Toyota Camry review

The new Camry takes the place of the old Avensis in Toyota’s range, bringing a hybrid-only engine line-up and the associated low company car tax costs, reasonable economy and smooth, relaxed drive. Toyota’s big saloon majors in comfort and rides very nicely, while standard equipment is so good that you don’t need to venture beyond the entry-level model. Poor infotainment holds it back in this department, however.

Those who prioritise an exciting driving experience should look elsewhere: the Camry is pretty dull and doesn’t do anything to involve its driver. Rivals are more fun to drive, while an entry-level BMW 3 Series is better in almost every way bar standard kit and outright size.

Overall, the Camry’s good quality, decent value and hybrid powertrain keep it relevant in its class. It’s a sensible – if not exciting – choice.

Bearing a nameplate last seen in the UK around 15 years ago, the Toyota Camry is the Japanese manufacturer’s answer to large family cars like the Skoda Superb, Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport and Volkswagen Passat, but also crosses over into the territory of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4 and Lexus IS. The Camry sits somewhere in the middle of the Toyota family car range, priced higher than the Corolla Saloon and Prius Hybrid but starting at a similar level to the latest RAV4 SUV. 

The Camry is a traditional saloon with four doors and a large boot underneath a separate boot lid – something of a novelty in a class that’s occupied mainly by large hatchbacks. It feels like a throwback in this regard; a car from a time when the SUV revolution hadn’t happened. It’s large, spacious and very comfortable – but not terribly exciting.

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There are two Camry models to choose from: Design and Excel. Both are powered by the same 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid engine with a CVT gearbox; power sits at a useful 215bhp. Performance is fine for a car of this sort: 0-62mph takes 8.3 seconds.

Design models get an impressive level of standard equipment, including leather upholstery and just about every gadget you could ask for, including adaptive cruise control, sat-nav and front and rear parking sensors. Excel trim adds cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, wireless phone charging and an electrically adjustable steering wheel – but we’d recommend that you stick with the standard car and save around £1,300.

Toyota treated the Camry to a minor styling and trim update for 2021, although the pictures you'll see in this review were taken prior to the model refresh. The exterior and interior look almost identical to the outgoing model, but the biggest change is the new nine-inch infotainment system mounted on top of the dashboard. It replaces the centrally mounted seven-inch screen and adds support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.