My companion drove the Toyota Camry SL hybrid examined right here and didn’t wish to give it again. She’s not a automobile particular person, however she is uncovered to extra new vehicles than most – and after I requested her what she thought it was price, she answered with a guess of “about $70,000?”
WATCH: Paul’s video overview of the 2025 Toyota Camry Ascent Sport
Proper. That offers you an thought of how good this new-generation Camry SL ‘HEV’ is, and what it seems like… that’s, it feels far dearer than it’s.
And it’s not low cost. At $53,990 plus on-road prices, it’s the costliest new Camry ever offered in Australia.
So does it actually dwell as much as the value tag? I’ll provide the precise car-person qualified-expert overview, so learn on!
How does the Toyota Camry examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Toyota Camry in opposition to equally sized automobiles.
Toyota
Camry
How a lot does the Toyota Camry value?
All Camry variants within the new-generation vary are petrol-electric hybrids, however Toyota has moved away from ‘hybrid’ because the advertising time period, in direction of the time period ‘HEV’ (for hybrid-electric car), as is widespread in Europe.
However irrespective of which means you have a look at it, the new-generation Camry line-up – slimmer, and HEV-only – is dearer than ever earlier than. It’s additionally higher outfitted, too, particularly on this high-grade SL trim.
Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
---|---|
2025 Toyota Camry Ascent | $39,990 |
2025 Toyota Camry Ascent Sport | $42,990 |
2025 Toyota Camry SL | $53,990 |
To see how the Toyota Camry stacks up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability software
What’s the Toyota Camry like on the within?
It actually seems to be and feels a bit extra particular than the lower-grade variations. I had direct context for that, having jumped from the entry-level Ascent into this flagship SL.
The panoramic glass roof is welcome, and regardless of the very fact it has a structural pillar intersecting the glass, it does add a variety of mild to the cabin. Within the decrease grades, the black headlining could make it really feel a bit gloomy in there.
And whereas the leather-based seat trim is hardly adventurous by way of the ending and trim design, the seats are comfy, simply adjustable, and the motive force’s seat reminiscence settings will likely be welcome for individuals who share with a shorty.
It possibly doesn’t fairly really feel as particular inside as another automobiles for this sort of cash. The finishes are a bit protected, however it’s a Camry, so I assume that’s okay?
The 12.3-inch touchscreen media system is okay, however I’m nonetheless not satisfied it has the perfect menu construction in contrast with rival methods. There are some hidden controls (just like the audio settings, which aren’t the place you’d anticipate them to be), and the very fact the automobile has related companies means there are sometimes ‘Notifications’ popping up, which may be irritating.
For those who’re like me, and also you’re prone to simply depend on wi-fi Apple CarPlay to choose up your telephone every time you get again in, you have to be completely happy. It labored flawlessly for me for every week.
And there’s a bodily quantity knob, in addition to easy steering wheel controls, too.
Beneath the media display screen can be a financial institution of buttons (hallelujah) for local weather controls, seat heating and cooling, and steering wheel heating. I used to be so completely happy that these carried over, and weren’t relegated to an on-screen show.
On the subject of shows, there’s a 12.3-inch driver info display screen that adjustments ‘character’ with the drive mode (crimson for Sport, gray for Regular, and inexperienced for Eco), and in any other case there’s a wealth of data on display screen together with digital speedo, security tech controls and extra.
Cost ports abound, with 5 USB-C jacks throughout the 2 rows, and there’s a wi-fi telephone charger on this high Camry grade.
There may be good storage up entrance, together with massive bottle holders within the doorways, a pair of cupholders which might be nearly excellent for a take-away espresso, and a small caddy alongside the wi-fi cost pad, too.
Backseat house is ample for a six-foot/182cm grownup like me to take a seat behind their very own driving place with cheap foot, knee and headroom. Three throughout could be a contact squeezy as there’s nonetheless a big transmission tunnel in the best way.
There are ISOFIX baby seat anchors within the window seats, and three top-tether factors throughout the parcel shelf. And whereas it’s barely a giant problem, I discovered it very tough to unlatch a seat, due to the form of the attachment level.
Facilities are nice within the second row, with directional air vents, the aforementioned cost factors, map pockets on the seatbacks, and huge door pockets. And there are nicely positioned LED lights within the rear, too.
