Toyota Camry News

Toyota sold less than 1000 examples of its electric bZ4X SUV in the past year, and the company said that shows its strategy was right all along.Electric car sales grew by only 4.6 per cent in Australia last year to 91,292, despite a wave of new models and heavy price discounting on current vehicles.Hybrid sales jumped 76 per cent and plug-in hybrid sales more than doubled. Toyota sold more than 118,000 hybrids or about two thirds of all hybrids sold in Australia.The Toyota RAV4 was the second best-selling vehicle in 2024 and sales of Corolla, Corolla Cross and Camry all boomed.Toyota Australia’s Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley, said it hasn’t fallen behind competitors that have rapidly expanding electric car ranges.“I certainly don’t think anyone has got the jump on Toyota, because that’s suggesting that Toyota got it wrong,” said Hanley.“Toyota didn’t get it wrong. Toyota got it exactly right. I mean, I’d hate to have 20,000 EVs sitting in my yard right now. I’d hate to have 10,000, right. The reality is we got it perfectly right. “Does that absolve us from having to decarbonise? No it does not. It’s just that we’ve read, I believe, the market right,” he said.Hanley said some of the concerns about electric cars from customers were driving range, access to charging stations, recharging times, prices and battery life.For now electric cars don’t meet the requirements for all Australians, he said.“The plain truth is that demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in markets around the world is not living up to the hype,” said Hanley.“Just because you build them or legislate them or even provide cash incentives for them, it doesn’t always mean the buyers will come to stimulate demand for BEVs.“We’ve noted that some companies have engaged in significant price cuts. For the most part, it hasn’t worked. All that’s done is harm existing customers by cutting resale values,” he said.Toyota dipped its toe in the electric car water this year, launching its bZ4X in March this year.It sold just shy of 1000 examples in its first 10 months on sale locally. The Tesla Model Y — Australia’s best-selling electric vehicle in 2024 — sold about 18,000 units in that time.Hanley said that the company’s soft approach on electric cars was right for now, but it will ramp it up in coming years.“The truth of the matter is we have one BEV.”“We didn’t set lofty targets on that BEV because we knew at the time when we were launching that car that the market was limited. We predicted that the market would be what it is in BEVs. “Having said that, then comes along New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES) where it is advantageous actually to sell more BEVs in the future to offset carbon penalties and to get credits allowing you to sell more of other vehicles that Australians want.”Toyota will expand its range of electric cars to three by the end of 2026, which is when the NVES will really start to bite.

This is the list that's most fun to write but it’s sometimes hard to pick winners when you review as many cars as I do!This year has proven (once again) that the market is ruled by SUVs and Australia’s love affair with them isn’t slowing down any time soon. So, you may be surprised that only a few of them made the cut.Out of all of the cars I’ve been cruising in this year, these were my favourites (in no particular order).The LandCruiser got me good. There are enough old-school elements mixed in with premium tech and features to satisfy everyone (it has a CD/DVD player!). Rear passengers enjoy the same luxurious comforts as front rowers and you get one of the most practical shaped boots I’ve sampled. For adventuring families, it has great off-road and towing capabilities with effortless power and grunt. It also drives like a dream and is a comfortable road tripper. I love it and miss it.Station wagons are my favourite type of family-hauler. Technically this sits in the same category as a Toyota Prado (ahem) but it looks and behaves like a wagon. This is one of the smoothest driving experiences you can have. It has AWD and the old-school elements are seamlessly blended with easy-to-use tech. High comfort for longer journeys and its only downside was being a bit thirsty.It hurt my soul to hand the keys back. The driving experience is finely tuned with great power delivery and on-road comfort. The sedan/wagon hybrid style took a little while to get used to, but the practicality was a big win for my little family of three. It could fit the hubby’s golf clubs, do a big grocery haul and carry all the junk my eight-year-old seems to accumulate over a week. The boosted sound experience on the engine is one you simply have to hear once in your life.The Touareg is a great looking family SUV that caters to everyone with comfort and tech. It’s smooth to drive with power that is promptly delivered. The on-road experience is also a lesson in refinement, which a few other European brands can take notes on. Efficiency and ongoing costs are also good – what’s not to like?It made the list last year and the updated model won my heart again. Just a solid all-rounder that delivers great on-road comfort, steers well, has decent power and good features for a base model. The hybrid efficiency is hard to question and it’s a smart-looking sedan thanks to the substantial facelift. Annoyingly, it is heavily associated with ride-share and taxis but I’d have one in a heartbeat.It’s only fair to include my eight-year-old's top-five cars, as he tests them with me and is very loud with his opinions on them.He loves the ambient lighting in Mercs and whooped with joy whenever I had to get up to speed. The engine sounded cool and there were enough comforts in the rear.He loved all of the features in the second and third rows, including cupholders that are well-positioned on the doors.He loves a good ute and the manly internal styling won him (and my husband) over. The tray was the winning feature and acted as a cubby house.His nickname for it was the Batmobile. That really sums up how much he liked it.

