We even think that subcompact car Honda Fit can outscore it without so much as batting an eyelash. What's more, it isn't as quiet as we'd like it to be, especially when you press on the accelerator.

Still, the Camry offers a type of noise that's really for your own good.  If you're the type of person who tends to forget easily, then it's for you. It's literally a treasure trove of warning signals, from key warning buzzer, door ajar indicator, and seatbelt indicator with buzzer. Hopefully, they won't all activate at the same time.

There's also a 12-V socket in there, so no need to worry about missing out on the latest episode of "Game of Thrones." Air conditioner is automatic-controlled, and weather-challenged drivers will love the automatic rain sensor for the 2.5 V variant. There are also two cup holders at the front and at the back, so you won't feel deprived if watching Daenerys makes you thirsty.

Specification

The Toyota Camry has three variants: The 2.5 V, 2.5 S, and 2.5 G. They all use a Four-cylinder, In-line, 16 Valve, DOHC, Dual VVT-i, and its maximum output is around 178 to 181 hp with 231 Nm of torque. All are Six-speed automatics that use electronic fuel injection.

Our Verdict

We don't need to convince anyone here, since this car doesn't need to make a point to convince everyone that it's a well-rounded, good vehicle through and through. We do have to warn you that it's really expensive for a mid-size sedan--price range is at PHP 1.6 million to PHp 1.9 million. But then again, if money isn't a problem for you, then this vehicle is one of the best options you can add to your bucket list. Just don't forget to read the manual about its safety and infotainment systems twice, thrice--and many times over (just to be sure you're getting everything right ).

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