Now here’s a hybrid vehicle families and fleet buyers can live with every day – the all-new seventh-generation Toyota Camry Hybrid. Toyota has addressed criticisms of the first Camry Hybrid and this time around, the mid-size sedan is a much better proposition.
Surprise number one is the driving dynamics – a Camry which is taut, firm, precise and downright sporty in fact. Surprise number two is the pricing – despite significant improvements and extra equipment, the all-new Toyota Camry Hybrid starts at $34,990 actually undercutting the previous model by $2,000.
Toyota Camry Hybrid Overview
The hybrid version of Toyota’s all-new seventh-generation Camry is better equipped, roomier, more powerful, more fuel efficient and better value than its predecessor.
There’s a new model lineup too – entry-level is the Camry H and the flagship is the Camry HL (where ‘L’ stands for ‘luxury).
Prices look like this:
Camry H $34,990
Camry HL $41,490
So not only is the entry-level Toyota Camry Hybrid H is stickered $2,000 below its predecessor, the total of the ticker tells us the HL model gains $4,500 worth of extra equipment, but the price rise over the equivalent previous model is only $1,500.
Running costs you ask? Again Toyota has delivered – the all-new Camry Hybrid now comes with Toyota Service Advantage providing up to five services in the first four years or 75,000kms capped at $130 each (but only for private buyers).
Toyota Camry Hybrid Engine
Major changes under the bonnet mean the all-new Toyota Camry Hybrid is more powerful, more fuel-efficient and faster than its predecessor. The 2AR-FXE 2.5-litre petrol engine is a four-cylinder Atkinson Cycle (compression stroke shorter than expansion), purpose-designed for the hybrid application with variable valve timing only on inlet – it’s belt-less (electric-powered air-conditioning, water pump and steering) and high compression (12.5:1 compared to 10.4:1 in the petrol Camry).
Maximum power is 118kW at 5700rpm (that’s 7.2 per cent up on the superseded model) and peak torque is 213Nm at 4500rpm (14 per cent up) - importantly low speed torque is up by 20 per cent. The electric motor is good for 105kW/270Nm and this combines to provide 151kW (7.8 per cent up on the previous model) – as per normal, Toyota doesn’t publish combined torque for this or any other hybrid model.
Here’s the bad news for rival diesel-powered rivals – Toyota Camry Hybrid’s fuel consumption is a massive 13 per improved over its predecessor - combined cycle fuel consumption rated at 5.2l/100kms.
A new driver-select EV mode allows electric-only motoring for up to two kilometers.
Toyota Camry Hybrid The Interior
Major changes inside too for Camry’s hybrid version. Most obvious – HL’s gains include nicely trimmed leather seats, a sunroof, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beam and 10-speaker JBL audio with DAB+ digital radio and a seven-inch touch-screen with integrated satellite navigation.
Pleasingly both Toyota Camry Hybrid models come with a standard reversing camera (6.1-inch touch-screen in ‘H’ model).
Naturally there are changes to the instruments for the hybrid application but equally, much of the well-designed interior from the petrol Camry carries-over to the hybrid model. Included are rake/reach adjustment for the excellent three-spoke steering wheel and electronic seat adjustment for the HL model to provide a top-shelf driving position.
Again the handsomely-stitched multi-tier dashboard, nice Hybrid-exclusive brushed aluminium trim highlights and quality tactile surfaces stamp the Toyota Camry Hybrid in a quality league above many rivals in this segment.
And in the rear, Camry makes use of its 2775mm wheelbase to provide genuine family car space.
Toyota has shifted the DC-DC inverter to the engine bay and moved the hybrid battery forwards by 100mm to increase cargo capacity to 421-litres – still not quite a match for the petrol model.
Safety is impressive with seven airbags (including a driver kneebag) as is refinement with the Toyota Camry Hybrid benefitting from extensive unique under-body insulation and a bonded acoustic windscreen.
Toyota Camry Hybrid Exterior & Styling
As per Toyota SOP (Standard Operating Procedure), external changes for the hybrid version of the Camry are minimal and blue-tinged. That’s good because for hybrids to succeed, the swap from internal combustion engine vehicles needs to be as seamless as possible.
At the front, Toyota Camry Hybrid is distinguished by a unique radiator grille with extra chrome and blue-trimmed headlights. Looking at the rear, Camry HL scores a bootlid spoiler and both versions run chrome trim and blue-tinted ‘Hybrid’ badge.
Camry H rides on 16-inch alloy wheels with 215/60R16 Michelin tyres while range-topping Camry HL uses 17-inch alloys with Bridgestone 215/55R17 rubber.
Toyota Camry Hybrid On The Road
We should have sensed what was coming when Toyota chose to launch the Camry Hybrid in Tasmania over some of the fantastic high-speed roads used in the Targa Tasmania tarmac rally. Toyota did so confident in the knowledge this time around that Camry Hybrid has what it takes to appeal to enthusiast drivers.
It was legendary British race driver Sir Sterling Moss who, when asked to name where the world’s best road circuit roads could be found, responded by saying: “Any road in Tasmania, Australia”. And for two days Car Showroom tested the all-new Toyota Camry Hybrid over these tremendous climbs, descents, swoops and curves.
Toyota Technical Centre in Melbourne has played a crucial role in developing the all-new Toyota Camry and for the hybrid version the required outcome was improved agility. Not quite so straight-forward either as the newcomer tips the scales 45kgs lighter and distributes the weight differently due to placement of the various hybrid drivetrain components.
So changes are numerous and complex. Damping rates for both compression and rebound are different by as much as 19 per cent, front springs are two per cent stiffer and rear springs are six per cent softer.
The result is an engaging drive which enthusiast drivers will enjoy. No, honestly - that’s not a typo – the all-new Toyota Camry Hybrid is a sporty drive.
Ride is downright firm, there’s little body roll, turn-in is crisp and overall the Toyota Camry Hybrid is as precise as a European mid-sizer.
And that’s not at the price of refinement – in fact Toyota Camry Hybrid is quieter than its petrol sibling.
Toyota Camry Hybrid Challenges
Minor points deductions here: the electric power steering is just a smidge too light for sporty drivers and the twists and curves of those Tasmanian roads had us wishing for paddle shifters to manually change gears for better mid-turn throttle response (the CVT does include a ‘B’ setting for engine braking).
Toyota Camry Hybrid Verdict
Once again Toyota has a Hybrid Hero on its hands. While corporate fleets looking to reduce the impact of the Carbon Tax and their carbon footprint will always be attuned to hybrids, now the Toyota Camry Hybrid really should be considered by family buyers.
You get all the hybrid green credentials, lots of interior space/practicality and a ripper driving dynamic.
Toyota Camry Hybrid The Competition
The only direct rival, is the previous generation Honda Civic Hybrid, is overpowered by Toyota Camry’s 2.5-litre engine so we will need to wait until the new model arrives to make a fair comparison.
You might consider turbo-diesel versions of the Mazda6 and Ford Mondeo (not hybrids of course) but they don’t deliver the fuel economy of the Toyota Camry Hybrid.
