Toyota Camry (2019 – 2021) Review
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Toyota Camry (2019 – 2021) Verdict
Genuinely frugal. Relaxing to drive around town. Comfortable and spacious.
Only available as a saloon. Poor infotainment.
Find out more about the Toyota Camry (2019 – 2021)
A successor to the Avensis, the Toyota Camry is a hybrid rival to the Ford Mondeo and Skoda Superb, as well as attempting to compete with premium models such as the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series.
On the face of it, the Camry's near-£30,000 start price is expensive compared to mainstream alternatives, but you do get a lot of equipment for the money. And the Camry feels very nearly as premium as the closely-related Lexus ES. The Camry's line-up is rather limited, offering just one engine and a choice of two trim levels
Said engine is a 2.5-litre petrol combined with an electric motor, capable of setting off under electric power alone and officially returning more than 50mpg while emitting less than 100g/km.
It offers a very refined drive, both around town and on the motorway. It's in its element at low speeds, where the comfort-focused suspension soaks up lumps and bumps without a fuss and the light steering makes negotiating city traffic a piece of cake.
While the CVT gearbox isn't any less frustrating than our experience in other cars, trying to hustle the Camry along still feels unnatural. Once up to speed, though, it's a perfectly refined cruiser, with little in the way of wind or road noise on the motorway.
Despite only being offered as a saloon, the Camry is a fairly practical car. Its 524-litre boot is almost as big as a Ford Mondeo's, while the interior feels rather roomy. Adults sat in the back are unlikely to find themselves wishing for more space - good news, as the Camry has the potential to be a very popular private hire car.
Up front, the seats are very comfortable and the materials used all feel of reasonable quality. The one big let-down is in the form of the seven-inch touchscreen media system, which offers old-fashioned graphics, clunky operation and no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. It simply isn't good enough in a car that's intended to rival premium manufacturers.
Still, many Toyota buyers rank reliability as more important than technology and we have no reason to believe the Camry won't be every bit as dependable as we're used to from the brand. Combine that with a car that's comfortable, cheap to run and relaxing to drive, and the Camry makes a strong case for itself.
Reviews for Toyota Camry (2019 – 2021)'s top 3 rivals
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Toyota Camry (2019 – 2021) handling and engines
Unlike plug-in alternatives such as the Skoda Superb iV, the Camry is a conventional hybrid - or 'self-charging', in Toyota terminology.
While its electric range is limited to a couple of miles at most, the Camry's hybrid system means it can offer diesel-like economy - between 50.4mpg and 53.3mpg according to official figures. Our experience suggests this is quite realistic in the real world.
An obvious perk of the self-charging system is that you don't have to faff around with wires and plugs, the Camry instead taking power from the 2.5-litre petrol engine and recuperating energy under braking.
It's a relaxing car to drive, particularly around town. The ability to set off under electric power means you don't have to deal with the rumble of a combustion engine stopping, starting or idling in stop-start traffic.
The combined output of the petrol engine and electric motor is 218PS, but don't go thinking this is a high-performance saloon. It uses a CVT automatic gearbox which, while reliable, is usually unpleasant to use compared to a conventional or dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
CVT gearboxes normally create an unpleasant noise during hard acceleration, but the Camry's system mimicks a six-speed automatic gearbox. As a result, it's a pleasant enough gearbox to use, and power is always on hand as soon as you press the accelerator.
While it will pick up pace comfortably enough, it's a car that rewards a more laid-back driving style. At a steady 70mph, little in the way of wind or road noise makes its way into the cabin, and the ride quality is very good.
On twistier roads, the Camry remains composed, but it's not a car that's eager to be driven enthusiastically. It provides a reasonable amount of grip and it doesn't lean too much, but the steering feels pretty distant from the front wheels and you're not going to have a great deal of fun throwing it around.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 Hybrid | - | 8.3 s | 98–101 g/km |
Toyota Camry (2019 – 2021) interior
- Euro NCAP rating of five stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4885 mm |
| Width | - |
| Height | 1445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2825 mm |
Toyota's limiting its market for the new Camry by only offering it as a saloon rather than a hatchback or an estate. It's fairly practical, though, with loads of room inside and a competitive 524-litre boot.
Indeed, the Camry's particularly impressive in the back seats, where two adults will be perfectly comfortable for long journeys. A sloping roofline means tall adults might have to adopt a slightly hunched-over seating position, but anyone else will enjoy the large, comfortable seats and decent view out of the side windows.
Up front, the seats are equally supportive, and there's plenty of electric adjustment (including lumbar support) as standard on both Design and Excel models. Even at its lowest, the driver's seat is slightly higher than you may expect, but this helps visibility out of the car.
There are plenty of premium materials used in the Camry's cabin, but the small touchscreen media system in the centre of the dash surrounded by plastic buttons does bring you back down to earth. The system is one of the worst on the market, with dated graphics and complicated functionality. There's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto at the time of writing either, although Toyota says it's working on this.
It's frustrating as, media system aside, the Camry's interior as immeasurably better than the old Avensis and feels more upmarket than mainstream rivals like the Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport.
In terms of specification, both models are well-equipped. Inside, a wireless phone charger aside, there's not much difference between the Design and Excel. Even the entry-level model comes with heated leather seats and the aforementioned navigation system, but it's also more expensive than a top-spec Mondeo Hybrid, so we wouldn't expect anything less.
