New Toyota Camry Sedan Brings Upgrades To Hybrid Technology, Safety and Specification

June 17, 2024

Toyota’s new-generation Camry sedan will be exclusively offered with the latest fuel-saving hybrid technology when the three-variant range arrives in Australia in the second half of 2024.

The revised Camry line-up will consist of the Ascent, Ascent Sport and flagship SL when it arrives in Australia – with the mid-range SX grade discontinued.

The new Camry brings significant upgrades across the board with improvement in safety, technology and driveability along with its dynamic new exterior styling based on Toyota’s ‘Hammer head’ design language.

The fifth-generation hybrid system fitted to every new Camry brings improvements to performance and efficiency while reducing component size and weight, aided by changes to suspension which promote enhanced handling capability.

Protection for occupants and other road users is enhanced with Toyota’s latest active safety technologies offered across the range, bringing new features along with improvements to existing safety equipment.¹

The Camry has long served Australian buyers wanting a blend of reliability and comfort, and remains the most popular and desirable choice for customers in the affordable medium passenger car segment.

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the movement to a hybrid-only powertrain lineup reflected the demand of Australian customers.

“The move to a hybrid-only Camry range reflects the popularity of hybrid with customers, who appreciate the impressive fuel consumption, smooth driveability and agile performance they provide,” Mr Hanley said.

“Camry is proof that there is still a market in Australia for sedans, especially when they offer the value, efficient performance and good looks buyers are after.

“Combined with the increase in safety equipment and technology, the space, comfort and reliability of the new Camry range ensures it will continue to resonate with private and fleet buyers alike.”

Despite being the entry point to the range, the Ascent offers strong specification for customers with an increase in standard equipment compared to the outgoing grade.

New features include Toyota’s latest multimedia system housed in an 8.0-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay®² and Android Auto™³ capability, a 7.0-inch colour multi-information display, two additional rear USB-C ports and an expansion of Toyota Connected Services⁴ functionality including remote A/C.

The Toyota Safety Sense suite of active safety technologies has been comprehensively upgraded with the addition of front and rear parking support brake, blind spot monitor, safe exit assist, rear cross-traffic alert, driver monitor camera and emergency driver support system added to the Ascent, along with improvements to the Pre-Collision System and active cruise control functionality.¹

Passive safety is also improved with the addition of front and rear parking sensors and a panoramic view monitor to make parking easier.¹

The Ascent grade also comes standard with new-look 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, fabric seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic power windows and an electronic parking brake.

The mid-range Ascent Sport grade introduces a new, expansive 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia display with inbuilt satellite navigation⁵ and wireless Apple CarPlay®²/Android Auto™³, which along with a wireless phone charger⁶ provides enhanced convenience for customers.

Other new additions to the Ascent Sport include high-grade LED headlights, daytime running lights and tail-lights and an electrochromatic rearview mirror, joining standard specification such as a premium leather steering wheel and shift knob, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, LED courtesy lamps and scuff plates.

The strongly specified SL flagship grade introduces welcome technology including a 12.3-inch fully digital multi-information display, digital rearview mirror, heated steering wheel, rear privacy glass, a rear camera washer and enhanced nanoe™X⁷ air purification technology which inhibits bacteria, viruses and unpleasant odours inside the cabin.

New-design 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic rain-sensing wipers and heated exterior mirrors with memory and reversing function separate the SL from the outside, while luxurious features like leather-accented upholstery, power steering wheel adjustment, a panoramic sunroof and a head-up display provide luxury worthy of a flagship grade.

Further comfort and convenience is provided on SL with heated and ventilated front seats, eight-way front passenger seat adjustment with lumbar support, steering wheel paddle shifters and a nine-speaker JBL®⁷ premium audio system which replaces the six-speaker system on Ascent and Ascent Sport.

The new Camry will become the first Toyota fitted with the fifth-generation 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain which brings wholesale benefits compared with the outgoing generation, enhancing driveability, acceleration and fuel economy ⁸.

The fifth-generation system features a compact transaxle with smaller and lighter components and a more powerful electric motor with double the number of magnets inside the rotor.

A new lithium-ion battery replaces the outgoing nickel-metal hydride battery, providing a more compact size, lighter weight and increased output.

The evolutionary design of the new Camry adopts the ‘Hammer head’ design concept introduced on the bZ4X and C-HR, with C-shaped headlights that combine with a lowered front face to give the Camry a sleek and aggressive look.

An expansive lower grille matches with the slim-look headlights, augmented with stylish horizontal bars that integrate into a diamond mesh pattern around the outer edges.

The Hammer head design is continued at the rear with a sleek tail-light signature and condensed rear end that provides a sharp and aerodynamic profile.

Inside the cabin, the new Camry features a revised interior design that integrates the centre display into the dashboard, flowing into horizontal slats that seamlessly transition to the passenger air vents.

More details on the new-generation Camry including local pricing will be made available closer to its Australian introduction in the second half of 2024.

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1 Driver assist feature. Only operates under certain conditions. Check your Owner’s Manual for explanation of limitations. Please drive safely.

2 CarPlay® is a trademark of Apple, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries.

3 Android Auto™ is a trademark of Google LLC.

4 Not available outside Australia, if services disabled or terminated or after 2033/Telstra 4G sunset (whichever comes first). Dependent on 3G/4G enabled DCM, GPS signal strength, mobile network coverage and other factors outside Toyota’s control which can limit ability or functionality of system. Check your Owner’s Manual or Toyota.com.au/connected for explanation of limitations. Please drive safely.

5 Coverage varies based on vehicle location.

6 Only Qi-supported devices compatible. Refer to device manufacturer. May require additional purchase of accessory to support wireless charging.

7 Product & company names are trademarks of their respective owners.

8 Results achieved for Camry hybrid in ADR81/02 combined drive cycle fuel consumption testing. Results produced in laboratory test conditions, using sample vehicles without fitment of accessories/customisation, & do not reflect real world driving. Figures should only be used for comparative purposes.