TOYOTA CAMRY REVIEW, FIRST DRIVE: CAMRY PERFORMS ITS KAIZEN
In the world of sedans, the Toyota Camry is royalty. It is the subtle art of Japanese luxury, adequate but not opulent. And we are no stranger to the badge either, considering that the Camry's tryst with the subcontinent is over two decades old with the sixth generation making its way into the country as far back as 2002. It's also the fact that Camry buyers keep coming back, that inspired Toyota Kirloskar Motor to start making them in India in 2013. A generation and few nips and tucks later here we are. And someone at Toyota probably realised that if Camry customers kept coming back, over time, well they would eventually die, and no new customers would make their way to the fold.
Okay, maybe they wouldn't die. Maybe they'd stop needing to own the newest generation, and then? They'd never outlast the Camry that they have anyway. So they would, in fact, die. This leaves the ninth generation of the Camry with the simple yet critical task of bringing new customers to the brand. But this time around in a world full of chrome strips, hyperscreens and bling.
But then, I think that's what this generation of the Camry personifies, the gentle evolution of Japanese luxury to meet with the times. The philosophy remains intact, but it is no longer dated.
We'll start with the way it looks. With the disclaimer that this sportier red variant that you see on this page is the "Sprint" as opposed to the standard "Elegance". Extra bits include the lip spoiler on the front bumper, the diffuser on the rear bumper, the blacked-out roof and the ducktail-esque spoiler on the boot lid. I quite like it. It's edgy and "sporty" but I do see a lot of those return customers groaning their complaints, so it is fairly clear why for the first time we have two "variants" of the Camry in India.
The overall design that debuts the brand's global "Hammerhead" philosophy is something that I like in both trims. The new C-shaped DRLs that run through the bumper and the nose add to the character but I feel like the conventionally placed LED projector lights are that quiet nod to the 'proper' way of doing things. They are more compact in this generation and I'm told are quite a bit more effective. The bonnet is now more rounded out with two distinct parallel sinews running through it, and the accentuated nose all add up to a very contemporary yet subtle evolution of the Camry's form. Interestingly, India gets its own unique pattern for the grille that's different from the global version, but it's got a Lexus-ish flavour to it that I really think makes it look better. The rear gets a similar theme for the tail-lights and in profile there's a strong new shoulder line that adds to the fresh new aesthetic. The silhouette is fresher but squint and you'd still be able to tell that it is a Toyota Camry without ever seeing this new generation, and that is because underneath the skin a lot of the essential components have not really changed. It is still based on the TNGA-K platform and it roughly shares the same overall dimensions and most of the suspension components as the generation it replaces.
While I did still like the previous generation of the Camry, the interiors were far too dated to justify the price tag. In this new generation that part is now fixed. There's tan upholstery to replace the all-black interiors of the previous generation. There's a fresh new rework for the dashboard, with slats and piano black finished inserts. The layout has been edited too with the ac vents now moving to the lower section of the dash under the new climate control buttons. And of course, there's the 12.3-inch infotainment screen which is compatible for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is paired with a nine-speaker JBL sound system that sounds premium and clean. This generation would not be complete without a wireless charger, and that is there too except that it isn't a particularly fast wireless charger. The seats themselves like all previous generations of the Camry remain the highlight, well-bolstered, cushioned and comfortable for hours at a stretch and 10-way adjustable. This time around the front seats are ventilated making for easy hours in the driver's seat. The second row too is adequately kitted with power reclining seats, a separate climate zone for the rear ie 3-zone climate control, and an electrically activated rear sun-blind and a well-integrated control panel in the armrest to control all of these functions. There's also a boss function to free up even more legroom when you're being chauffeured. And for me, a special mention goes to the extra thick floor carpet that adds to the luxe factor simply by its texture and the way it makes you feel when you're on the inside. Those quietly effective touches of luxury that follow function are what have always endeared me to premium Toyotas and with this generation of the Camry that couldn't be truer. Even the black plastics that are far out of sight are soft and premium to the touch, something that not even a lot of Germans are doing in their cars these days.
Now while the powertrain remains largely the same in terms of displacement, the 2.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol and the paired hybrid system are now part of the latest global hybrid architecture. The combustion motor makes a total of 187bhp at 6,000rpm which is 9 more than it did on the previous generation, and continues to make 221Nm of peak torque. Combined with the electric motor the figure jumps to 230bhp which is 18 more than its predecessor. But to talk of jumps in power as if to indicate that the Camry is suddenly a driver-focussed rice rocket is folly. The power is adequate and enough to move the Camry from rest to a ton in about 7.2 seconds but when you're driving at pace you do get the sense that it's not really what the Camry enjoys doing. The Atkinson hybrid resonates with that adequate but not over-the-top philosophy that makes the Camry the car that it is, and it is best enjoyed slowly layering on the pace rather than in blue-collared fistfuls. This Camry quickly teaches that driving sedately works best with the powertrain and rewards you with efficiency. You still get the Eco, Sport and Normal driving modes, but within the city I've found the Eco mode that prioritises the e-motor to be the most enjoyable to drive with that instantaneous torque beating the rubber-band effect from the e-CVT. You do get 10-speeds to choose from on the paddle shifters when you really want to drive fast and it is fairly responsive as well, but it does feel out of character for the stately Camry. It exists for when you need it, but it's not something you're going to be reaching for often. Efficiency is great and with a mix of driving locations and a full testing cycle, the Camry returned a more than amicable indicated 20kmpl which is great for a 1.8-tonne sedan. The ride as always continues to be the Camry's strong suit and it does extremely well on bumps and even iffy road surfaces. The great sound damping in the cabin adds to the experience as well. The suspension system as a whole is creme de la creme and like on the previous generation, it continues to be an almost unbelievable mix of a supple ride with deceptively good dynamics. This time around Toyota has added to the Camry's safety suite with ADAS in the form of Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0. You get a forward collision avoidance function with pedestrian detection, adaptive and standard cruise control, lane-keep assist, a road-sign read-out and an automatic high beam function. I don't believe that ADAS is very useful to the Indian consumer but it is a well-integrated system and it works fairly un-intrusively with gentle judders at the wheel to indicate that you should probably stop driving like a yob.
Verdict
With a premium of just about Rs 1.80 lakh over the outgoing model, the ninth generation of the Camry is a full step forward in the evolution of the nameplate. This is a car that exudes the critical exactness of the Japanese way, being perfectly luxurious without being loud, and efficient without sacrificing on power or torque. The only question that Toyota ask is whether you're comfortable with yourself enough to enjoy the adequateness of a Camry or be cramped in a price-equivalent German.
2025-01-08T17:57:37Z