When you do a roadtrip, and you don’t want an SUV, you want space, right? Toyota Camry Hybrid is restrained to the point of coma, but by gosh it is a comfy drive.

It has all the hallmarks of Camry models of the past, but has undergone a nip and tuck, with new tech being shoved into it to bring it up to snuff.

Outside:

The exterior is quite handsome, but still conservative.

Our base model had 17” alloys which I thought to be quite nice, but David thought old fashioned.

The lines are quite elegant, with a hint of LEXUS here and there. Camry looks long and low, as the most common type of car on the road now is an SUV. Blacksmith Bronze glistened like a jewel, and although I might not have been too keen on it in the first instance, I loved it in the sun.

The bootspace is huge (524L), and like the cabin doors are  accessed via key entry. If you have to get a key out of your pocket these days, you’re camping.

Get the specifications here: Camry_Spec_Data_Mar2021

Get the full Brochure HERE: Camry_Online_Brochure_April2021

Above: This Week 2021 Toyota Camry Ascent Hybrid FULL Review

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ABOVE: 2021 Toyota Camry Ascent Hybrid Review

Inside:

The Camry Hybrid cabin feels a bit grim at first glance. The seat fabric is a mix of rather dreadful synthetics that have the distinct whiff 50’s Private Eye suit about them. It was quite the surprise at just how comfortable it was.

Don’t let all that put you off though, it will probably outlast time itself.

Rear doors have hard plastic window sills, which always gets on my tits. It is as if the peeps in the poor pews don’t get a vote. There are vents and an armrest, and bags of space.

Up front, the asymmetric dashboard does my head in. I like things a little less random and I have a feel the concept drawings didn’t quite translate into reality as intended.

On the equipment front however, even this pov-model Camry Ascent had bags of gear. There is fancy AEB, and a system that warns you to wind windows up for better economy.  Driver aids include smart cruise control and active lane centering.

The atmosphere is relaxing, and above all, comfortable. After a few hours in the saddle, the upholstery seemed a little less dull. It’s funny how that works. Although the driver’s seat is manual, the lumbar support is electric, so a big thumbs up there.

The drive:

Full disclosure, our drive was only a few hundred kilometres. Covid-clipped wings in mind, we still have loads of time to tell whether or not Camry Ascent Hybrid was tickety-boo, and the good news is, it was.

Steering is nice and light, even in sport mode. EV mode is fun to aim for. Watching the energy metre lets you know exactly how you’re doing. I can be mesmerising so best not let it turn you into  zombie.

Around town Camry Hybrid rode nicely over the rubbish local roads. ON the highway, it just floated along blissfully. The hybrid system is self-charging so captures all that energy you’d normally waste by braking.

The cabin is reasonably quiet too.

Handling is not what I’d call sporty, but nor is it dreadful. It goes where you point it, but there is an ethereal feel to the drive experience. Occupants are isolated from the road which is a good thing, but the driver won’t get a lot of feedback.

The driver assistance systems are very subtle. Steering gently moves under your hands and gets cranky if it thinks you’re skiving off. It demands you grab the wheel forthwith.

There is a gentle bump as the petrol engine cuts in, but coasting through underground car parks is completely silent. It’s fun watching the looks on faces through the windows. Even after all this time, Toyota Hybrids still catch people by surprise.

The upper models have a nicer feel, there is no doubt about it. Leather and fake woodgrain just add that touch of verisimilitude. However, you pay for it as the top model costs over $13,000 more.

Power from the 160kw system is adequate for most people, but is no powerhouse. The petrol Ascent has a 2.5L engine too, but only 152kw, and is 3 grand cheaper. The base hybrid is going to be a company car for the budget conscience whereas private buyers are more likely to want something with a bit more pizzaz.

Conclusion:

Camry Ascent Hybrid was slow out of the gate. Had I only taken it for a short test drive, I’d probably have moved on. A week gave it a chance to grow on me, and I enjoyed the space a larger car affords. If all you want to do is haul a few friends around, it will do nicely.

Camry Hybrid is a neutral drive experience that most people could live with easily, and is much better value than the better equipped Corolla. Not only that, but Corolla is considerably smaller.

Sadly, Camry is in a segment that is shrinking faster than gentleman bits in the snow.

Price:

Ascent 2.5 petrol automatic $30,990
Ascent 2.5 hybrid CVT $33,490
Ascent Sport 2.5 hybrid CVT $36,290
SX 2.5 hybrid CVT $39,190
SL 2.5 hybrid CVT $46,990

Options17

Satellite Navigation (Ascent only) $1000
Premium paint $575

Engine: 2.5L petrol hybrid

Econ: 4.2L/100k

Trans: CVT (petrol only has an 8-speed auto)

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