5 Reasons Why Toyota's 2018 Camry XLE Impressed Me

I drive an SUV. For as long as I can remember, I've driven one. Why? Well with three children, how else would I fit everything in? 

When Toyota reached out to me and asked if they could loan me a 2018 Camry XLE for a week, I was curious to see how this sedan would hold up to my crazy, hectic, soccer mom kind of life.

Well, today I can genuinely say I'm sad to say goodbye to this Camry who's versatility quickly met my unreasonably high expectations for vehicles. As I reflected on my week with my Toyota, 5 key features stood out as to why the 2018 Toyota Camry XLE, named the "#1 midsize car" had impressed me:

1. Gas Mileage

Let's put it this way, after a few days, I began to suspect the fuel level indicator was broken - it wasn't moving! I can't remember the last time I got 28 mpg in the city and a whopping 39 mpg on the highway. I drove the car everywhere for four days straight and the needle seemed to barely move.  Finally, towards the end of the 5th day, I had used a 1/4 of a tank. By the 7th day, I was barely at the halfway mark and I had driven all over Dallas. That's incredible. For me, fuel efficiency is not only a good way to save money but also, these cars are far less sources of pollutants for our environment.

2. Cargo Space

I was most skeptical about the trunk (cargo) space. I drive an SUV. There is no way a sedan can fit the same amount if not more in its trunk. Well, the Camry with its 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space was able to accommodate five cases of water without having to resort to stacking them on top of one another. Reaching in to take things out of the trunk was very easy and there was no need to move things around to make room. 

3. Interior Luxury

Let's just say, I was impressed. Impressed with the leather-trimmed heated front seats with 8-way power driver and passenger seats, the flow of the control panels, and the user friendly layout of the display monitor. The intuitive design of the middle console and the panoramic glass roof with front power tilt/slide moonroof were added bonuses that made the smooth ride of this sedan even more comfortable.

The convenience of audio Bluetooth phone and voice command along with the wireless smartphone charging made life for this on-the-go realtor a whole lot easier. 

4. Safety Features

What can I say. When it comes to driving these days, I feel you just can't be too safe. Beyond the normal anti-lock brakes we have all become accustomed to, the 2018 Toyota Camry XLE provides an array of additional safety features such as the Star Safety System which has the enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beams, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and my favorite, the Backup Camera with Dynamic Gridlines in addition to the aerial view of the car.  All of this is augmented by 10 air bags. No wonder why it received the NHTSA's highest 5 Star crash safety rating.

The other feature I would put under safety features vs. luxury amenities is the heads up display.  Being able to see key pieces of information reflected on my windshield versus having to take my eyes off the road, especially in traffic, is a great option that I wish more cars offered.  So helpful. 

5. Value

I think it's safe to say that Toyota's reputation as the "Most Admired" motor vehicle company is a befitting title. It's vehicles' options and performance always reflect Toyota's focus on their consumer base and consistently deliver reliability their customers demand. No wonder why resale prices for these cars are strong.

I can say I really enjoyed my week with the 2018 Toyota Camry XLE. The car's smooth drive and comfort along with the more aggressive look and most importantly, the peppiness despite its frugal fuel usage were key wins for me. 

Hugs, Mama K

One of my favorite features is the wireless smartphone charger.