After 15-years Toyota welcomes back the Camry

After a 15-year absence we welcome back the Toyota Camry,

After a 15-year absence from these shores, Alan Douglas welcomes back Toyota’s large saloon

The name Camry will ring a bell to those with a memory of Toyotas of the past, but it hasn’t been attached to one of the brand’s models, in the UK at least, since 2004.

Its disappearance reflected the changing market from midsize saloons to smaller hatchbacks or city cars, but now the pendulum has started to swing back, and it seems we are being attracted back to larger five - door cruisers once again.

What’s also made the difference are the huge advances made in hybrid technology which, by combining a petrol engine with an electric powertrain, make a big car a more economical and efficient prospect.

So Toyota have revived the Camry name and attached it to a very impressive large saloon which is the latest in the brand’s hybrid electric range.

It’ s also as a result of the company’s fresh design and engineering philosophy TNGA ( Toyota New Global Architecture) which puts the emphasis on driving dynamics and styling along with its established reputation for build quality, reliability and safety.

Being based on a new platform has given the designers and engineers the opportunity to re-evaluate every aspect of a car of this size from the ground up.

This has led to the biggest change ever for a model from one generation to another.

First of all, it’s a lot bigger, similar in size – and specification – to the BMW 5 Series or Mercedes E Class, but is aimed at competing more with the likes of the Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia or Mazda 6.

To my mind, it’s won that contest even before going on sale in July. Having said that, Toyota say sales are expected to be little more than 500 or 600 a year to discerning customers.

The hybrid technology is first class, delivering economy figures of around 53mpg and 101g/km CO2 emissions, which for such a big car with a twoand-a-half-litre petrol engine is quite remarkable.

The ride is beautifully smooth and very quiet, thanks a lot to a lot of work to combat noise and vibration. That includes insulation in the bonnet and front wings to absorb sound from the engine, a thicker dash silencer mat and vibration-damping coating on the underfloor.

The interior design is a big departure from what we’ve come to expect from the Japanese brands which in the past have been simple and functional with little panache.

It has a nice flowing look with a curved dash and driver-focussed display through two seven-inch screens, but I wasn’t taken with the “tiger-eye” trim in the Excel version.

Where the car scores, apart from its efficiency credentials, is in its space for passengers and luggage. The boot is one of the most cavernous I’ve seen and swallows cargo with ease into its deep void.

The seats have been designed for great support to reduce fatigue on long journeys – an essential element for a marathon cruiser like this.

There are acres of legroom all round – especially for rear passengers who can spread out with plenty of space, including headroom.

There are only two trim levels, Design and Excel, and they share the same powertrain and running gear. The lower level is a fiver off £30,000 and comes with 17-inch, nine-spoke alloys, heated and powered leather seats, reversing camera, parking sensors, satnav, Bluetooth, DAB radio and a catalogue of safety features.

Excel is £1300 more and upgrades to 18-inch 20-spoke alloys, LED lights, blind spot monitor, wireless phone charging tray and Intelligent Clearance Sensor to warn of hidden obstacle.

Both versions also have Toyota’s new dual-zone ventilation system which purifies the air by releasing particles of negatively-charged ions wrapped in water molecules through the dashboard vents.

The designers claim it has a gently moisturising effect on skin and hair and creates a refreshing cabin atmosphere.

I’m not sure I noticed the difference, but the cabin – and the whole car itself – is a great place to be and I’m not sure why anyone would be tempted to look at the more expensive equivalent model from Toyota’s upmarket brand, Lexus.