Expert Review by Maxabout

Overview

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is a luxury executive sedan, therefore, it competes with the Skoda Superb and even ventures into the domain of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes A-Class. Yes, this Toyota has the same snob appeal, but it remains one of the few long three-box sedans with its own distinctive selling points, such as hybrid power, a concentration on rear-seat comfort, and so on, all of which we'll get to in a moment. Camry is Toyota's lone sedan in India, and its eighth-generation model currently gets visual changes and additional amenities.

Toyota Camry Design and Style

Toyota has created a massive and stunning electric-petrol vehicle. It is, without a doubt, a beautiful car, with the strong front grille adding to the beast's appeal. The car's new design language offers it an eye-catching presence and a commanding attitude. The Camry has 18-inch alloy wheels for enhanced ride comfort, which adds to its sportiness.

The elegantly styled DRLs provide excellent light, and they outfit the headlamps with a full-LED package, making the fascia look more beautiful than ever. Toyota also offers an electric sunroof in response to market demand. Like a hybrid car, its emblem has a blue inner lining that represents it as an electric-petrol self-charging automobile.

Toyota Camry Engine and Gearbox

2023 Toyota Camry is a self-charging hybrid vehicle with a 120 bhp permanent magnet synchronous motor, despite being driven by a 178 hp 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. This contributes to a combined power output of 218 bhp, and it is linked to an automatic transmission (CVT). It's truly a silent automobile, so quiet that the motor couldn't be heard inside, even with the blower turned on in this scorching heat. It's relatively quiet and elegant, and you won't notice whether it's powered by electricity.

If the charge isn't depleted, the car now starts in EV mode and displays a green EV indicator in the instrument cluster. Otherwise, it changes to the gasoline mill, with a very smooth transition. While coasting and braking, continual efforts for regeneration continue. Yes, this electric motor depends on the gasoline engine, but the hybrid system easily transitions between the IC engine and the electric power source. There is no jerk or jolt, which is excellent at city speeds for giving improved efficiency.

Toyota Camry Suspension, Brakes and Tyres

Toyota has suspended the new Camry on the MacPherson Strut at the front and Double Wishbone at the rear. Disc brakes handle the braking duties in front and rear with the aid of an Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist. Toyota Camry features newly developed 18-inch alloy wheels with a bright machined finish on a dark grey metallic base wrapped with 235/45-R18 section tubeless tyres.

Interior and Instrument Console of Toyota Camry

The inside has been modestly updated, with the dominant feature being a larger floating 9.0-inch infotainment screen that replaces the old integrated 8.0-inch screen. If you look closely, you'll find that they have moved the AC vents beneath the display. Then, to add to the appeal, there's a new trim finish for the dashboard, centre console, and even the armrests. The materials used are of decent quality, however, the design is obsolete. High-riding automobiles and SUVs have spoiled everyone because they are easy to enter and exit. The low stance of sedans, like the Camry, makes them difficult to access for the elderly.

The car has enough room for four people. Although it can fit a third person in the second row, it's best not to because the middle seat is upright and the transmission tunnel floorboard hump is uncomfortable. The remaining seats have plenty of legroom, are supportive, and can be adjusted electronically with the touch of a button. In fact, a dedicated touch display in the centre rear armrest may recline the rear seats. There's even an access hatch to get to the items stored in the boot. And with a capacity of 524 litres, all of your belongings will be kept out of sight but secure.

Key Features of Toyota Camry

For a single fully loaded grade, the new Camry is well-equipped. Its touchscreen infotainment system is paired with a nine-speaker JBL audio system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and it receives software updates. Cruise control, a reverse camera, an electric sunroof, a wireless charging pad, and even a head-up display are all standard features. There are also power-reclining rear seats, powered sunshades for rear passengers, and many other premium features. Compared to the rivals, it should have included some high-end feel-good elements, such as a 360 camera. Meanwhile, the safety features include nine airbags, ABS with EBD & BA, ESP, Parking Assist, Vehicle stability and Traction control (with Off switch), Hill Start Assist Control, ISOFIX and Top Tether Anchor for Child Seats and other features that one would expect from a car in its class.

Top Speed and Mileage of Toyota Camry

The ARAI-certified mileage of the new Toyota Camry is around 19 km/l and the Camry can speed up from 0 to 100 km/h in 10 seconds approximately and achieve a top speed of 190 km//h.

Toyota Camry Colour Options

Toyota offers the new Camry in 7 different colour options, namely Burning Black, Attitude Black, Graphite Metallic, Metal Stream Metallic, Silver Metallic, Platinum White Pearl and Red Mica.

Toyota Camry Competitors

2023 Toyota Camry hybrid's competitors include the Skoda Superb, Lexus ES 300 H, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series, Volvo S60, and Audi A4.

Conclusion

2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid, with its big cabin, features, efficiency, refinement, and overall ease of driving, can still compete with the market's new-age SUVs. Yes, it may not be as tall and will not ignore terrible roads. However, it is a sedan with excellent seats that is silent, stable, and comfortable to drive at highway speeds, making it an ideal grand-tour vehicle. It can relieve fatigue over a lengthy drive and also has a good overall safety margin. The Hybrid technology, therefore, helps to lower the carbon footprint while also improving the driving range. It is, in reality, a torch-bearer for the last few luxury sedans that anyone can suggest.