The Toyota Camry Hybrid has long been recognised for its reliability, efficiency, and practicality. With the 2024 iteration, Toyota aims to enhance its appeal by incorporating bold design elements and modern features, positioning it as more than a dependable sedan.
Verdict:
Then there's the price. At ₹48 lakh ex-showroom, the Camry Hybrid is not a bargain. But when you start comparing it to competitors, the picture changes. It isn't just competing with the Skoda Superb, which is noted for its spaciousness and European character. It also offers a more cost-effective alternative to luxury sedans such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series, and Lexus' own ES300h. That risky move makes sense when you consider what the Camry Hybrid has to offer. The question isn't whether the Camry Hybrid is exciting—it isn't. It doesn't have mind-blowing performance numbers or razor-sharp handling. Instead, the question is whether the Camry Hybrid makes sense.
And here it does. It's a car that offers efficiency, comfort, and quiet luxury to create a package that feels considerably more luxurious than the badge on it. It is not a car for everyone, but those who value refinement and utility will find it impossible to argue against. As you step back and look at the 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid, you notice it exudes calm confidence. It does not exaggerate its talents or pretend to be something it is not. It simply excels at what it was intended to do: provide an elegant combination of luxury, efficiency, and functionality. And in this, it achieves its brilliance.
Underneath the sculpted bonnet lies a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, paired with Toyota’s fifth-generation Hybrid System (THS 5). This duo produces a respectable 227 bhp, a modest but meaningful improvement over its predecessor. While the numbers may not set enthusiasts’ pulse racing, they speak volumes about the car’s efficiency, which is an impressive 25.49 kmpl in a package of this size and sophistication.
The CVT gearbox is quintessentially hybrid—silken and intuitive, if not particularly engaging. But the Camry isn’t trying to appeal to the thrill-seekers of the world. It’s about delivering an effortless and refined driving experience, a sanctuary on wheels. It operates with unflappable grace through the congested urban maze or cruising down a highway. What’s more surprising is how well it handles the contradictions of its role. Despite its size, the Camry Hybrid feels remarkably tight spaces, thanks to the 360-degree camera and a suite of parking sensors. Out on open roads, it has enough grunt to keep pace confidently, offering a sense of ease that belies its substantial proportions. It’s worth noting how seamlessly the hybrid system integrates into daily driving. Transitions between electric and petrol power are smooth, a testament to Toyota’s expertise in hybrid technology. The silent whirr of the electric motor at lower speeds is a particularly pleasing experience, giving the car an air of futuristic calm in bustling cityscapes. Push it harder, and the petrol engine responds with a refined hum rather than a harsh growl, maintaining the overall sense of sophistication.
Ride quality is another highlight. While tuned for comfort, the suspension strikes a delicate balance with body control. Potholes and uneven surfaces are dispatched with little drama, yet the car doesn’t feel floaty or disconnected when the road opens up. Even on huge speed breakers of Bangalore, we managed not to scrape the Camry in tricky situations. Steering feedback is light but precise, making the Camry easy to place on a roundabout or sweeping through a gentle bend.
Step inside, and the narrative becomes even more compelling. The cabin feels as though it was borrowed from a class above. A 12.3-inch touchscreen, sitting proudly in the dashboard's centre, is matched in size by the digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver. Both are sharp, responsive, and intuitive, although the absence of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in a car that gets wireless charging is an odd oversight. That aside, unfortunately, the nine-speaker JBL sound system isn’t as premium as the surroundings.
Rear passengers get pampered with luxury that might make even some German sedans envy. Reclining seats, complete with controls in the central console, provide comfort and a sense of control, including the ability to adjust the front passenger seat—a feature that the BMW 5-Series lacks. Manual blinds on the side windows, an electrically controlled rear sunshade, and a single-pane sunroof, combine to provide a sense of seclusion and openness. Ventilated front seats, meanwhile, are another tribute to comfort that some may overlook even in a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The attention to detail extends to climate control management, with a three-zone system ensuring that everyone finds the ideal environment. Toyota's attention to design appears everywhere. The attention to detail extends to climate control, where a three-zone system ensures that everyone finds their perfect microclimate. Toyota’s thoughtfulness in design is apparent everywhere. The new steering wheel for 2024 feels great in your hands, with paddle shifters to take over the CVT, and a 10-inch head-up display keeps critical data at your fingertips without interfering with your view of the road ahead.
Approaching the ninth-generation Camry Hybrid, one quickly realises it’s no longer the unassuming sedan many might recall. It’s built on Toyota’s acclaimed TNGA-K platform, underpinnings it shares with a few Lexus models. The design language is sharper, bolder, and more assertive than ever before. That gaping front grille has elements reminiscent of the Lexus LM luxury van, flanked by slender LED headlights, balancing aggression and elegance. The crisp lines along the flanks exude dynamism, while the new 18-inch alloy wheels lend it a sense of flair that feels distinctly un-Camry-like. Even the rear, with its wraparound taillights and judicious chrome accents, carries a quiet confidence. Our unit has the optional Sprint package, which includes a dual-tone paint finish while the alloys are blacked out. The spoiler in the back, blacked-out ORVMs, rear bumper garnish and ambient lighting on the inside complete this package. It’s the sort of design that might catch your eye in the reflection of a shop window, causing you to pause just for a moment.
Specs: Price: ₹48 lakh (ex-showroom). Engine: 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with Toyota’s 5th-gen Hybrid System (THS 5). Combined Power Output: 227 bhp and Torque: 221 Nm. Transmission: E-CVT with ten simulated steps. Fuel Efficiency: 25.49 km/l (ARAI rated).
