One car — two critics: thumbs up for Toyota’s fully imported Camry hybrid

Hybrid power and a comprehensive new look add sizzle and personality to Toyota’s imported Camry

The Australian-made Toyota Camry is dead and buried but the switch to an imported Camry has come at the right time, with a complete model change that makes everything new again.

THE PICK-UP

ALI: Mmm, the Camry has never been a favourite of mine. It has always lacked personality, always reminded me of a cake of soap that’s been squeezed only at one end.

PAUL: I think you’re selling the new Camry short.

ALI: Yes, this one looks much sportier. The grille is very chiselled, which makes it much more trendy. Is that the extent of the changes?

PAUL: No, it’s completely new. So a new body and a different approach, which Toyota claims has made the car more enjoyable and refined.

A new body and different approach have made Toyota’s Camry hybrid more refined.

ALI: And it’s not made in Australia these days?

PAUL: No, the Camry factory in Melbourne closed last year. It comes from Japan.

ALI: This one looks like the flagship, with all the safety stuff and even wireless phone charging. But not for my old iPhone.

PAUL: Yes, it’s the SL hybrid and that means $43,888 drive-away. It’s getting pricey, especially when the old locally built car was down to $26,000 on the road last year.

THE BAGGAGE

ALI: This isn’t like other Toyotas. The audio’s excellent and the infotainment screen is big.

PAUL: The interior looks classy. Of course, as it’s the hybrid it’s fully loaded with leather and all the safety gear, including auto safety braking and lane-keep assist.

The new Camry hybrid sports a big infotainment screen.

ALI: The navigation can be trying and you can’t operate it while driving. It tends to tell you off rather than offer options.

PAUL: That’s Toyota, making sure you’re safe and that you stop to fiddle with things.

THE COMMUTE

PAUL: It’s very quiet. It feels more substantial than other Camrys, even in the feedback through the steering. The hybrid set-up works well and I like the amount of time it spends in fully electric mode in stop-start traffic.

ALI: It is nice and easy to drive. I also like how hybrids encourage you to drive sensibly.

The Camry is nice and easy to drive and the hybrid encourages sensible driving.

PAUL: Is that just guilt, or do you really like the package?

ALI: I really notice the difference between the electric power and the petrol engine but I guess that encourages you to not be a lead foot, which I often am.

PAUL: Yes, it’s a bit Jekyll-and-Hyde but that’s something I like. The petrol engine really gives strong overtaking punch.

THE SHOPPING

ALI: The reverse camera is large and clear, so positioning into parking spots is pretty cruisy.

PAUL: It’s a full five-seater with plenty of space. Even compared with the Volkswagen Arteon, which has huge legroom, it’s nice and cushy.

ALI: The boot is quite large but the rear seats are fiddly to put into position so you can have larger items in the car. There’s a big drop down from the lip of the boot into the back of the seat — what’s that about?

PAUL: It’s about packaging the batteries for the electric motor. There is always going to be some sort of compromise, as batteries are effectively a second fuel tank.

THE SUNDAY RUN

PAUL: It’s no sports car but it is good to drive, rides well and has good cornering grip.

ALI: I had a trip up another mountain for another kids’ party. The car was great handling the tight corners and seemed good on fuel.

The Camry handles tight corners with aplomb.

PAUL: It’s very quiet and the overall feel, for me, is more luxurious than previous Camrys.

ALI: The seats aren’t plush but they are comfortable and I really was impressed with the cooler fans in the back of the seats, which are fabulous for hot Aussie summers.

PAUL: You’re spoiled. Me too.

THE FAMILY

ALI: There’s a stack of room inside for all the gear. You won’t need to worry about space.

ELI: The airconditioning is really cool in the back and we fitted a lot of balloons for the party.

ALI: The seat belt warning was overly sensitive, making us undo and redo our seat belts on three occasions before it believed we were strapped in.

PAUL: It works well for us, as well as with some extra youngsters in the back.

ELI: But the centre armrest in the back drops down too much for me and I spilt my drink when Mum was driving fast.

THE TICK

ALI: This is a fantastic family car. Economical, roomy and affordable. Tick from me.

PAUL: No complaints from me, apart from the price. The basics are right and that’s a Tick.

The Camry hybrid gets two ticks from us.

TOYOTA CAMRY SL HYBRID

PRICE From $43,888 drive-away (pricey for a family car)

SERVICE 3 years/100,000km, $195/year for 5 years (excellent deal)

ENGINE 2.5-litre 4-cyl, electric motor, 160kW (better than a Prius)

SAFETY 5 stars, 7 airbags, AEB, lane-keep assist (full suite)

ECONOMY 4.5L/100km (excellent for its size)

SPARE Space-saver (disappointing)

LUGGAGE 524L (fine for a sedan)