Now, relating to the Camry’s boot, it’s massive – 524 litres of cargo capability with the rear seats in place, and that’s simply sufficient to cop every week’s price of baggage for a small household.
Nevertheless, if you wish to load longer and wider objects in, you’ll must be aware of the constraints of the cargo space, because it’s not as sensible as a boxy SUV.
It actually made me want the brand new Camry got here as a wagon like these of outdated. It might be a lot extra sensible with a liftback and that additional load peak and width.
Nevertheless, there are nonetheless procuring bag hooks, and you may decrease the seat backs utilizing the set off pulls within the boot – however they don’t fold the seats down for you.
Thanfully, there’s a space-saver spare tyre below the boot ground.
What’s below the bonnet?
As within the earlier mannequin, Toyota doesn’t state a mixed torque determine for its 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric powertrain, however there have been some adjustments.
Certainly, that is Toyota’s first mannequin in Australia with the model’s fifth-generation HEV system, which is extra highly effective, and provides higher claimed effectivity than its predecessor.
Specs | Toyota Camry |
---|---|
Engine | 2.5L 4cyl hybrid |
Engine outputs | 138kW 221Nm |
Electrical motor outputs | 100kW 208Nm |
System outputs | 170kW |
Battery | 4.0Ah li-ion |
Transmission | CVT |
Pushed wheels | FWD |
Weight | 1625kg (kerb) |
Gasoline financial system (claimed) | 4.0L/100km |
Gasoline financial system (as examined) | 4.6L/100km |
Gasoline tank capability | 50L |
Gasoline requirement | 95 RON |
CO2 emissions | 91g/km |
Emissions commonplace | Euro 6 |
Braked tow capability | 400kg |
On take a look at, over a number of hundred kilometres of combined driving – metropolis, city, freeway, freeway and open roads – I noticed a median of 4.6 litres per 100km on the motive force information show.
The large consideration right here, although, is that it requires 95RON premium unleaded this time round, which does add some additional value on the servo.
It has a 50-litre gas tank capability, which implies – based mostly on my consumption – it ought to clear 1080km per fill!
To see how the Toyota Camry stacks up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability software
How does the Toyota Camry drive?
The brand new-generation Camry vary refines what was already an excellent drive expertise.
It’s a low-slung sedan, and that in itself is a little bit of a peculiar factor to the best way it drives. You slink into the motive force’s seat, and there have been quite a lot of cases after I thought the bumpers would backside out on velocity humps and driveways, however they didn’t.
There are various spectacular sides to the drive, however I significantly preferred the trip consolation and physique management.
Over combined surfaces and at totally different speeds, it by no means felt flummoxed or uncomfortable, and the best way the suspension composes itself after a giant lump or small sharp-edged bump is actually spectacular.
The steering is well-suited to this sort of automobile, too. It’s not tremendous quick or extremely intentful, however it’s correct, properly judged by way of weighting, and enjoyable sufficient for it to be a little bit of fun on a windy stretch of highway, and even simply weaving by means of roundabouts.
The additional energy is noticeable from the powertrain. I spent a variety of time within the final Camry through the years, and you may really feel the additional oomph from the hybrid powertrain while you actually get into it.
However what’s extra spectacular is its bold use of EV mode – sometimes in previous-gen Toyota hybrids, the engine would kick in loudly after I reversed out of my driveway and down the hill earlier than taking off at dwelling, however on this occasion, it might do all of it in EV mode.
Toyota remains to be the benchmark for hybrid powertrain administration, too – the engine, transmission, electrical motor and battery all work collectively seamlessly, with a clean but nonetheless potent expertise while you want it. And it’s all quieter than it was within the earlier mannequin, too.
Truthfully, there’s not a complete lot to complain about relating to the drive expertise, other than slightly little bit of highway noise intrusion at freeway speeds on coarse-chip surfaces.
And even the protection methods are fairly good. There’s a driver monitoring system that doesn’t get it flawed and a lane-keeping system that isn’t overzealous. And the digital rear-view mirror digital camera system is a beautiful addition, too.
Perhaps the one criticism is that the adaptive cruise management is a bit too cautious with its gaps; it even brakes to let folks merge in which might be a good distance forward of you. How dare it’s so courteous?!
