Overview
TOYOTA has launched its seventh-generation Camry into Australian dealerships this week, the three-variant and all-hybrid mid-sized sedan arriving as a serious facelift of the outgoing mannequin, with Toyota’s fifth-generation hybrid driveline expertise becoming a member of freshened seems to be, a refined chassis, revised expertise and the newest security tools (backed by a five-star ANCAP security score).
Pricing will increase to mirror what can finest be described as a “very important improve”, the 2025 Toyota Camry carrying over the identical platform as its predecessor, acquainted front-door structure and little or no else.
The vary now begins from $39,990 plus on-road prices in base Ascent kind, rising via $42,990 + ORC for the Ascent Sport and $53,990 + ORC for the flagship SL.
The pricing represents a $4939 enhance over the entry worth of the outgoing (petrol-powered) Ascent and a $2073 enhance over the sixth-generation Ascent Hybrid. The Ascent Sport Hybrid grade will increase by $2273 and the SL $2573. The Camry SX Hybrid is deleted from the vary.
Toyota’s robust promoting Camry continues to vie with the exxy Honda Accord (from $57,900 drive-away), single-variant Hyundai Sonata N-Line (from $55,500 + ORC), dated Mazda 6 (from $36,290 + ORC), and Skoda Octavia (from $42,490 drive-away) – and stays Australia’s best-selling Medium passenger automotive.
Powering the vary, Toyota’s 2.5-litre petrol-electric driveline delivers what it claims are enhancements in driveability and gasoline effectivity, shaving as much as 11 per cent from the gasoline invoice of the outgoing mannequin. The official Mixed cycle quantity is listed at 4.0 litres per 100km with CO2 emissions of 91 grams per kilometre.
Complete system energy will increase by 10kW to 170kW compared with the outgoing Camry, generated via the mix of a 138kW/221Nm four-cylinder petrol engine and 100kW/208Nm everlasting magnet synchronous motor – each driving the entrance wheels through a constantly variable transmission.
Trip and dealing with enhancements arrive courtesy of retuned MacPherson strut entrance and multi-link rear suspension to offer what Toyota says are “extra partaking dealing with traits, with out affecting trip consolation”.
The electrical steering rack has likewise been retuned with speed-sensitive help offering a “lighter and extra direct steering really feel and responsiveness”, says Toyota. The setup is accompanied by a newly developed electrical brake management system that employs an energetic hydraulic booster to boost brake really feel and optimise kinetic power restoration.
Whereas the brand new Camry sits on the identical TNGA-Ok platform as its predecessor, with an an identical 2825mm wheelbase, the automotive’s exterior makeover has resulted in an extended entrance overhang, extending the automotive’s general size by 35mm compared with its predecessor.
The entrance and rear styling is outlined by Toyota’s daring Hammer Head design idea with its useful and trendy aerodynamic components, whereas in profile the character traces that converge on the rear, together with a extra tapered rear roofline, give the brand new Camry a “distinctively dynamic look”.
The brand new-look design continues inside with what the importer says is a “refined cabin that includes a sculpted sprint and door trims that create a seamless move”.
Inside highlights embrace digital instrumentation displayed on both 7.0-inch or 12.3-inch screens, relying on the grade, Toyota’s latest-generation multimedia system that includes cloud-based satellite tv for pc navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with both 8.0-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment shows, once more relying on grade.
Function and tools highlights for the entry-grade Ascent embrace 17-inch alloy wheels, fabric upholstery, dual-zone local weather management and LED daytime working, head- and tail-lights.
The mid-range Ascent Sport provides high-grade LED lighting and LED fog lights, an eight-way energy adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar assist, wi-fi smartphone charger and a bigger 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen show.
Lastly, the flagship SL is differentiated by 18-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, rear facet and again privateness glass and heated facet mirrors with reverse and reminiscence perform.
Inside, Camry SL options leather-accented upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, eight-way energy adjustable entrance passenger seat, entrance seat heating and air flow, a heated steering wheel with energy adjustment and a nine-speaker JBL audio system.
Throughout the vary we additionally discover the newest security package utilized with the brand new Camry boasting the total suite of Toyota’s Security Sense energetic security applied sciences.
Upgrades for the brand new Camry embrace improved highway consumer detection and energetic cruise management parameters and the addition of recent performance throughout the vary together with blind spot monitor, rear cross visitors alert, emergency driver assist system and secure exit help.
