Medium car under $50,000

Toyota Camry Ascent Hybrid

The eighth-generation Camry heralds a new era for Toyota in Australia. It’s the first time in 30 years that the car-making giant has offered a fully imported Camry range to the Australian market.

The new Japanese-built sedan is available in four specification levels (Ascent, Ascent Sport, SX and SL) and three engines (2.5-litre four-cylinder, 2.5-litre four-cylinder/hybrid and 3.6-litre V6). And it’s the Camry Ascent Hybrid that has claimed the title of Best Medium Car Under $50,000 for 2018.

So how come the Camry soared from also-ran to usurp reigning champion, the Mazda6, in just over a year?

Put it down to a complete redesign and a sub-$30,000 RRP that is $500 less than the superseded equivalent hybrid model. Introduced to Australia in November 2017 immediately following cessation of Australian Camry production, the newcomer is the first sedan to adopt Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA), which the company says has transformed the way its vehicles are designed, engineered and packaged.

According to Toyota, TNGA “enables greater freedom in design, resulting in a more athletic profile with a lower roof and bonnet, a better driving position and improved dynamics due to its lower centre of gravity and greater torsional rigidity”.

TNGA packaging has allowed the nickel-metal hybrid battery to be moved from the boot area to under the rear seat, improving cargo space and positioning weight lower in the car.

The new 2.5-litre four-cylinder Dynamic Force Engine provides 11 per cent more power (now totalling 160kW) and four per cent more torque (now 423Nm), with thermal efficiency rated among the best in the world. And, a redesign of the hybrid system and new Auto Glide Control system has improved fuel economy to a class-leading 4.2-litres/100km.

Combined with a host of changes to the MacPherson strut front suspension and new rear suspension aimed at improving handling dynamics and ride quality, the boost in performance brings an element of unprecedented driving engagement to the Camry. Even the CVT has six quick-shifting ratios for manual-like gear changes, while a new sport drive mode has been added, delivering improved acceleration response relative to pedal input.

The latest safety technology is standard across the Camry range and includes a pre-collision system, autonomous emergency braking and lane departure alert with steering assist. Tick the boxes also for seven airbags, all-speed active cruise control, auto high beam and a reversing camera.

Connectivity and creature comforts include an upgraded multimedia system, 7.0-inch display audio with Toyota Link connected mobility, Optitron instruments, 4.2-inch multi-information display, power lumbar adjustment on the driver’s seat, dual-zone air conditioning, keyless entry/ignition and LED headlights.

The extensive engineering and design revisions found favour with Australia’s Best Cars judges, who agreed the Ascent Hybrid was class-leading for smoothness and quietness and equal class-leading for space and ride. It was also awarded top scores in the objective areas of fuel consumption (10 out of 10) and environment.

Significantly, the Ascent Hybrid also scored better than its Atara SL hybrid predecessor in terms of pricing, depreciation, insurance, seating comfort, performance and handling.

All up, this makes the 2018 Toyota Camry Ascent Hybrid a convincing winner and a smart new car buy.