2015 Toyota Camry Review: Australia’s Favourite Midsizer, Now Better
What’s Hot: Solid value for money, fresh new look, well-sorted SX suspension.
What’s Not: No nav on anything but the flagship Atara SL, some interior quality qualms.
X-FACTOR: The new Camry wears a Hugo Boss suit at Kmart prices, and its appeal doesn’t end there.
Vehicle Style: Medium sedan
Price: $26,490 (Altise petrol) to $40,440 (Atara SL Hybrid)
Engine/trans
133kW/231Nm (135kW/235Nm for Atara) 2.5 petrol 4cyl
151kW/270Nm 2.5 petrol 4cyl and electric motor | 6sp auto, CVT (hybrid)
Fuel Economy
claimed: 5.2 l/100km (hybrid), 7.8 l/100km (petrol)
tested: 6.8 l/100km (hybrid), 9.9 l/100km (petrol)
OVERVIEW
Did Toyota Australia really need to revamp the Camry just two and a half years before the plug is pulled on its Altona assembly plant?
If you’re into statistics, you may be inclined to say ‘no’. Last year the company sold 22,044 Camrys, a gigantic 16,000-car lead over its nearest rival the Mazda6.
It is dominant in the same way that humans are dominant over the Galapagos tortoise. In terms of sales success, the Camry is the apex predator of its segment.
Clearly, the existing recipe was fine.
But, let’s face it, the design was starting to date. The seventh-generation Camry’s styling was all edges and a little bit charmless. Anonymous, even.
The 2015 Camry is somewhat different. The sheetmetal is more adventurous and organic, attractive even.
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