Toyota Camry – What you need to know

Against the rising tide of SUV buyers, the future of the humble sedan, once the staple diet of Aussie motorists, remains under threat.

But that hasn’t stopped Toyota sticking to its guns with the Japanese-sourced Camry, routinely updating the evergreen family car as it enters the twilight years of its current eighth generation.

The success of the Tesla Model 3 EV shows that buyers are willing to return to the traditional sedan segment if the car in question ticks enough boxes.

So with its blend of value, roominess and choice of traditional petrol or frugal hybrid powertrains, Camry remains highly relevant in today’s market.

The Toyota Camry line-up consists of four petrol-electric hybrids and one conventional petrol engine across four trim levels: Ascent (the only grade with both powertrain options), Ascent Sport, SX and SL, with prices ranging from $34,320 to $50,320 plus on-road costs.

The most affordable way to Camry ownership is the non-hybrid Ascent, priced from that opening marker of $34,320 plus ORCs, and for that money this model has the following standard kit:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Auto-levelling LED headlights
• 60/40-split folding rear seat
• Adaptive cruise control
• 7.0-inch infotainment touch-screen
• 4.2-inch trip computer display
• Six-speaker audio with CD, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and digital radio (DAB+)
• Manual air-conditioning
• Multifunction steering wheel
• Power-adjustable lumbar support for driver’s seat
• Reversing camera

The cost of ticking the metallic, mica or crystal pearl paint box on the Toyota Camry order form is $575, with Glacier White the one no-cost colour in the eight-palette range.

Camry models come standard with either black fabric – in the Ascent and Ascent Sport – or sports leather in the SX and leather accents in the top-of-the-range SL.

The current Toyota Camry has a maximum five-star safety rating from ANCAP, although that dates back to assessment conducted in 2017 and the testing protocols have become much tougher since then.

Not standing still, Toyota has also upgraded the Camry along the way to include such features as Toyota Connected Services (TCS). In the event of a collision that requires intervention, or if an airbag deploys, this service can automatically contact Toyota’s Emergency Call Centre and relay the location to emergency services.

If the vehicle is reported stolen, TCS can also assist to help track its location, among a broad range of other benefits the service provides.

All Toyota Camry variants come with lane departure warning, emergency steer and lane trace assists, intersection turn assist, hill start assist and brake hold, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and daylight cyclist detection, auto high beam, adaptive cruise control, road speed sign recognition, a reversing camera and electronic traction and stability control.

There’s also seven airbags fitted standard to the car, including one for the driver’s knee.

If you want parking sensors along with blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert and parking sensors, you’ll need to order at least a Camry Ascent Sport, one step up from the entry-level Ascent.

Exclusive to the range-topping SL model is a head-up display and a panoramic view monitor for a 360-degree view of the surrounds when parking or driving at low speeds.

The Toyota Camry Ascent comes with a 7.0-inch central infotainment screen with AM, FM and DAB+ digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, Siri and Google Now assist, Bluetooth phone and music connectivity, voice recognition and access to the MyToyota app that opens Waze, Stitcher and WebEx.

There stereo at the entry level has six speakers, and all models include at least three USB inputs (one up front and two at the rear).

The Ascent Sport, SX and SL feature a larger 9.0-inch colour infotainment touch-screen that adds satellite navigation, while the SL also has a nine-speaker JBL sound system.

These models above the Camry Ascent and Hybrid Ascent have a larger 7.0-inch display in the instrument cluster too, replacing the 4.2-inch trip computer display found on the Ascent twins.

Both the Toyota Camry Ascent and Ascent Sport ride on 17-inch alloy wheels, while the sporty SX grade runs 19-inch alloys and the flagship Camry SL makes do with 18-inch alloys.

A full-size spare is standard in the non-hybrid, entry-level Camry Ascent with all others having space-saver spares.

Exterior design features distinguishing the trim levels include a boot lid spoiler and sports grille finished in matte black for Camry Ascent Sport or high-gloss for SX and SL.

Only one grade gives the Camry buyer rain-sensing windscreen wipers, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, ambient interior lighting and a glass roof – the range-topping Camry SL.

Other than the base Camry Ascent, all Camry Hybrid variants offer dual-zone climate control along with smart entry and start.

A premium multifunction steering wheel is standard for all grades from Ascent Sport up, with the SX and SL having paddle shifts. The SL also gains powered steering wheel adjustment, leaving all other variants to make do with manual adjustment.

Every Camry comes equipped with a 12-volt power outlet, a sunglasses holder, centre console storage, lockable glove box and eight beverage holders.

Fabric trim is standard in the Camry Ascent and Ascent Sport, but the SX and SL grades are upholstered in ‘leather-accented’ materials. Seat heating and ventilation for the driver and front passenger are an exclusive Camry SL feature.

And you can skip the entry-level Camry Ascent if you want a power-adjustable driver’s seat that comes standard in the Ascent Sport, along with stainless-steel scuff plates.

However, should you desire power adjustment for both front seats and the driver’s seat having a position memory function, your only choice is the top-of-the-heap SL.

Are selectable drive modes on your wish list? Then head for the Ascent Sport and its Eco, Normal and Sport modes. And if you want to add extra spice to the drive, grab the Camry SX with its sports suspension.

Powering the most affordable Toyota Camry variant in the range, the Ascent, is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that’s coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission with sequential manual shift control. Peak output for this engine is 152kW and 243Nm.

A hybrid powertrain comprising a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine supplemented with an electric motor is also available in the Ascent and standard in the Ascent Sport, SX and SL. Peak power is 131kW with maximum torque of 221Nm, and when enhanced by the electric motor, total power tops out at 160kW.

Both powertrain options run on 95 RON premium fuel. According to Toyota, the petrol engine’s combined-cycle economy is 6.8L/100km, compared to the the hybrid at 4.7L/100km.

The Toyota Camry is unlikely to ever make it onto an enthusiast’s list – at least until the much-speculated GR Camry finally turn up – but the SX offers a modicum of sportiness with its 19-inch alloy wheels, lower-profile tyres and sports suspension.

But performance isn’t why you go for a Camry. You do it for its refinement, luxury, reliability and low running costs.

And I reckon the Ascent Sport Hybrid does a good job of delivering all of the above, with a host of comfort and convenience items and extra safety kit on top of the entry-level Ascent.

So this is the model that gets my hard-earned, while the broader range – particularly the hybrids – deserve a close look if you’re in the market for a well-equipped, economical and roomy car and aren’t already wedded to the idea of purchasing an SUV.

How much does the 2023 Toyota Camry cost?
Ascent – $34,320
Ascent Hybrid – $36,820
Ascent Sport Hybrid – $39,620
SX Hybrid – $43,020
SL Hybrid – $50,320
*Prices exclude on-road costs