Standard specification (August 2019):
Design features 17-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, power-retractable door mirrors, smart entry and push-button start, LED front and rear lights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, automatic high beam, adaptive cruise control, black leather, Toyota Touch 2 with Go navigation, Bluetooth plus electric and heated power-adjustable front seats.
Excel adds 18-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, LED indicators, LED rear brake lights, power-adjustable steering wheel, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rear cross traffic alert with brake assist, blind spot monitor and a wireless phone charger.
Toyota Camry (2019 – 2021) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4885 mm |
| Width | - |
| Height | 1445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2825 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1635 kg |
| Boot Space | - |
| Warranty | |
| Servicing | - |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | - |
| Insurance Groups | - |
| Road Tax Bands | A–B |
| Official MPG | - |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | 5 |
| Saloon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 2.5 VVT-i Hybrid Design CVT 2WD 4dr | - | - | 8.3 s |
| 2.5 VVT-i Hybrid Excel CVT 2WD 4dr | - | - | 8.3 s |
Model History
- June 2018: Toyota to reintroduce Camry
- March 2019: Toyota Camry prices announced
- April 2021: Updated Toyota Camry priced from £32,260
- May 3019
June 2018
Toyota to reintroduce Camry
Toyota announced it is to reintroduce the Camry to the UK market after a 14-year absence, launching a new self-charging hybrid electric model to maintain the company’s presence in the large and executive saloon market.
Its arrival during 2019 will increase Toyota’s European hybrid line-up to eight models, spanning the motoring spectrum from the Yaris supermini to the RAV4 SUV.
Camry will return in its all-new, eighth generation form, showcasing the engineering and design benefits of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). The TNGA platform is central to achieving strong “fun-to-drive” dynamic qualities together with alluring styling, precision build quality, highly efficient packaging and the use of innovative, user-friendly technologies.
As a result, Camry advances all the core qualities that have made it so popular to date, including segment-leading quality, durability and reliability, quiet running and superb ride quality. To this are added head-turning interior and exterior design, even higher comfort levels, a state-of-the-art powertrain and more driving pleasure, thanks to ride and handling specifically tuned for the European market.
An extended roofline ensures comfortable cabin dimensions, while compact side glazing contained with the wheelbase gives Camry a stylish and sporting appearance.
The interior fuses style, comfort and craftsmanship. In the front, a curving dashboard encloses an ergonomically excellent, driver-focused cockpit. In the rear, passengers are provided with spacious and comfortable accommodation.
March 2019
Toyota Camry prices announced
Already on the streets in significan numbers in countries such as Thailand, the new Camry will be available in the UK two equipment grades – Design and Excel. On-the-road prices are £29,995 for the Design version and £31,295 for the Excel.
The Design comes as standard with 17-inch nine-spoke alloy wheels with 215/55 R18 tyres, leather upholstery, LED headlights, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, smart entry and push-button start, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, heated and power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support, seven-inch TFT multi-information display and Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system with seven-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth and DAB.
Toyota Safety Sense active safety systems are also included in the package, comprising Pre-Collision Safety system with pedestrian detection, Adaptive Cruise Control with full speed range following, Lane Departure Alert with steering assist, Road Sign Assist, Sway Warning and Automatic High Beam.
The Camry Excel builds on this specification with 18-inch 20-spoke alloys with 235/45 R18 tyres, LED fog lights, LED dual-beam projector headlights, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, wireless charging tray, Intelligent Clearance Sonar and Lane Change Assist.
There are five body colour options at launch, including new Platinum White Pearl and Graphite Shadow shades.
Camry’s hybrid system delivers 215PS and CO2 emissions from 98 to 101g/km, according to model grade, (NEDC correlated data), with combined cycle fuel consumption from 50.5 to 53.3mpg (WLTP data). Orders open from 1 April 2019 with customer deliveries from 1 July 2019.
April 2021
Updated Toyota Camry priced from £32,260
A new front bumper design gives Camry added street presence, with a chrome frame contrasting with the arrangement of black horizontal bars. At the rear, the design of the light clusters has been gently altered.
Both Camry grades have new alloy wheel designs: 10-spoke silver 17-inch wheels for the Design model and a multi-spoke design with a machined finish for the Excel’s 18-inch rims.
Inside, there’s a new leather upholstery design and the power-adjustable front seats in the Excel model gain ventilation and memory functions in addition to the heating and lumbar support that is already standard across the range.
Simple smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto has been made a standard Camry feature. Safety upgrades include the addition of Lane Trace Assist to the Toyota Safety Sense package and a location function for the tyre pressure monitoring system.
New features exclusive to the Camry Excel include a Panoramic View Monitor, giving the driver a 360-degree view of the area immediately around the car when manoeuvring in confined places; a useful automatic tilt action on the door mirrors when reversing; and paddle shifts mounted on the steering wheel. The power-adjusting steering wheel itself now comes with a heater and a memory setting.
The Excel also gains a larger, nine-inch display for the Toyota Touch multimedia system; the seven-inch screen is retained for Design grade.
The established Camry specification includes dual-zone automatic air conditioning, front and rear parking sensors, LED headlights (low beam only for Design), daytime running lights and front fog lights and satellite navigation. Excel grade features include rear privacy glass, wireless charger, smart entry, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Monitor.
The 2021 Toyota Camry is on sale now. On-the-road prices are £32,260 for the Design model and £34,830 for the Excel.
May 3019
Toyota five year warranty can now be extended to seven years for £495, including MoT and Toyota Roadside Assistance.
