Driving the latest Toyota Camry sedan, the mid-range Ascent Sport in the
latest three model range at $42,990 plus on-road costs – now with Toyota’s
fifth generation hybrid system in a refreshed body with a revamped interior
and centre console and a nice choice of fabrics that give it more of classy
feel. As I said earlier, this latest Camry has more of a feel of Toyota’s luxury
brand Lexus. Sedan’s may not be on your radar but for those that like a
sedan over an SUV the Camry Ascent Sport will not disappoint.
Serviceability and reliability have always been a Camry high point – I was
recently in a Camry hybrid taxi that had covered 440,000km still on its
original engine and transmission, still on its third set of brake pads. The
latest hybrid powertrain impressive – i managed 4.4L/100km, the only
downside perhaps the needs for 95 octane unleaded – the hybrid system
smooth, exceptionally quiet and responsive. Five-star safety plus a stack of
active safety elements, a 360-degree camera and wireless phone charging.
Dislikes the small 7-inch instrument display, the top line SL model gets a
12.3-inch unit while the steering wheel controls could be more user
friendly. Otherwise, a very refined sedan for the money.

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The Toyota Camry has been around a long time - a medium sedan that just
seems to get more refined with each new model – built locally from 1987 to
2017, imported since and fully hybrid since late last year like the rest of
Toyota’s passenger car range. The current three model Camry sedan range
consists of the Ascent, Ascent Sport and SL models prices starting at
$39,990 plus on road costs and running to $53,990. I tested the Ascent
Sport $42,990. And what an exceptional car this is – frankly having not
driven a Camry for some time I came away impressed with its refinement.
Before I get into the performance, the build quality, styling elements an
material inside of this medium sized sedan felt more like Toyota’s luxury
brand Lexus. Sedans may not be in vogue, SUV’s, last month reaching 60.5
per cent of total new car sales, however the Camry Ascent Sport at $42,990
is outstanding value – there’s a lot of equipment for that money, the interior
classy and roomy with a restyled dash and centre console while overall
Toyota’s fifth generation hybrid system is quieter, smoother, more fuel
efficient in a body that now has real character.

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There’s now only one diesel powered medium sized SUV on the market
and fortunately it will be here for a while – the 2025 Kia Sportage remains
the last medium SUV with diesel power proving the most popular
powertrain in the Sportage SUV line-up. Diesel power currently represents
36 per cent of Sportage sales growing from 30 per cent for most of last
year. And despite the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard penalties coming
into effect on July 1 Kia suggests the diesel option will remain for some
time, the company able to offset penalties by achieving credits from its
popular EV3 and EV5 models as well as a growing number of hybrids. The
current 2.0-litre turbo diesel remains popular with its 416Nm of torque
giving it a very relaxed performance - well suited to the four-wheel drive
only diesel range.

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