Toyota Camry Test Drive: Pros and Cons of this Premium Sedan

The Toyota Camry is a true synonym for a business-class sedan in the Ukrainian market. This is confirmed by sales statistics and the public's affection for the model. At the end of last year, the ninth generation of the model debuted in Ukraine. During our test, we explored what has changed in the car and which environment suits it better - city or highways.

Recognizing from a Distance

At first glance, the new Camry may seem like just a deep facelift of the previous model. However, this is both true and not true. It is worth noting that the design of the front and rear is entirely new, reflecting the current corporate style of Toyota, already recognized from the Prius and Crown models, making the car easily identifiable. Company representatives compare the new signature design of the front end to the shapes of a hammerhead shark. Unexpected, yet original.

Interestingly, the upper part of the bumper, where the emblem is located, appears to hover over the grille. This design adds a sense of speed to the car, and beneath it hides a radar. However, a journey through a snowstorm revealed that snow tends to accumulate under this "canopy," necessitating occasional stops to clear the solidified water. Otherwise, most electronic assistants may not function properly.

Among other distinctive features of the new sedan's exterior are the body-colored light-cutting accents, contoured bumpers with contrasting details, and new hood and trunk lid designs. The color palette has been enriched with several new shades. The appearance is complemented by new wheels with diameters of 18 or 19 inches.

However, it is no secret that the car's platform, known as GA-K, remains unchanged, and the structural integrity of the body has hardly altered. Moreover, when comparing the new model to its predecessor in profile, the only key difference is the slightly modified shape of the rear door opening.

Hidden Technologies

From the first moments inside the Japanese sedan, the number of physical buttons is surprising: about twenty on the steering wheel and another similar amount on the central console. However, once accustomed, one notices that the main change is the completely reconfigured front dashboard.

There are no protruding screens anymore. The multimedia system display has been enlarged to 12.3 inches and is seamlessly integrated into the interior architecture. The instrument panel is also digital, logically mirroring other brand models. It's convenient that information from the 10-inch head-up display is projected onto the windshield, showing speed, navigation prompts, and adaptive cruise control status.

Once on the move, it becomes clear that engineers have also focused on the quality of the materials and overall comfort level. The profile and padding of the seats have undergone a complete redesign, which in our configuration can include heating, ventilation, memory settings, and a full electric package.

Comfort is further enhanced by double-glazed windows in the front doors and curtains on the rear side and main rear windows. Traditionally, the latter is equipped with electric drive. Rear passengers have access to their own control unit for airflow and charging ports for gadgets.

The multimedia system of the new Camry can update "over the air," and the car can provide Wi-Fi when needed and boasts support for wireless protocols like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Additionally, it is worth noting the JBL audio system with nine speakers.

The trunk of the test vehicle in the top Premium configuration has a capacity of 469 liters, while more modest versions offer slightly more space at 493 liters. This is due to the subwoofer located under the floor. It is somewhat inconvenient that the trunk lid does not have an electric drive and must be closed manually. However, it can be done without leaving the driver's seat if necessary.

The Hybrid Pulls

The hybrid powertrain of our test subject, classified as HEV, consists of a 2.5-liter gasoline engine, two electric motors, and an electromechanical variator with a total output of 230 horsepower. It is important to note that more modest versions are available with a purely gasoline variant featuring the same engine, delivering 204 horsepower and paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

A week of getting to know the Japanese sedan demonstrated that overall, the hybrid system operates very smoothly and almost imperceptibly. The change in driving mode can only be detected by the startup of the gasoline engine. The indicators for the powertrain can be displayed on the central screen or in the "window" of the instrument panel.

When hitting the highway, it's essential to remember that the acceleration time from a standstill to the first "hundred" is about 7.2 seconds. In this case, the response to the accelerator is quite quick. Furthermore, the variator skillfully mimics gear shifts.

In terms of handling, the car feels somewhat sharper compared to its predecessor. However, the overall character remains unchanged - the vehicle is geared towards comfort. There is certainly no increase in feedback from the steering wheel, and body roll in turns is noticeable. Nevertheless, the suspension effectively absorbs most bumps, only struggling with excessively large potholes.

In terms of energy consumption, the test Toyota Camry behaves like an electric vehicle - it consumes less fuel in the city than on the highway, as the electric motors are activated more frequently in urban areas. Thus, in the metropolis, the hybrid easily achieves 5.5-6 liters per 100 km. On the highway at a speed of 120 km/h, the vehicle consumes 6.4-6.6 liters. Interestingly, the hybrid vehicle has a 50-liter fuel tank, while the purely gasoline version has a 60-liter tank.

If necessary, a purely electric mode can be activated. However, the manufacturer keeps the electric range under wraps. Based on my observations, after 2-3 km, the vehicle automatically starts the internal combustion engine, and speeds above 30-40 km/h cannot be achieved on electric power alone.

The Price of the Question

There are four configurations available for the Toyota Camry in the Ukrainian market - Comfort, Elegance, Prestige, and Premium. Prices for the Japanese sedan without a hybrid powertrain in the base Comfort configuration start at 1,462,480 UAH. The hybrid is available starting from the second level, priced at 1,682,660 UAH. The test sedan in Premium configuration is valued at 2,022,020 UAH.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Toyota Camry

Strengths of the Toyota Camry

• Economical powertrain
• Comfortable suspension
• High-quality interior materials
• Physical controls in the cabin

Drawbacks of the Japanese sedan:

• Lack of matrix optics
• Low ground clearance