By ALISTAIR KENNEDY
Few cars have dominated their market segments like the Toyota Camry in the Australian mid-sized passenger car category.
For the past 21 years Camrys – all made in Australia – have sat in top spot in that class, generally by a large margin.
Now Toyota Australia has launched its latest Camry and confirms it will continue to be sold here long after the factory closures.
Well aware that it needs to attract younger buyers to maintain its dominance Toyota has given Camry a major upgrade highlighted by new body panels everywhere except the roof; a sleeker profile and a big, bold grille to break free from the ‘bland and boring’ tag that has haunted previous models.
There’s also a new semi-sporty variant, the Oz-only Atara SX that comes with 18-inch alloy wheels (a first for any Camry model), low profile tyres and sports suspension – again targetting the mid-30s upwards, it’s still a conservative family car, after all.
Toyota Australia is also determined to retain the fleet buyers that account for about two-thirds of local Camry sales.
It has taken an axe to its price list with significant reductions across the range.
The entry level Altise drops by $4000 to $26,490; Atara S down by the same amount to $29,490; as is the Atara SX to $31,990; while the top-of-the-range Atara SL gets a $2550 cut to $37,440.
Toyota’s commitment to hybrid technology continues with all models, except for the sporty Atara SX, now available with the petrol/electric drivetrain.
The Altise Hybrid sells for $30,490, the Atara S Hybrid for $32,490, and the Atara SL Hybrid.
In another interesting move, on-road costs (government and dealer delivery charges) have been locked-in at $2500 meaning that the drive-away prices on all models are still as much as $1500 below the previous recommended retail prices before on-road costs of the outgoing model.
The 2.5-litre petrol engine is unchanged with 135 kW and 235 Nm of power and torque (133 kW and 231 Nm in the Altise).
The twin resources of the hybrid combine to provide 151 kW together with the instant torque from the electric motor.
Each model gets a different style of alloy wheels.
There are 10-spoke 16-inch rims on Altise; 10-spoke / 17-inch on Atara S; 15-spoke / 17-inch on Atara SL; while 18-inch wheels are standard on the Atara SX and optional on the SL.
New Camry retains its five-star ANCAP safety rating with all models coming with seven airbags, reversing camera, vehicle stability and traction control, ABS brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution; and LED daytime running lights.
The range-topping Atara SL adds an extra safety dimension with active cruise control to ensure a safe distance is maintained from the vehicles in front.
It also comes with a new pre-crash safety system that uses a grille-mounted radar sensor to alert the driver of a possible collision and automatically apply the brakes if the system senses an imminent impact.
In addition, SL has one of our favourite new safety features, rear cross traffic alert which uses sensors mounted near the rear of the car to alert the driver of approaching cars when they are reversing out of a parking space.
The same sensors are used as a ‘blind spot’ monitor while a windscreen-mounted camera is used for the lane departure warning alert system.
We were able to drive each of the Camry variants during the car’s launch drive program centred around the Yarra Valley to the north of Melbourne.
We were especially interested in the sporting claims being made about the next Atara SX and came away impressed.
While it’s no sports machine it is the most enjoyable Camry that we’ve driven.
The suspension is firm without compromising ride comfort, steering is tighter and it gripped the road reassuringly through the many bends and dips along the drive route.
All the above must make depressing reading for Toyota’s competitors in the mid-size car market.
It’s a bit like hitting a rival when they’re down – exciting new looks, the option of some more driving fun, extra equipment and substantial price cuts.
Looks like Toyota Camry is going to be around for many years to come.
Model range
Altise 2.5-litre petrol: $26,490 (automatic)
Altise Hybrid 2.5-litre petrol/electric: $30,490 (automatic)
Atara S 2.5-litre petrol: $29,490 (automatic)
Atara S Hybrid 2.5-litre petrol/electric: $32,490 (automatic)
Atara SX 2.5-litre petrol: $31,990 (automatic)
Atara SL 2.5-litre petrol: $37,440 (automatic)
Atara SL Hybrid 2.5-litre petrol/electric: $40,440 (automatic)
