Hospital pass
In the same way Europeans default to a Ford Focus when they just want “a car”, most of the world defaults to the Toyota Camry – a biggish ‘sedan’ not offered here since the mid-Noughties, when it was axed for not selling well. I mean, why have a big Toyota saloon when you could have a Lexus? And why have a Lexus when you could have a Mercedes, BMW or Audi?
We didn’t think anyone missed it, especially now everybody wants SUVs anyway. But apparently we were wrong, because after a 15-year hiatus the Camry is back – a new saloon in a sea of crossovers. And from a company that only recently killed off its slightly smaller Avensis saloon because nobody was buying it. Huh?
Almost as big as a BMW 5-Series but cheaper than any 3-Series, in Europe the Camry is only available with the same kind of “self-charging” (eyeroll) hybrid drivetrain as a Prius. That means a four-cylinder engine, here of 2.5 litres, allied to a small electric motor with a CVT gearbox. Standard Toyota/Lexus stuff, for all its benefits and drawbacks. Efficient and thus cheap to run, but uninvolving.
Competitors are probably the Ford Mondeo Hybrid, which is terrible, and the VW Passat GTE plug-in, which is not.
Happily, the Camry isn’t terrible. But it is quite dull. Like the Lexus ES, with which it shares a platform and engine, only with all the quite interesting bits taken out – the styling, interior, a measure of refinement and perceived quality. Cheaper, though, as indeed you’d expect it to be.
To drive they are very similar – all CVTs are, though the Camry’s is among the least offensive. Quiet and calm around town or on a constant throttle, but still a bit coarse and
whiny when you need to pile on some speed. Otherwise it’s as inoffensive as they come – it rides well in a softly sprung, unsophisticated kind of way, handles tidily enough (though skinny eco tyres mean there isn’t a great amount of grip), and there’s no real wind or road noise to speak of. Manage your expectations and it won’t annoy you too much. But you simply won’t enjoy driving it, even in token Sport mode. It’s still just a means of getting from A to B.
Inside, it’s a mixed bag. Lots of space for people and things. Good driving position, comfy seats. But the infotainment system is dimwitted and missing functionality like Apple CarPlay, and many of the materials are as unpleasant to the touch as they are to look at. Some neat features, though, like a wireless charging tray that slides back to reveal a little cubby.
Toyota isn’t going to sell many of these in Britain – 500 or so in the first year, it says. And most people who end up with a Camry will not do so because they’ve chosen it, but because someone has foisted it upon them. Up to 80 per cent will go to big fleet buyers, who will love it for the fuel and tax savings brought about by the Prius-like powertrain (high-40s mpg is definitely achievable, provided you do the right kind of driving). The rest – a handful of cars – will end up with disenfranchised Avensis customers.
The Camry would make a great Uber or minicab – the seats are wipe-down leather as standard, the boot is massive and it’s really cheap to own/run – but if you’re an actual person, spending actual money on a car you have to live with dayto-day, there are more practical, desirable, interesting options.
“MOST WHO END UP WITH A CAMRY WILL NOT DO SO BECAUSE THEY’VE CHOSEN IT”