Honda CR-Z Sport vs Toyota Camry

The premium over the standard petrol models is generally about $2000 for fuel-saving diesels and up to $6000 for miserly hybrids. There's no petrol Honda CR-Z model to compare so value depends on the importance buyers place on being seen to be green. Loads of equipment but the lack of Bluetooth streaming is a sore point.

Finally a hybrid that competes with diesel for value, though you'll still need to do a lot of kilometres to make it a money-saving proposition. Congrats to Toyota for joining Subaru with free metallic paint. Value is aided by the extension of the $130 capped price servicing deal to five services over four years and up to 75,000km

This is a "mild hybrid" - the electric motor never works alone but assists the petrol engine which produces 91kW/167Nm. There are three engine mapping modes - sport, normal and eco - although it is difficult to feel any extra "go" in sport mode. Consumption is a meagre 4.7L/100km, due in part to the stop-start function.

The 2.5-litre four-cylinder and electric motor combine for more power than the petrol model, yet it achieves 5.2L/100km. It features three drive modes, each with a substantial difference in performance feel. It also comes with a host of tech and creature features such as smart entry and start and a large-screen reversing camera

This 2+2-seater is eye candy. Inside, however, the designers have used a scatter-gun approach with too many buttons, dials, gauges and displays all over the cockpit. Build quality is good yet it looks a bit cheap and out of date.

It still looks like a rental car but the interior has taken a leap forward. Stacks of rear legroom for three adults and the boot now has more space - the DC converter is at the front and the battery is 100mm further forward

It gets a full five ANCAP stars with six airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control, brake assist, active head restraints, EBD and LED daytime running lights. But the rear vision is badly restricted by the split tailgate and the wiper doesn't give full sweep coverage.

It is expected to get five ANCAP stars with its seven airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control, reversing camera, parking sensors, hill start control and brake override. Vision is superb and the brakes and handling give the driver plenty of confidence.

You sit low in the cockpit, giving the driver an impression of a dynamic drive, but the engine can't deliver, the steering lacks feel, the handling is less than enthusiastic and the ride can be punishing. Cabin noise is intrusive, especially when the engine finally comes on song at high revs.

We expect a Camry to be quiet, refined and smooth and so it is, only more so. But we didn't expect it also to be an engaging and relatively sporty drive. The steering now has feel and feedback, the body sits flat in corners, throttle response is crisp and the suspension copes well with the lumps and bumps.