There are times when you just want to go on a drive, no where in particular that you need to go, but just want to get out and feel the road. As a mom that is constantly on the go, I often like to take trips alone so that I can clear my head and get some space. It is probably why I jump at the chance to do things like the Texas Auto Writers Spring Roundup, and when I can take one of the vehicles that will be featured at the event along, then sign me up. Driving in the 2018 Toyota Camry SE to Denton, TX gave me the time to really enjoy the drive.
Toyota has been hard at work updating the look of their full line of vehicles from cars to trucks to SUV’s. They are pulling design ques from Lexus with the more chiseled and sporty outer features that makes you feel like you are in more than just a regular sedan. People buy Toyotas for their longevity and reliability, but now they can get them with a more appealing and current look.
When looking at a sedan for a family car, inside legroom and trunk space are at the top of my list of things to check. I was able to sit comfortably in the front driving, while my kids still had plenty of legroom and space for their backpacks on the floor board. And because I take so much gear each weekend for soccer, I had to make sure my wagon(which folds up), our chairs, and the pop up tent all fit in the trunk, which they did. The tent is usually what won’t fit in the trunk of cars, but the Camry had just deep and wide enough of a space to get it in.
Updating the Look
Updating the look of the upcoming Toyota’s goes more than to just the outside. They are adding touches inside as well like these cool textured insets in the door panel. They are also adding wireless charging pads to pretty much all of their vehicle lineup, so if you have one of those newer no wire needed charging phones then you can use the Qi pad, or just use it as a place to put your phone while you are driving.
Safety wise Toyota is putting their Toyota Safety Sense package standard in all vehicles now. One feature I hadn’t seen before is the backseat seat belt notification. The car recognized that my kids were sitting in the back and when they had put their seat belts on or took them off before the car was stopped( yes I saw that Dylan).
A few things I didn’t like about the 2018 Toyota Camry SE is that some of the controls for the radio and air, etc were just a bit too far out of reach. Like when I wanted to search through radio channels since I was driving in a new city, I had to reach too far and it was awkward trying to drive and search. It also would be nice while they are making the outsides look more sporty to update some of their finishes and features of the interior to be of a nicer look and feel. They may have this on some of the higher trim levels, but with the one I was driving at MSRP of $29,600 I would expect just a slightly better feel of some interior features.
Overall the Camry is a nice ride and I applaud Toyota for updating the look of their vehicles to be more current and more widely appealing to a range of audiences. I can’t see what new updates come in the following years with technology and design.
2018 Toyota Camry SE in silver metallic:
- 2.5L Dynamic Force 4-cyl engine
- 6 speed transmission
- Toyota Safety Sense
- Star Safety System
- 10 airbags
- 18″ black machines-finish allow wheels
- Dual chrome tip exhaust
- Entune 3.0 audio system
- Moonroof
- Convenience package
- Blindspot monitoring
Leave a Reply