The market for large cars may be shrinking but it's still an important segment for fleets, which buy 82 per cent of new cars. So Toyota's seventh-generation Camry can't afford to drop the ball.
What's new
Toyota's target was to restore its safety and quality reputation, improve dynamics, performance and fuel economy, and deliver a quieter and better-looking car. The new face is sharper, the body identical in size, but with a more dynamic outline and a cabin redesign that's more spacious, with rear passengers and the boot benefiting most. Luggage space increases 11 litres to 515 for the standard cars, and 32 litres to 421 for the hybrid, which has its batteries under the back seat.
A 2.5-litre engine replaces the 2.4, with 11 per cent better fuel economy at 7.8l/100km. That's a litre less for every 100km travelled than its predecessor, despite an increase in power to 133kW and 230Nm. There's no manual transmission, just a six-speed sequential shift auto - the S and SX with paddle shift. The hybrid also gets a power boost, while retaining its CVT auto, and better fuel economy, which is now 5.2l/100km.
A stiffer body with new aerodynamic features designed to encourage a flatter ride sits atop recalibrated dampers.
The company lineToyota NZ chief executive Alistair Davis says the economic story of the decade is the rise of Asia; "Thank goodness we live next to them and not Greece or Italy." With New Zealand's biggest markets being Australia and Asia, our export business is cushioned from Europe's economic woes, which is good news for our largely export-driven businesses.
