2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid ZR review

It might be thought of by some as no more than a taxi but the latest Toyota Camry is better than that. It’s quite the surprise package.

Calm yourselves people. We know the excitement is hard to contain when it comes to the Toyota Camry. But it is the great survivor.

The full-size sedan has all but disappeared in New Zealand. All the old Camry rivals have fallen by the wayside over the years; Maxima, Mondeo, Accord, Sonata and more recently the Mazda6.

Some of these models still exist, just not here. There are a few four-doors lingering in the luxury realm, like the BMW 5 series and E-Class, though these you wouldn’t consider natural rivals.

Although the Camry actually competes well in some areas; it has outstanding levels of refinement and comfort while its overall specification would make those two blush considering the price they charge.

And it’s much better than its reputation as just another taxi. When we parked it amongst the ranks of cabbies, it garnered plenty of attention.  

Back again

Camry renews for another generation, the ninth, we think (we’ve lost count). It’s still a large car, and only available with four doors.

And, like most Toyotas, it can only be had here as a petrol electric, packing the latest fifth-gen hybrid system.

That sees a 2.5-litre four-cylinder paired with an electric traction motor and other hybrid gubbins to deliver a substantial power output now totalling 170kW. And yet it’s capable of 4.5L/100km. 

There are three model grades, all mechanically the same, differing in specification alone. The range starts at $49,990 for the Toyota Camry Hybrid GX, the SX is $52,990 while this ZR you see is $57,990.  

Big all round 

The back seat is where most people will experience Camry, for it is adored by the taxi and ride sharing community. Here you’ll find an easy entry, a comfortable bench and generous legroom.

The ZR comes with a full length glass roof yet headroom is not compromised. The finishing back there is impressive too, soft in all the right places.

Camry has room aplenty for the extras, the boot big enough to lug bodies, the only restriction being the height of the opening. It’s generous in width, so those golf clubs should fit easily.

It’s deep enough as well, with a split folding rear seat for the longer items. There’s a spare wheel underneath if you look under the set of tools on top.

While this is fitted with a tow bar, it doesn’t haul much with a 400kg max.

Almost luxury like

Behind the wheel, Camry ZR entices with a blend of practicality and semi-premium aspirations.

As the top model, it comes with the extras like vented and heated seats, a wheel warmer and leather trimmed seats (with electric adjustment on both sides of the cabin).

The design is appropriate, it’s traditional to suit the buyer, with just a touch of flair. There are configurable dials, although there is a bit of faffing about to change them.

The infotainment system is straightforward; it’s not overburdened with tasks. It sorts your connectivity (wirelessly too) and will get you places with standard-fit sat nav.

Setting the temperature is a straightforward process with a handy row of real buttons and we know you’ll like the gear lever; it’s ever so conventional.

You’ll also find practical storage space, and a solid build quality. If we are picky, the seat could up its comfort game, being a bit firm, but it doesn’t lack for adjustment.

And maybe the button to bring up the surround view camera (excellent resolution BTW) could be better placed; it’s concealed down to the right of the wheel.

Safe and refined 

It’s packing all the safety assists, a long list of acronyms to keep you safe from yourself. Chief among those is the driver monitor that issues a discreet warning should your gaze wander from the road for too long.

The Camry will help keep an eye on the speed limit too, which can be helpful while it doesn’t beep warnings all the time should you find yourself a few kays the wrong side of legal.

The adaptive cruise is smooth enough in stop-start traffic, but the Lane Tracing Assist (which helps keep you in the middle of the lane) is pedantic, so it’s best turned off.

There are two aspects to the Camry you’ll like; its refinement and its economy. The hybrid powertrain is laden with easy torque for mooching about, and it’s smooth in its delivery.

When the engine is working, it beavers away relatively quietly, without much need to peak above 2000rpm in traffic, 3000 if you’re quick away from the lights. It is often not doing anything at all, the motor keeping you trucking.

And that helps ease the fuel use, which is relatively easy to get under 5.0L/100km. It was sitting around 6.2L/100km after the more rigorous part of our testing, but after a re-trip and a week of ‘normal driving’, it settled at 4.8L/100km. 

Camry rides well too, one of the plusher set ups we have encountered in a while, certainly for something without the aid of adaptive dampers.

It soaks up both potholes and the rigours of speed humps equally well. The steering is easy going, the assistance smooth and it’s relatively quick. The turning circle isn’t grand, but it’s a big car afterall. 

Secretly sporty 

There is a third aspect to the Camry’s repertoire that most will never get to appreciate and that’s how well it goes. Camry has never had any sporting ambition, though they did try with the ‘Sportivo’ but that fooled no-one.

The past few generations have been rather competent, and this one is surprisingly agile for what is a large and refined machine. It keeps itself tidy at both ends, the front fending off understeer.

While the steering is a little isolated, the Camry heads into the turns willingly. The balance between the roll control and ride impresses too. You have to go bonkers before it’ll start complaining.

Even the braking performance isn’t bad with a good feel at the pedal for a hybrid. The powertrain response is naturally better in Sport, and it has a decent turn of speed when you nail it. 

But would you buy it? 

Camry is one that is really quite hard to fault. A pity most will give it a swerve simply because it is not an SUV.

It’s reasonably well priced in today’s inflation-ravaged market, has everything extra you’d want, is easy to drive, comfortable, refined yet powerful when it needs to be and it is super economical for a big car.

Some small cars can’t replicate its thrift.  

It deserves better than its reputation as a good taxi. Lexus won’t have a hard task converting this to the ES; all they need to do is line it with more leather and stick the L badge on the front.

Oh, and maybe add some extra padding for the seat.  

This article first appeared in the November 2024 issue of NZ Autocar magazine.