Does the All-new Camry Manage to Impress?

The Toyota Camry is a car that needs little introduction. One of the most successful sedans in the world over the decades, the Camry has enjoyed unparalleled popularity worldwide for its reliability and no-nonsense nature. The flagship Toyota saloon has done so well in the hybrid segment that when the eighth generation of the Camry was launched, Toyota sold more cars than they expected. The demand for this efficient and hardworking sedan is so high that we could not contain our excitement to find out whether this model actually lives up to the expectations its predecessors have set.

 Of course, that is not the only talking point. The new Camry is an improvement over the older car in all respects. One look at the exterior and we guarantee that the first words that will cross your mind are “classy” and “elegant”. The twin-grille set-up in the front adds a touch of style, while the tail-lights are sharp and intricate as ever. Toyota has gone bold with the numerous cuts and creases across the bonnet but none of it looks overdone. The beautiful design of the alloy wheels instantly gives off a vibe of class and sturdiness.

Coming to the interiors, the first thing that strikes you about the all-new Camry is that seating position is a bit low. The interior feels plush and luxurious enough to justify the price. The dashboard has a unique Y-shaped design which looks cool. The front seats are powered as well as ventilated. One of the unique touches in this model is the memory function for the driver’s seat, so you don’t need to keep adjusting the seat every time you drive. You also get power-reclining rear seats and powered sunshades with touch-sensitive controls in the rear centre armrest. The 9-speaker JBL audio system gives a whole new meaning to a “fun drive”. Needless to say, the sound quality from this infotainment system is remarkably good. As far as user-friendliness is concerned, the menus are also well laid out and navigation works great. True to the reputation of the Camry, the seats, are supremely comfortable. The front seats offer excellent comfort and they’re designed to make you feel well-rested even in long drives. The leg room is brilliant, and the best part is that should the rear passenger need more, the front seat can be pushed forward by the rear passenger with the help of a couple of buttons placed on the side. The boot space is also huge, which ranks this car pretty high on the practicality list.

Moving on to the make of the car, the 2.5-litre petrol engine comes matched to an electric motor. With this launch, Toyota has made significant changes to the engine such as a longer stroke and high compression ratio and enhanced cooling. The location of the hybrid battery has also been moved from the boot to the area under the rear seat. The powertrain produces a combined 215 HP. The suspension has been tuned for a very smooth ride even on rough roads.

As far as performance is concerned, The Camry Hybrid is one of the most fuel-efficient midsize sedans you can buy. The base model earns an EPA-estimated 51 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway. The upper trim levels are rated at 44/47 mpg city/highway, which will cost the average driver an extra $100 a year in fuel, according to the EPA. The disparity in gas mileage ratings is partly linked to the differences in the type of battery.

Toyota has always been known for its aim to provide customers with a safe and pleasant ride and makes no exceptions on the safety front with this model. It gives 9 airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, ESP and child seat anchorages as standard.

In conclusion, the Camry rivals the Honda Accord Hybrid which is priced significantly higher. If you don’t care particularly about luxury brands or the saloon car tag, and just want to drive around safely for many years, the all-new Camry hybrid is the one to buy.