2018 Camry and Camry Hybrid Official Thread

Don't need a holy grail seat. As mentioned I had a 2017 Hyundai Elantra base model sedan while my '05 Accord having alternator replaced and the Elantra was fine to sit in and drive, no problem here. Also, I have not complained once anywhere about the seat in my 2005 Accord.

I googled 'Accord driver's seat Facebook' and did not see any thread full of complaints. I have said before that the Avalon and Highlander Tourings with extendable and very wide seat cushions are very comfortable, even overdone, but as for Prius, Rav4, Corolla and Camry, I pass.

 

Camry vs Camry Hybrid. Who wins? Spoiler: Camry

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/camry-vs-camry-hybrid

 

Well I wouldn't go that far but, yeah, that was definitely one of those shallow "click-bait" quickie comparo's.

 

The reviewer should edit to say that all production Camry HV's got Full-Speed Range DRCC.

 

The first video induced narcolepsy, the second claims Oz won't get LiOn. If true, I guess the US LE HV buyers got lucky.

 

Don't know what they were thinking at Toyota. The cheap car gets the expensive battery, and the expensive variants get the cheap battery and worse fuel economy. Not a good way to convince me to buy a Camry hybrid. Would love the top end trim with all the options, but not with a nickel battery.

 

it's frustrating, should be options, but not with toyota.

 

Since both batteries have about the same usable capacity, the difference in fuel economy is small. What drags down the fuel economy of the higher trims is the larger, heavier wheels, and higher overall weight.
To maximize the EPA numbers, Toyota put 16in steel wheels on the LE in the US. The base hybrid in Canada gets the 17in alloys that are on the base ICE model, and the MPG rating is lower because of it.

 

I wonder whether the 16" steel wheels really help there, and I suspect it's more about cost - my guess is that the Li-ion battery and 16" steel wheels was slightly more efficient than the NiMH battery and the 17" alloy wheels, but Li-ion and the alloys might be a bit better despite the larger wheel diameter.

 

Fair enough. Interestingly, Toyota Canada lists the same 3472 lb curb weight for the LE as Toyota USA.

 

The 16 inch steel to 17 inch alloy wheel and tire combos could be close in weight to each other. The 17in likely shift more of that weight towards the outer rim. That might have a negative effect on efficiency. The 16in do have narrower tires that will be more efficient with all else being equal. With different tiresreis also likely a difference in rolling resistance aside from the size difference. If maximizing the EPA results was the goal in using the steel wheels, Toyota surely installed the lowest RR tires they could.

 

Of all the LE HV reviews I've seen that mention tires, none had LRR tires, just off the shelf so-called Grand Touring All-Season construction, usually Firestone FT-140's. Maybe they went with GT tires to take advantage of the new chassis and suspension for higher grip limits, something LRR tires aren't known for.

 

Picked up this tidbit from IIHS who includes headlight performance in their safety test criteria.

The Camry HV XLE is the only Toyota currently on sale in the US with an adaptive headlight option. It earned a rare "Good" rating for the headlights and a Top Pick+ for every other test, besting Volvo and Tesla Model S.

It's the first mention I've seen refer to the option as curve-adaptive. Hopefully hill-adaptive as well for help in looking ahead through turns and over crests in roads.

For drivers like me who navigate unlit, narrow mountain roads in rain and snow a good portion of the year, this is exciting news.

Take that, Honda. The new Accord LED headlights test result came up short.

2018 Toyota Camry has improved autobrake

 

Despite the name on the sidewall, the tire from the factory may not be the exact same as the consumer gets to replace it.

Besides, it is the smaller wheel and narrower tire getting most of the efficiency gains.

Anyone note what Toyota recommends for tire pressure between the trims and ICE models?

 

Probably said it before, but the 2018 Camry is positively less roomy in the front than 2018 Accord. Less headroom and Camry A pillars more in way of view. Piercey Toyota service once made excuse that Camry not Toyota's largest sedan, Avalon is whereas Accord is Honda's largest. Not valid excuse since Accord and Camry have same wheelbase and overall length.