Toyota Camry: easily the best Camry ever

The iconic Toyota Camry has long been known for its reliability, safety, comfortable ride . . . and blandness. But the latest version, completely redesigned for 2018, aims to add some excitement to the mix. 

The Camry's most apparent changes are the flaring lines and creases in its sheet metal and its sleeker, more aggressive grille and headlights. The cabin exudes a near-luxury feel, especially in XLE trim. The interior is spacious, with ample headroom and legroom front and rear, a nicely laid-out dashboard, straightforward instrumentation and gauges, good visibility, and comfortable, supportive seats. Trunk space is no longer compromised by the battery pack, which now resides under the backseat. 

For responsive driving, the sport-tuned SE is the best trim choice. Its precise, well-weighted steering, minimal body roll, and decent power produce a satisfying driving experience. Ride quality is comfortable though firm, and the cabin is quiet. Toyota's Safety Sense P suite of advanced safety features (forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and so on) is standard. 

Oh, and the Camry is pretty fuel efficient, too—32 mpg in combined city/highway driving for most 4-cylinder models. And the Camry Hybrid gets as much as 52 mpg combined—right up there with the Toyota Prius. 

Nits to pick? The infotainment system is unintuitive and somewhat dated, blind-spot warning isn't standard, and the brakes can be a little grabby at speeds under 10 mph. But, overall, the Camry remains one of the top choices in midsize sedans.