WHAT’S NEW

PRICE Expect the cost of all Camrys to go up as the new model is imported from Japan. The company has been subsidising the cost of the outgoing locally built model to help move cars and keep the factory open. Toyota will have to negotiate hard to bring the base hybrid here for $32,000, which is still up $1500 on the current car. TECHNOLOGY All Camrys pick up active driving aids, including autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure assist, auto headlamps and adaptive cruise control. The touchscreen also grows from 6.1 to seven inches in the base cars, with higher-spec versions using an eight-inch screen and head-up display. PERFORMANCE Claimed fuel use is down from 5.2L/100km to about 4.5L, despite the new Camry‘s marginal increase in combined power from 151kW to 155kW. The auto has been dropped in favour of a CVT; most won’t notice any difference. DRIVING The current Camry is competent; this one is convincing on the road. The rear suspension is now multi-link rather than struts and provides a more composed ride, at least on smooth US roads. Its new chassis helps it change direction with more conviction and precision. DESIGN Toyota has stamped its new “premium” approach all over the exterior, with sharp creases on most panels. The much-improved interior look and feel puts it on a par with the latest contenders in this class.