Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is the sole sedan in Toyota’s India lineup. A big and comfortable family sedan with unquestionable reliability - that’s what the Camry’s been known for. But let's be honest, there wasn’t much else. It just felt like a Corolla, but bigger.

But look at this one. It’s edgier with a new platform, loaded with new tech and looks like it is ready to offer something more, something extra. So now, has Toyota finally made the Camry desirable for those people who otherwise would never consider getting one?

This review is from 2019 of the previous generation of the camry (2017-2023) as soon as we drive the latest variant we will update this review.

Looks

The Camry's new look stands out. While the previous model was big but not too eye-catching, this one has a distinct charm. It's a bit shorter but longer, wider, and with a larger wheelbase, giving it a stronger presence.

The sleek LED projector headlights and LED DRLs add an attitude, making it look like it's ready for action. The big lower grille, reminiscent of Lexus cars, adds to its bold style. The 18-inch wheels, though busy, fit well with the Camry's new, more assertive design.

Now, the rear end hasn't got much attention in Toyota's promotions, but it's a beauty! The coupe-like roofline flows into a wide rear, giving it a sporty look with defined curves. From a distance, you might even spot a resemblance to the BMW 7 Series, especially in black. If you roll up in this Camry, heads are sure to turn and stay turned.

Now, let's talk features. The front seats are ventilated, a great addition for India's climate. They are generously sized, offering a cool breeze for those with bigger frames. The front seats are 10-way powered with lumbar support, and the driver's seat, electrically-adjustable steering, and wing mirrors have memory settings. Whether you're driving or being chauffeured, no need to fidget to find the right setup. Here's a quick rundown: a 7-inch multi-information display provides driving data, tire pressures, and control over the rear sunshade or park assist. An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, paired with a 9-speaker JBL sound system, takes center stage. Topping it off is a 10-inch head-up display showing digital tachometer, speedometer, compass, cruise control info, and the current song if you're streaming audio. And yes, there's a tilt and slide sunroof too. Seems like a leap ahead, right?

Any drawbacks? Well, a few. Some controls, like the steering-mounted buttons, volume knob, and climate controls, might feel familiar to Toyota owners. The plastic flaps covering the front USB and power sockets feel a bit industrial, and the infotainment system UI looks a tad dated compared to what Skoda offers in the Superb. But overall, nothing you'd call a dealbreaker. In many good ways, it's unlike a typical Camry, and Toyota emphasizes it's a departure from past models.

Engine

The new Camry is built on something called the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), which is also used in the Lexus ES 300h. Don't worry too much about that; it just means a solid foundation. What's cool is you're getting the same power setup as a fancy Rs 60 lakh luxury sedan – a 2.5-litre petrol engine paired with a hybrid system. This combo gives you 218PS of power and 221Nm of torque. Just to keep it simple, that means it's got good oomph.

When you start driving, the Camry goes electric first unless the battery is low. At slow city speeds, it stays super quiet, thanks to its electric mode. Speed up a bit, press the gas pedal more, and the petrol engine joins in. But don't worry; it stays pretty quiet and smooth. It's like when your car's AC starts at a red light – not too noticeable.

Now, the Camry hybrid is like a fuel efficiency genius. It always calculates how to use energy best. We tested the older Camry, claiming 19.11kmpl, and it gave us 14.29kmpl in the city and 18.30kmpl on the highway – pretty good, right? The new Camry claims 23.27kmpl, which sounds promising. But keep in mind, the fuel tank got a bit smaller, from 65 liters to 50 liters. So, while it's efficient, you won't go as far on a full tank.

Drive Experience

Let's talk about the fun stuff. Toyota says this new Camry is not just practical but enjoyable to drive. Now, that might sound a bit unusual for a Camry in India, but bear with me. This one handles well – not as precise as a Skoda Superb, but it can bring a smile to your face, making you look forward to driving it.

The steering is more responsive than before, especially when you switch to the sport mode. It feels just right – not too light or slow. The new Camry is almost 5 meters long, so you might think it's big, but it handles quick turns without a fuss. Thanks to some technical changes, it's not as soft as the old Camry, and the suspension keeps things stable, even in corners.

Now, let's talk speed. It's not a race car, but when you need to accelerate, it responds well. You won't feel like you're getting pushed back into your seat, but it's got enough power to quickly hit high speeds or overtake smoothly.

But, let's not forget the reality check. In a Camry, the real magic happens in the back seat. So, while driving is more fun now, the back seat is still where you want to be.

Ride Quality

Not this time. The old Camry had a bit of a problem with its ride – it was comfy, but a bit too much. Even on smooth roads with slight bumps, the ride would get bouncy and take some time to settle down. But now, things have changed. The new Camry has a more mature ride. It's not too different from the Volkswagen Passat, which uses fancy adaptive dampers. Whether it's bad roads, potholes, or uneven surfaces, the new Toyota Camry handles them well, keeping the people inside comfortable without the bounciness.

And it's not just the ride that makes the back seat enjoyable. There's a ton of space inside, and if you need more, you can adjust the front passenger's seat using controls on the side. The Camry also comes with 3-zone climate control, a powered rear sunblind, and seats that can recline electronically. The controls for these, along with the music system, are right there in the rear armrest for easy access. While the old model had these features too, the new one comes with a touchpad instead of physical buttons.

So, as a car for those who love the back seat, this Camry is better than before. It's more luxurious with the new cabin design, modern tech, high-quality leatherette upholstery, and well-fitted plastic trim. More importantly, it rides and handles in a more grown-up way. So, when dad wants a little thrill on the weekend after the daily office commute, there's no need to switch to the other car in the garage anymore.

Safety

The safety package is strong as ever too, including 9 airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, traction control and vehicle stability control.

Verdict

Toyota has made the new Camry much more attractive with cooler features, a significantly improved ride and handling, and attention-grabbing looks. This makes the new Toyota Camry a solid upgrade from the old model.

However, the FAME incentives have been removed, making the Camry more expensive than a non-hybrid petrol alternative like the Skoda Superb. The top-spec Superb is also Rs 6 lakh cheaper than the Camry Hybrid. This does impact the appeal of the Camry’s excellent fuel efficiency.

Even with its fresh and more appealing image, what seals the deal is, to a large extent, the Toyota brand promise and everything that comes with it.