Another year of new-model launches is behind us, and 2024 has been another doozy.While this past year is notable for the number of models that were scheduled for launch but still haven’t arrived, there were some big names making big waves.Throughout the year I have driven some cars that truly surprised me, and others that were real let-downs. But for this article I am solely focusing on the good ones, because why would I want to end the year on a negative note?For clarity, our various CarsGuide ‘top cars’ articles are focused on vehicles that brought each individual journalist the most joy this year. That doesn’t necessarily mean the model launched in the past 12 months — we might have only had the chance to drive them in that period.Following last year’s list, my 2024 best of is a mix of some possibly obvious choices, and some that are perhaps a bit more left of field.Let’s not waste any more time. Here are the cars I loved most in 2024, in alphabetical order.In September, I drove the updated 2025 Audi e-tron GT on home turf in Germany, not far from Frankfurt and stopping off for the night in Heilbronn, where the vehicle is produced.I hadn’t driven the pre-facelift model but heard good things, notably from my colleague Tom White. I have driven a number of grades of the mechanically related Porsche Taycan, and while I have great affection for that car, I fell deeply in love with the Audi.Where the Porsche is a more focussed sports car, the Audi is more of a grand tourer. It still has breathtaking performance, but it offers a level of comfort that surprises.Beyond its phenomenal on-road performance, the e-tron GT is superbly designed and has a striking and inviting interior.I’ll leave you with the second-last line from my Audi e-tron GT review to summarise;“The e-tron GT is one of the most deeply impressive cars I have ever driven.”Including a new Mustang on a best-of list? I know, groundbreaking, right?But this car had to be on my list.The new-gen Ford Mustang is based on old underpinnings but honestly, I don’t care. I’m just thrilled that Ford can still build this car in the age of electrification.I spent a week with a Mustang GT Convertible, which is only offered in auto guise. I am still yet to drive a manual Mustang, but, again, I don’t care. The 10-speed auto is a brilliant match for the delicious 345kW/550Nm 5.0-litre V8.I am not really a V8 guy these days, and I am not a fan of obnoxiously loud engines, but man it was fun to scare the neighbours with an overzealous rev or two.The interior is much better than the previous Mustang and while it’s not perfect (what is with the pretend old-school handbrake?) I loved every second I had with this car.I drove the Jeep Avenger EV in Italy a few months back and, to be honest, I wasn’t expecting much given some of Jeep’s current crop of models leave me cold.But it turns out there is something so charming about Jeep’s first electric vehicle that it was one of the first cars to make it onto my list this year.The exterior design is simple yet edgy, and while it has a distinct Jeep flavour it’s very modern. The thoughtful Jeepisms like the plastic bootlip to avoid scratching the paint when loading a bike in the back, or setback headlights to mitigate against damage in a collision just add to the charm of the little SUV.It’s no sports car but it is brisk, comfortable and — importantly — engaging to drive. I couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel again.There’s a reason the Jeep Avenger won European Car of the Year. It’s an adorable, capable and functional city EV. Before you put a deposit down on one of the many affordable small EVs hitting the market, go check out the Avenger. It’s the coolest Jeep I’ve ever driven.The Polestar 4 is the EV brand’s first medium SUV and it follows the larger and pricier Polestar 3 SUV to market. But there are big differences between the two models.This is a Tesla Model Y rival, but it is much more premium than Tesla can manage. It’s also a lot more interesting.A striking exterior design lures you in before you realise something’s missing — a rear windscreen. Instead, it has a camera with vision displayed on a digital screen where the interior rear-view mirror goes.Despite this feature being tech for tech’s sake, the Polestar 4 is seriously impressive.It has excellent real-world driving range, a serious focus on sustainability, a spacious and gorgeously designed interior, and the exact same standard features list in both the Single Motor and Dual Motor grades. The only caveat there is that there are a lot of options and option packs that can push the price out.But if you’re tech savvy, value good design and a genuine focus on sustainability, the Polestar 4 is hard to beat.As someone who grew up obsessing over cars and has been in automotive media for more than 12 years, I did not see this coming.But I am here to tell you, dear reader, the new ninth-generation Toyota Camry is that good!It’s easy to dismiss the Camry as the Uber driver’s car of choice, or the sort of vehicle your grandpa drives, but after a week behind the wheel of the SL grade I am convinced it’s one of the best cars released this year.The hybrid powertrain (there’s no petrol-only grades anymore) is smoother than before, it’s still incredibly efficient and it has the best ride quality of any car I have driven this year. In even more surprising news, it’s actually pretty fun to drive on twisty roads as well.Of course the cabin is spacious and there’s plenty of room for cargo too.This is truly all the family car most people will need. Forget the dreary reputation of Camrys past. Because this big sedan has got its mojo back.Hyundai Santa Fe - Well isn’t this a bold new look? While it might be too bold for some, the new-gen Santa Fe improves on what was already an excellent family SUV and takes its place at the top of the segment.Lexus LBX - The latest Lexus model is also the smallest, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less premium. The LBX looks sharp, has hot hatch vibes and was one of my clear favourites this year. Bring on the spicy Morizo RR version!Mini Countryman - In its third generation, the Mini Countryman finally grows up into a family friendly small SUV. In a win for value for money, the entry-level petrol grades are just as compelling as the higher-end EV variants.Peugeot 408 - A cousin to the Citroen C5 X (RIP Citroen), the 408 is plug-in hybrid only and one of the most striking cars to launch this year. It ain’t cheap but it’s a joy to drive and it offers buyers a sleek European alternative to all of the generic small SUVs.Renault Megane E-Tech - I have only just driven this spunky French EV but I am already in love. Stunning exterior design, a surprisingly spacious interior and keener pricing combine with a joyful drive experience. Renault is on the march, finally!