The brand new Camry is obtainable with a 12-month complimentary subscription to Toyota Linked Companies offering what Toyota says is a “vary of welcome advantages to prospects via the Camry’s inbuilt information communication module”.
Toyota backs the Camry vary with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre assure together with 5 years of capped-price servicing, unfold over 12-month or 15,000km intervals at a worth of $255 per service.
The brand new-generation Camry vary is accessible with the selection of eight exterior colors consisting of Eclipse Black, Frosted White, Glacier White, Jasper Crimson, Liquid Mercury, Treasured Bronze, Saturn Blue, and Silver Pearl.
Driving Impressions
Sedan patrons appear to face a shrinking market with every passing 12 months; and with SUV gross sales towering over these of the standard four-door it’s hardly stunning.
However the excellent news is that sedan patrons have some good choices out there within the Aussie market, not least of all the brand new Toyota Camry.
Camry and good in the identical sentence, I hear you ask. Unequivocally, sure. Briefly, the Camry is a terrific drive bolstered by improved dealing with, a robust but environment friendly driveline, extra spacious cabin, and polished human-machine interface.
If that’s not sufficient, it additionally presents a few of the finest ADAS applied sciences we’re but to expertise – and simply what number of automobiles have you ever heard us say that about in latest occasions?
On the highway, it seems like Camry has torn off the cardigan and donned a Lycra physique go well with. It has plentiful energy – particularly for overtaking – delivered easily to the entrance wheels. The on-off sensation of the petrol-electric swap-over is a factor of the previous, the refined motion of the two.5-litre engine a powerful addition to the newest spherical of modifications.
What’s extra spectacular is that the Camry delivers this energy effectively. With out making an attempt, and with the dual-zone local weather zone in operation, we managed a powerful common of two.9 litres per 100km on the highway-biased launch drive. A part of us would dearly like to take the Camry on an effectivity run and see simply what it’s able to, however a sub-three-litre result’s nothing to smell at.
The improved suspension package deal shines on twisty, pockmarked nation roads, the smaller wheel and tyre mixture including to a snug trip that fits the automobile’s orientation to a tee. Positive, it would lack the overtly direct steering of its European rivals (assume Skoda Octavia), however with so many Camrys doing responsibility within the rideshare enterprise we expect the setup may be simply the ticket.
The Camry is impressively straightforward to manoeuvre and park, the decision of the digital camera system welcomed in close-confine conditions. Not like different hybrids we’ve sampled in latest occasions, the Camry can be fast to alter from Reverse to Drive (or vice-versa), which is helpful for these occasions the turning circle isn’t fairly tight sufficient.
Highway noise and cabin consolation is a spotlight, with the Camry bordering on Lexus ES ranges of hush. Positive, the engine is usually a little raspy when pushed and there’s a flourish of wind noise from the wing mirrors, however for a $40K automotive we expect the stability is outstanding. Once more, not a phrase you’d usually affiliate with a Toyota Camry…
Toyota additionally seems to have nailed the combo of exhausting buttons and touchscreen tabs. The whole lot you want in common use is helpful to the contact, whereas the on-screen menus provide a thought-about different for options you may use solely a few times a day. The HMI is straightforward to navigate and presents adequate personalisation for almost any consumer.
Personal patrons will love the SL variant’s nine-speaker audio system – even when the step as much as the mannequin is slightly on the expensive facet.
As is typical of Toyota fashions, the Camry’s HVAC system did nicely to handle a steady cabin temperature. We’ve discovered many local weather management techniques are likely to let the temperature slide earlier than making a big (and sometimes noisy) correction, however not the Camry’s. Sure, generally it’s the little issues that make all of the distinction.
For us, one other of these ‘little issues’ is the well-proportioned brake pedal. The sudden change in vacuum strain created when switching from petrol to electrical energy has plagued the pedal really feel of Camry’s previous, typically making a jerky cease for passengers. The brand new system alleviates that subject, offering a progressive and well-metered pedal that provides easy chauffer-smooth stops. Uber drivers, you’re on discover – there aren’t any extra excuses for improper stops.
Whereas the ‘Aussie’ Camry mightn’t get all of the bells and whistles from abroad, it’s nonetheless a superb automotive for the cash and presents each the on-road and aftersales items to make sure a protracted and joyful possession expertise.
If you happen to’re not a fan of SUVs and have beforehand considered the Camry as ‘too pedestrian’, then get to a Toyota dealership and take a take a look at drive for your self. We expect you’ll be simply as impressed as we’re.
