10 Toyota Camry Competitors to Consider

2018 Toyota Camry XLE ・ Photo by Toyota

The Toyota Camry is a perennial bestseller with pricing, styling and features designed to appeal to the masses. It’s all-new for the 2018 model year and sheds much of its ho-hum styling in favor of a sporty, modern look. It also boasts no less than seven trim levels and even three hybrid variants, so there’s bound to be a version of the Camry perfect for your needs and your budget.

Pricing starts at $23,645 with standard features including Toyota Safety Sense P. It might be popular, but there are plenty of other choices if you’re in the market for a family car. Here are 10 Toyota Camry alternatives to consider when you’re shopping for a mid-size sedan.

2018 Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is also all-new for the 2018 model year with a wider, lower stance and three new powertrains including the Accord’s first-ever turbocharged engines. There’s a new 10-speed automatic transmission on select trims and a new hybrid powertrain. The Accord features standard Honda Sensing with a suite of advanced safety features and a wide range of trims. Choose from seven gas-powered trims or five hybrid trim levels.

Available features include an 8-inch infotainment display, 4G LTE, and a 6-inch head-up display. Pricing on the Honda Accord ranges from $23,570 for the base LX with a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder up to $35,800 for the well-equipped Touring with the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and the new 10-speed automatic transmission.

Photo by Honda

2018 Hyundai Sonata

The Hyundai Sonata is an affordable mid-size sedan with pricing starting at just $22,050 for the base SE up to $31,900 for the Limited 2.0T. There’s a total of six trims available with two additional hybrid trims. There are three available powertrains, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder with 245 horsepower designed to appeal to driving enthusiasts.

Its affordability means features are limited on base trims, but once you reach the middle of the range, comfort features like 10-way power seats with heat, SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connectivity become standard. An optional safety package also makes an appearance mid-range, with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, electronic parking brake and smart cruise control for $1,000.

Photo by Hyundai

2018 Chevrolet Malibu

The Chevrolet Malibu offers attractive styling that’s more traditional rather than following the current trend of making sedans look like sports cars. It’s refreshing and appealing, and it comes with a low starting price of only $21,680 for the base Malibu L. The trim range isn’t quite as extensive as what you’ll find with competitors. There are four trims available with a gas engine and only one option if you’re thinking of going with a hybrid.

Pricing stays affordable right up to the top Premier, which comes in at $31,895. Standard features include power-adjustable side mirrors, halogen projector-beam headlamps, remote keyless entry, tilt and telescopic steering wheel and a 6-speaker audio system.

Photo by General Motors

2018 Mazda Mazda6

The Mazda Mazda6 is a sporty sedan that targets driving enthusiasts who enjoy spending time behind the wheel. It has elegant styling that leans toward luxury sports cars, but without the accompanying price tag. The Mazda6 is available in five trims starting with the base Sport at $21,950, with standard features including dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector.

The top Signature trim sees pricing rise to $34,750 with a truly stunning interior. It features Nappa leather-trimmed sport seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, heated front and rear seats, and Ultrasuede door and dashboard trims that make it worth the price.

Photo by Mazda

2018 Kia Optima

The Kia Optima focuses on affordability without skimping on quality. There are five trims starting with the base LX at $22,600, and standard features including a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and a 6-speaker audio system. Blind spot detection, lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert also are standard, with available forward collision warning, lane departure warning and advanced smart cruise control available on higher trims only.

The top SX trim features a still-affordable price of $30,600, and standard features including steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, sport steering wheel, dual charging USB ports, LED interior lighting and sport leather seat trim.

Photo by Kia

2018 Ford Fusion

The Ford Fusion is a tech-savvy choice available in five trims starting with the base S at $22,215, and topping out with the Platinum at $36,990. In addition, there are four hybrid trims and three hybrid plug-in choices, ensuring there’s a Fusion for every buyer. Standard features on the Fusion S include tilt and telescopic steering wheel, push button start, remote trunk release and SYNC voice recognition.

Once you get to the Platinum, you’re in for a luxury experience. There’s a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, heated and cooled front seats with leather surfaces, leather-wrapped steering wheel, SYNC 3 with a 12-speaker audio system, enhanced active park assist, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection and a power moonroof.

Photo by Ford

2018 Subaru Legacy

The Subaru Legacy is the more rugged choice of mid-size sedans with five trim levels, each with all-wheel drive to take you through rough weather or more bumpy terrain. Pricing starts at $22,195 for the 2.5i and climbs to $31,945 for the 3.6R Limited, which makes the Legacy a more affordable choice than many competitors. Standard features across the lineup include steering wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control, 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The top trim comes with not only a more powerful engine than base models, but also a wider range of standard features. These include a 10-way power driver’s seat, heated front and rear seats, leather seat trims and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Photo by Subaru

2018 Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima is a roomy mid-size sedan available in seven trim levels, starting with the base 2.5 S at a price of $23,260. Standard features on the base model include Siri Eyes Free, Bluetooth, push button start, cruise control, and a tilt and telescopic steering column. There’s also forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking even on the base trim.

The top 3.5 SL piles on the features for a price of $33,630 with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 7-inch color infotainment screen, voice recognition for audio and navigation, auto-dimming rearview mirror, intelligent cruise control and dual-zone automatic temperature control. There’s also additional safety features with blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.

Photo by Nissan

2018 Volkswagen Passat

The Volkswagen Passat is offered in seven trim levels starting with the Passat S at $22,995. It comes standard with a 5-inch color touchscreen, CD player and Bluetooth streaming audio. It also has available forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, and blind spot monitor, which lets you get an affordable base model with safety features often reserved only for more expensive trims.

Sitting at the top is the V6 SEL Premium with a more powerful engine and a starting price of $34,650. It also has a more fully featured interior, with heated leather front seats, 8-way power driver’s seat and dual-zone automatic climate control, along with standard forward collision warning with emergency braking, blind spot monitor and lane departure warning.

Photo by Volkswagen

2018 Toyota Avalon

It seems unfair to put another Toyota on the list, but the Avalon is a solid alternative to the Camry. Think of it as the Camry’s fancier sibling. It’s available in five trims, starting with the base XLE at $33,500 and topping out with the Limited at $41,300. There also are three hybrid trims. Pricing is higher on the Avalon when compared to the Camry, but it also offers a more luxurious interior, even on base models.

There’s dual-zone automatic climate control, Entune Audio Plus with a 7-inch high resolution touchscreen, cruise control, leather-trimmed steering wheel with paddle shifters and leather-trimmed heated front seats. Toyota fans who want a bit more than the Camry will be pleased with what the Avalon has to offer.

Photo by Toyota