How many new standard-unleaded petrol-powered vehicles – be it ‘normal’ or hybrid of any variety – remain in 2024? From cheapest to most expensive at the time of publishing, the list may surprise you! If we’ve left any 91 RONers out, please let us know in the comments section below.

A study of prices from September 2019 to September 2024 highlights some key models have risen sharply, but as the strong sales continue it appears customers have accepted the new pricing reality.

Toyota has launched the ninth-generation Camry in Australia this week, with changes that run deeper than the similar-to-last-time styling suggests.

Should Toyota consider a taxi pack version of its new-generation Camry?

Toyota’s entire passenger range is going hybrid only from today.As first revealed by CarsGuide earlier this week, the Corolla Cross SUV will ditch its petrol engine variants and go hybrid only.Now Toyota has confirmed the RAV4 and Kluger SUVs and Corolla sedan will follow suit and only be available to order in hybrid form from today. Toyota has already announced its Yaris, Corolla hatch, Yaris Cross and C-HR are going hybrid only.Only the brand’s commercial vehicles and rugged 4WDs will be available with conventional petrol or diesel powertrains.Toyota Australia’s Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Dealer Operations Sean Hanley said the adoption of hybrid vehicles in Australia made this decision possible.“This is not a result of the impending New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). These are trends that are in the market now. In fact, the new mandated standard confirms the foresight of Toyota’s strategy,” said Hanley.“We continue and we will do even more in coming years to innovate across a diverse range of drivetrains, which is the essence of Toyota’s multi pathway approach.“So in that sense, you could say Toyota has been embracing the spirit of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard for an extended period with our hybrids, plus out move now into BEVs and our comprehensive future model plans that remain under wraps for now. We remain committed to allowing customers to choose the low carbon or no carbon drivetrain that best suits their circumstances.”The Federal Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has passed through both houses of parliament and will come into effect next year.This new standard will penalise carmakers for every car they sell that produces more CO2 than a set level. These levels will get harder to meet every year.There are few petrol-engined cars that will escape punishment but hybrids will slip under the mandated levels for a few years at least.In May, hybrid sales made up 48.9 per cent of the Toyota's total volume. More than 46 per cent of the brand's total sales for the first five months of this year have been hybrids.The top-selling RAV4 was more than 95 per cent hybrid the past month, demand for the Camry hybrid was up more than 250 per cent and Corolla Cross Hybrid sales have more than doubled this year.Petrol sales still make up about 20 per cent of Kluger SUV volume, though.The deletion of the petrol options for the Corolla Cross, RAV4 and Kluger means it’ll be more expensive to get into one of these models, too.Hybrid power costs $2500 more in the Corolla Cross and RAV4 and a whopping $6500 extra in the seven-seat Kluger. That big jump is due to Kluger hybrid variants only coming with all-wheel drive and not the cheaper two-wheel drive layout available in the petrol-only versions.That means the new entry point to Corolla Cross range is $36,480 (before on-road costs), $42,260 for the RAV4 and $60,920 for the Kluger.Toyota has no plans to add a cheaper two-wheel drive version of the Kluger hybrid, according to Hanley.The Japanese brand will honour all existing petrol orders, with those cars to be delivered over the next few months. Kluger petrol deliveries will stretch into next year, though.

