Toyota goes all-in on Hybrid favourite

This quiet achiever is an Aussie favourite for a good reason.

Toyota’s investment in hybrid tech is paying dividends.

Having outlasted the sportier, headline-grabbing six and eight-cylinder rival sedans from Ford and Holden, the Camry has come into its own as a hybrid-powered sedan that makes sense for a huge number of buyers.

The latest model even looks reasonably attractive thanks to Toyota’s latest “Hammer Head” design.

It comes in main trims: the entry-level Ascent starting at $39,990 plus on-road-costs (about $45,000 drive-away), the mid tier, Ascent Sport at $42,990 plus on-roads (about $48,000 drive-away), and the top of the line Camry SL for $53,990 plus on-roads (about $59,000 drive-away).

All three are powered by Toyota’s 2.5 litre four-cylinder hybrid engine which delivers a combined 170kW of power.

2024 Toyota Camry Ascent. Picture: Supplied

Forget about acceleration or lap times, engine sizes or power figures - the Camry’s bragging point is its claimed fuel economy - just 4.0L/100km. Less than half what you could expect from an old V6.

Out test drive returned impressive real-world consumption of 4.8L/100km in urban and rural environments. Factor in servicing priced from $255 per year and the result is an impressively thrifty machine.

Stepping inside, the Camry feels familiar but yet slightly redefined.

Toyota stuck with a clean and modern design that’s functional rather than flashy.

The cabin is comfortable, spacious and filled with practical features.

Supportive seats are perfect for long drives, although I did notice a small flaw in terms of road noise, particularly at higher speeds.

It’s not a deal-breaker, but overall for a vehicle in this price range, it remains relatively quiet.

The entry-level Ascent comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, dual climate control, a 8-inch touch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Toyota Safety Sense.

2024 Toyota Camry Ascent comes with an 8-inch touchscreen display. Picture: Supplied

While the Ascent Sport steps it up with a sportier styling with high grade LED headlights, a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, smartphone charging and an 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support.

The top-tier SL includes 18-inch alloy wheels, heated and ventilated front seats, heated mirrors, a panoramic roof, leather-accented upholstery, 9 speaker JBL sound system and advanced technology like head up display.

The 8-inch touchscreen display on the Ascent model and the larger 12.3-inch screen on the Ascent Sport and SL variants are intuitive and easy to use. They also feature wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Tech includes smart keys, dual-zone climate control, and wireless charging, as well as a digital instrument cluster.

2024 Toyota Camry Ascent Sport offers a functional middle console with several USB-C ports, wireless charging station, two cup holders and a generous centre console. Picture: Supplied

Toyota is known for packing its vehicles with safety technology, and the Camry comes with a suite of features including pre-collision system, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure alert, and road sign recognition, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and a reversing camera.

Unlike many alternatives, the safety features weren’t overwhelming with constant alerts.

Behind the wheel, the Camry offers three driving modes - Normal, Eco and Sport.

I found myself using the Eco mode to optimise fuel consumption, which fits the car’s character. Sport mode is a nice idea, but let’s be honest, you’re not driving a sports car.

Instead, the Camry offers a dependable driving experience with predictable responses to driver input.

It’s quiet, reliable and efficient.

Toyota has mastered the hybrid art to the point where you don’t think about the drive line kicking over from electric to petrol power, or the brakes switching between electric regeneration and conventional friction stopping.

It simply works seamlessly.

The 2024 Toyota Camry is a solid choice for anyone looking for a mid-sized sedan. It’s reliable, comfortable and efficient. It gets the job done without fuss.