It has soft pillowy doormats like a Rolls Royce! Tell me what’s not to like! The first word which comes to the mind upon hearing the word ‘Camry’ is normal. But the new Camry is a rebel and not afraid of being her own self. Just look at her. She has evolved from wearing a pair of jeans and shirt to rocking a stylish dress. Okay, enough of the metaphor but the new Camry looks sharp and elegant in its design unlike the simple smiley design of the past. It already stands out by the virtue of being a sedan in a SUV-driven market. The sleek lights, sharp bodylines and a futuristic design all add up to make it a head-turner.
But, that’s not the entire story. The back-seat is where the party is. You are pampered like a baby and it puts other luxury cars to shame. The seats can be reclined at a perfect angle for those naps during long road-trips. Don’t ask me how I know that. The central armrest folds down to reveal touch-buttons to control the seats, media and climate control. The leg-room is generous. The suspension is compliant and soaks in the bumps without any unnecessary body motions. In other words, you are meant to be driven in it.
The interior is chocolaty brown and it makes the cabin feel upmarket. The build quality is proper Toyota; a no-nonsense ergonomic approach that will last forever. But make no mistake, it is luxury on the inside. It feels understated and elegant. A 12.2 inch touchscreen display is the centrepiece of the dash and thank God, it has physical buttons for the AC controls. The front-seats are ventilated and cooled for those ferocious Indian summers.
Drive it and umm, it’s boring. It is powered by a 2.5l hybrid engine producing 227 hp. You are never left wanting for more as the vibe of the Camry is calm and sedate. It is paired to an e-CVT gearbox. Boring. The hybrid powertrain returned a jaw-dropping 15 kmpl in fuel economy after driving like a lunatic.
The Toyota Camry is a complete package when it comes to a luxury sedan. Plush interior? Check. Rear-seat comfort? Check. Soft ride quality? Check. And as a bonus, it returns some pretty strong fuel economy figures too. But, if all cars were perfect, then I would be jobless. So, being a petty person, I have to nitpick on a few things. The sound system could be a lot better and the panoramic sun-roof would be a great addition. With a price-tag of Rs. 58 Lakhs (on-road Mumbai), this is not exactly a steal but you are getting your money’s worth. Personally, I am sold on those soft comfy doormats.