Toyota Australia has confirmed specifications for the 2025 Camry sedan which will go hybrid-only and lose the mid-spec SX trim when it arrives in the second half of the year. The Mazda6 and Hyundai Sonata rival is a favourite with rideshare drivers, so it’s no surprise Toyota is staying strong with the Ascent entry grade and step-up Ascent Sport trim. The flagship SL remains for keen private buyers. Pricing for the sedan will be confirmed closer to the car’s arrival later this year – expect a bump from the current $35,051, before on-road costs, starting price thanks to its fifth-gen hybrid only line-up. “The move to a hybrid-only Camry range reflects the popularity of hybrid with customers, who appreciate the impressive fuel consumption, smooth driveability and agile performance they provide,”  said Toyota Australia VP Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley.“Camry is proof that there is still a market in Australia for sedans, especially when they offer the value, efficient performance and good looks buyers are after”, said Hanley. The move follows record hybrid sales for the brand last month led by the RAV4 medium SUV, with more than 95 per cent hybrid sales share. The Camry’s latest hybrid tech incorporates a new lithium-ion battery and more compact transaxle hooked up to a punchier electric motor. Final outputs are not confirmed, but expect power to climb to 167kW in line with the US-market version.  Fuel consumption is also yet to be confirmed but the Camry hybrid is rated at 4.7L/100km in US EPA combined cycle testing. It is the same width and rides on an unchanged 2825mm wheelbase, though is around 9mm longer at 4914mm. A new interior layout and refreshed visage with crisp LED lighting features hide a largely similar Camry underneath with changes focused on evolution, not revolution. The Ascent features an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless phone mirroring, 7.0-inch digital driver’s display, two rear USB-C charge points, Toyota connected services, new 17-inch alloy wheels, fabric seats, dual-zone climate control, one-touch power windows and an electronic handbrake. It benefits from safety enhancement, including  front and rear parking support brake, blind spot monitoring, safe exit assist, rear cross-traffic alert, driver monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree surround monitor and improvements to AEB and adaptive cruise functionality. The Ascent Sport’s touchscreen swells to 12.3 inches with navigation, wireless phone charger, six-speaker sound system, different LED lighting features, an auto-dimming rear mirror, leather-appointed steering wheel and shifter and power-adjust driver’s seat with lumbar support.Headlining the range is the SL with 18-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, a heated steering wheel, tinted rear windows, air purification, leather-accented upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, power-adjust passenger seat and steering wheel, a sunroof, head-up display and a nine-speaker JBL sound system. 

Toyota Australia has increased pricing for its Camry sedan and LandCruiser 300 SUV for the 2024 model year as of February.