ToyoTa’s solid aTTempT aT d-segmenT

WITH sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and crossovers flooding the market in recent years, carmakers are unavoidably abandoning or switching their focus away from sedans, especially the bigger ones.

While B- and C-segment sedans still find their ways to consumers, it is hard to justify the sale of D-segment sedans.

A large number end up becoming fleet cars for corporate use. And these are the “regular” brands we are talking about, because premium brands still have their limousines with their latest gizmos and brand images.

But it is interesting to find that companies like Mazda, Kia, Honda and Toyota still put in a lot of efforts into making full-size sedans.

The new Toyota Camry, being the newest model among the rivals, is down to some serious business to keep up in the game.

Yes, the previous Camry was not too inspiring especially to younger buyers; it just delivered a package that works well but that’s about it. No X-factor.

This time, the new Camry is built around the company’s Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) with double wishbone rear suspension. It was developed to provide safety, stability and agility.

This particular platform is the same one that underpins the stylish C-HR.

Although having the all-new plat

form is seriously impressive in an engineering aspect, the most compelling feature about the car that will appeal to the majority of consumer is the exterior look.

I have to say that I like the way this new Camry looks. It appears sharper with lots of prominent lines and more dynamism, as if it is eager to tackle the corner up ahead and is rather sporty.

The car seems to borrow some design elements from its bigger American sibling - the Avalon - especially at the rear, which is nicely-executed.

It’s equipped with full LED headlights with daytime running lights, 18inch alloys, LED tail lights, twin tailpipes, and a beautifully sculpted spoiler.

In the interior, the Camry gets the usual comfy specs like smart entry with push-start system, leather seats with power-adjustable front seats with driver’s side memory function, front passenger side shoulder switch or the “boss buttons”, rear side windows sunblinds and powered rear sunshade.

In addition, the new Camry is also equipped with leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, coloured multi-info display in the instrument panel, eight-inch centre display with JBL audio system, coloured head-up display and wireless charger.

Safety is governed by a host of items that granted the car a 5-star Asean NCAP rating. This includes seven airbags, traction control, stability control, blind spot monitor (BSM), tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), pre-collision system, lane departure alert (LDA) with steering assist, dynamic radar cruise control and rear cross traffic alert.

At the moment, the new Camry is available in CBU (fully-imported) form with the 2.5V being the sole variant.

With that said, the car comes with an unusually steep price, at RM196,888. This makes it the costliest one in the segment, even more expensive than the smooth Mazda6 and the potent Volkswagen Passat.

So, is the new Camry any good? Can it justify the premium price tag it carries?

Well, to some extent. Yes, the new Toyota Camry is a huge step-up from before but I must say, it is just not quite up there yet.

Let’s start with the positives. As mentioned before, the new Camry is simply stunning to look at. I dare to say that if you come up behind the car