With the arrival of the next-generation 2018 Toyota Camry, the midsize sedan class is even more competitive. Complete with a more athletic style, a smorgasbord of updated technology features and an arsenal of brand-new powertrain options, the Toyota Camry checks all the boxes. Take a closer look at the new and improved Toyota Camry in this 2018 Toyota Camry vs 2018 Kia Optima comparison at J. Pauley Toyota.
When the 2018 Toyota Camry arrives later this summer, it will be available in five trim levels – L, LE, XLE, SE and XSE. Longer, lower and lighter than its predecessor, the Toyota Camry is more attractive than ever and with Toyota New Global Architecture incorporated into the design, it is more athletic. To further endear the fan favorite Toyota Camry to car shoppers, the Toyota flagship sedan adds Toyota Entune 3.0 technology that makes a seven-inch touchscreen, Entune App Suite Connect and Connected Navigation standard fixtures. Toyota Safety Sense is an added advantage to families on the go, providing an instant upgrade in safety.
2018 Toyota Camry | VS | 2018 Kia Optima |
$23,495 | Base MSRP | $22,500 |
206-Horsepower 2.5-Liter 4-Cylinder Dynamic Force Engine | Base Engine | 185-Horsepower 2.4-Liter 4-Cylinder |
29 MPG City/41 MPG Hwy | Fuel Economy | 25 MPG City/36 MPG Hwy |
8-Speed Automatic | Transmission | 6-Speed Automatic |
Price is a key factor for any car shopper and is an important piece of the 2018 Toyota Camry vs 2018 Kia Optima puzzle. With a base MSRP that stands at just $23,495, the 2018 Toyota Camry is an affordable fan favorite that promises unrivaled value when you get behind the wheel. Kia Optima models provide a more affordable price tag, yet lack the world-class performance and frugal fuel-economy ratings that make the next-generation Toyota Camry a true automotive masterpiece.
Power and performance are hallmarks of the updated Toyota Camry design that are illustrated by a standard 206-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder Dynamic Force Engine. Married to an all-new Direct Shift eight-speed automatic transmission, the entry-level Toyota Camry engine will achieve an impressive 29 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway – numbers that the Kia Optima simply cannot match.
Upgrade your day-to-day commute with the Toyota Camry's refined 3.5-liter V-6 engine. Equipped with Toyota D-4S direct and port fuel injection, the 3.5-liter V-6 manufactures 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. When paired with the standard Direct Shift eight-speed automatic transmission, the power-packed Toyota Camry will still make 22 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
Kia Optima models counter with a trio of engine options that deliver humdrum power and fuel-economy ratings. Base Kia Optima models feature a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission to make just 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. A 178-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to make 28 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Elite Kia Optima models employ a 245-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-four powertrain that is married to a six-speed automatic to achieve 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
Stay tuned for more information on the 2018 Toyota Camry at J. Pauley Toyota when the next-generation family sedan arrives in Fort Smith this summer!