Toyota Camry 2018 pricing and specification confirmed

Toyota Australia introduced its Japanese-built eighth-generation Camry this week, with the nine-variant mid-size sedan line-up retaining sharp pricing despite a generous increase in standard equipment.

Offered with the choice of three powertrains – four-cylinder, hybrid and V6 – the Camry is available across four grades – Ascent, Ascent Sport, SX and SL.

The entry-level Ascent and Ascent Sport grades can be paired with either the four-cylinder or hybrid powertrains, while the mid-range SX is mated to either the four-cylinder or V6. Meanwhile, the flagship SL can be specified with all three powertrains.

Starting from $27,690 (up $1200) before on-road costs, the four-cylinder Ascent comes loaded with auto emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, high beam assist, adaptive cruise control, seven airbags, reversing camera, 17-inch alloy wheels, auto-levelling LED headlights, LED tail-lights, LED daytime running lights (DRLs), 4.2-inch multi-function display, fabric upholstery, 7.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, 'Toyota Link' connectivity, a six-speaker sound system and an electronic park brake.

Following the end of Toyota's Australian car manufacturing operation in Victoria this year, the Japanese carmaker moved to import the Camry's successor from its home country.

The $29,990 (down $500) hybrid Ascent further adds dual-zone climate control and keyless entry/start.

Stepping up to the four-cylinder ($29,990, down $200) or hybrid ($31,990, down $1200) Ascent Sport increases specification to sports front grille (matt), rear bumper and side skirts; premium steering wheel and gear shifter, stainless-steel scuff plates, front and rear parking sensors, LED glove box light, 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, satellite navigation and a power driver's seat.

The four-cylinder ($33,290, down $200) and V6 ($37,290, down $6700) SX raise the stakes with paddle shifters, high-grade LED head- and tail-lights, sports suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels and wireless phone charging.

Alternatively, the SL grade adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, 18-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof (four-cylinder and V6), moonroof (hybrid), ambient interior lighting, power tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, driver's seat memory function, auto-dimming rearview mirror, 10-inch head-up display, power front passenger's seat, ventilated front seats and rain-sensing wipers to the Ascent Sport's equipment level.

The SX and SL both also pick up a high-gloss front grille, rear bootlid spoiler and leather-accented seats.

Checking in at $39,990 (up $2550) in four-cylinder form, $40,990 (up $550) as a hybrid and $43,990 (down $6450) in V6 guise, the range-topping SL provides a strong value proposition.

Premium paints costs $450, while a panoramic sunroof can be added to SX variants for $1950.

Four-cylinder Camrys are motivated by a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which produces 133kW (Ascent) or 135kW (SX, SL) of power at 6000rpm and 231Nm (Ascent) or 235Nm (SX, SL) of torque at 4100rpm, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

It claims a fuel consumption figure of 7.8 (Ascent) to 8.3 (SX, SL) litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle test, with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions ranging between 181 (Ascent) and 194 (SX, SL) grams per km.

Hybrid variants combine a 131kW/221Nm version of the four-cylinder with an 88kW/202Nm electric motor for a combined system power output of 160kW. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) sends drive to the front wheels.

Drinking 4.2L/100km (Ascent, Ascent Sport) to 4.5L/100km (SL), petrol-electric Camrys emit between 96g/km (Ascent, Ascent Sport) and 103g/km (SL) of CO2.

Meanwhile, the potent 3.5-litre atmo V6 petrol powerplant pumps out 224kW at 6600rpm and 362Nm at 4700rpm, and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

It sips 8.7L/100km (SL) to 8.9L/100km (SX) of petrol and emits between 197g/km (SL) and 202g/km (SX) of CO2.

Following the end of Toyota's Australian car manufacturing operation in Altona, Victoria this year, the Japanese carmaker moved to import the Camry's successor from its home country.

Will Toyota be able to maintain the Camry's sales momentum with an imported model? Tell us what you think in the comments below.