What do you get?
This part will assist you determine whether or not this SL mannequin is the one to go for, or not.
Toyota Camry Ascent highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights and tail-lights
- Energy-folding exterior mirrors
- Black material inside trim
- Handbook entrance seat adjustment
- 60/40 folding rear seat again
- 7.0-inch digital instrument binnacle
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Bluetooth connectivity
- DAB+ digital radio
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Six-speaker sound system
- 5 USB-C ports
Ascent Sport provides:
- Excessive-grade LED headlights
- LED entrance fog lights
- 8-way powered driver’s seat
- Energy driver seat lumbar
- Leather-based-accented steering wheel and equipment knob
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Wi-fi smartphone charger
- 12.3-inch touchscreen show
SL provides:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Heated exterior mirrors with reminiscence
- Entrance and rear digital camera washers
- Rear/facet rear privateness glass
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- Leather-based seat trim
- Eight-way powered passenger seat
- Driver’s seat reminiscence
- Heated and ventilated entrance seats
- Paddle shifters
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Digital rear-view mirror
- Computerized rain-sensing wipers
- Energy-adjustable heated steering wheel
- Head-up show
- 9-speaker JBL sound system
To see how the Toyota Camry stacks up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability software
Is the Toyota Camry protected?
You wager it’s. It has a five-star security ranking from ANCAP, based mostly on testing performed in 2024.
In that testing it acquired an grownup occupant safety ranking of 95 per cent, a baby occupant safety ranking of 87 per cent, a weak highway person safety ranking of 84 per cent, and a security help ranking of 81 per cent.
Commonplace security tools contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian, bike owner, motorcyclist, oncoming car detection
- Intersection collision avoidance help
- Emergency steering help
- Unsuitable-pedal mitigation
- Adaptive cruise management
- Lane-keep help with lively lane centring
- Computerized high-beam
- Velocity signal recognition
- Emergency car cease
All variations have a reversing digital camera, and a surround-view digital camera system, in addition to entrance and rear parking sensors. For those who spend as much as the SL you get digital camera washers entrance and rear, too.
There are eight airbags fitted – twin entrance, driver’s knee, entrance centre, entrance facet, and full-length curtains
How a lot does the Toyota Camry value to run?
It runs on the scent of an oily rag, by way of petrol consumption. Simply do not forget that it needs to be the great gasoline…
However by way of the opposite ongoing possession issues, it guarantees a dependable expertise. This hybrid tech has stood the take a look at of time and terror through the years, and Toyota backs its fashions with good guarantee cowl.
There’s a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee plan for personal patrons, and if you happen to service the car on time (at Toyota, or elsewhere), you’ll get seven years of powertrain guarantee cowl as nicely.
Plus, if you happen to do resolve to service with Toyota, you’ll get 10 years of high-voltage battery guarantee cowl, too.
There’s a capped-price servicing plan for the Camry, with the primary 5 visits lined at an impressively low price:
Service interval | Value |
---|---|
12 months/15,000km | $255 |
24 months/30,000km | $255 |
36 months/45,000km | $255 |
48 months/60,000km | $255 |
60 months/75,000km | $255 |
Whole | $1275 |
The one factor that you just don’t get with Toyota is roadside help, which you’ll pay additional for in order for you.
The opposite value you may wish to think about is the Toyota Related Companies program.
There’s a smartphone app that may present you information like odometer, gas gauge, distance to empty, last-known car location, recall information, and extra, however if you happen to’d just like the benefit of stolen car monitoring, distant car locking and unlocking for the doorways/boot, plus distant engine begin, you’ll must pay additional for it after your first 12 months of possession ($9.95 monthly!).
There’s additionally a web-based sat-nav system with an online-connected voice assistant, which is free for 12 months, however prices $12.50 monthly thereafter. Impolite.
To see how the Toyota Camry stacks up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability software
CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota Camry
It’s exhausting to not be impressed by the most recent Camry, and if you’re the type of purchaser who needs an environment friendly, nicely outfitted and pleasurable automobile, the SL makes a rock-solid case.
It’s extra mature, comfy, thought-about and assured by way of its specs and tech, and for individuals who can dwell with the sedan physique model, it’s a winner.
Eager about shopping for a Toyota Camry? Get in contact with considered one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
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