Skip advert
Advertisement

New Toyota Camry 2019: prices, specs and release date

Hybrid-only sister model to Lexus ES will head Toyota passenger-car range

Prices for the all-new Toyota Camry range have been revealed. The Camry, which is only available as a hybrid, starts at £29,995 and is available to order from Monday 1st April.

The Camry effectively replaces the Avensis saloon but has a higher starting price, partly because there aren’t any pure petrol or diesel models available. Toyota has equipped the Camry to take on high-spec versions of the Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport and Skoda Superb, as well as cars like the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Best hybrid cars you can buy

Design may be the ‘entry-level’ trim, but it’s hardly lacking on the equipment front. The Design model comes with luxuries such as leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic air conditioning and heated electric front seats. The technology count includes a digital instrument cluster, a seven-inch touchscreen, sat nav, reversing camera and DAB radio. LED headlights are also standard, along with 17-inch alloy wheels.

Toyota has loaded the Camry full of safety technology. All cars feature pre-collision assistance, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, road sign recognition and auto-dipping full-beam headlights.

Step up to Excel trim, and Toyota will also throw in blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. The Excel model also features 18-inch alloys, each with 20 spokes, plus LED projector headlights and wireless phone charging. The Excel model starts at £31,295 before any optional extras. Five paint colours are offered across both trim levels, including ‘Platinum White Pearl’ and ‘Graphite Shadow’.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The Toyota Camry nameplate has been absent from the UK for over a decade. It formerly belonged to Toyota's largest, most luxurious saloon – a car one size bigger than the Avensis of the time. The 2019 Camry promises to be an altogether more hi-tech car, with a 'self-charging' hybrid system.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Based on a variation of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform that also underpins the latest Toyota Prius, Toyota Auris and Toyota C-HR crossover, the Camry will combine a 2.5-litre petrol engine with a battery and electric motor. Toyota claims the new model will share the “fun-to-drive dynamic qualities" of its stablemates, with ride and handling "specifically tuned for the European market".

The hybrid combination produces 215bhp and official fuel economy figures of between 50.5 and 53.3mpg on the new WLTP cycle. Its CO2 emissions are rated at between 98 and 101g/km, but these figures are from the old and unrealistic NEDC cycle, so the real-world numbers may be higher.

The Camry's arrival brings Toyota's hybrid car line-up to eight models, ranging from the Toyota Yaris Hybrid supermini to the Toyota RAV4 SUV. Toyota isn't the only brand to be placing a strong emphasis on electrified cars – the latest Volvo S60 will be available only in petrol and hybrid form.

The British-built Toyota Avensis went into production in 2009, with updates in 2012 and 2015. The decision to end Avensis production came as a result of falling sales in the large saloon car market – although the all-new Peugeot 508 demonstrates that not every manufacturer is ready to give up in this category just yet. Toyota's plant in Derbyshire won't fall silent with the passing of the Avensis, though – it's set to become the home of Toyota Corolla production.

What can buyers expect from the new Toyota Camry? Well, it's a sister model to the next-generation Lexus ES, a front-wheel-drive model that is replacing the rear-drive Lexus GS later in 2019. Toyota promises plentiful interior space, with a curving, "driver-focused" dashboard.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The best car brands in the UK: Driver Power 2024
Driver Power Brands 2024
News
6 Aug 2024

The best car brands in the UK: Driver Power 2024

Toyota Land Cruiser review (2009-2023)
Toyota Land Cruiser driving
In-depth reviews
1 Mar 2024

Toyota Land Cruiser review (2009-2023)

Swoopy new Toyota Sport Crossover Concept to take on Polestar 2 in 2025
Toyota Sport Crossover Concept front-quarter
News
4 Dec 2023

Swoopy new Toyota Sport Crossover Concept to take on Polestar 2 in 2025

New Toyota Urban SUV Concept previews upcoming 2024 electric model
Toyota Urban SUV Concept front-quarter
News
3 Dec 2023

New Toyota Urban SUV Concept previews upcoming 2024 electric model

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
1 Nov 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

New Tesla Model Y set for a Model 3-inspired makeover in 2025
Tesla Model Y facelift render front quarter
News
31 Oct 2024

New Tesla Model Y set for a Model 3-inspired makeover in 2025

Ford Capri review – a comfortable, well-built EV
Ford Capri hero
In-depth reviews
29 Oct 2024

Ford Capri review – a comfortable, well-built EV

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024