Toyota Camry Review - FQ Magazine

Combine a Japanese car and one British motoring journalist to serve up this auto review…

Not everyone gets excited about cars. I get it – I mean, in the UK you can’t enjoy driving anyway. There are cameras everywhere, and now average speed cameras can ‘do’ you for going 1mph over the limit.

Yes, I know – “bah humbug” and all that. As much as I tell myself this isn’t the best country to drive in, it’s a decent place to live – and I still like cars – and motorbikes. But I had to give up two wheels when I became a dad.

Return Of The Camry

Anyway, you might remember the Toyota Camry? It was absent from the UK for 15 years, but it came back a couple of years ago because it continued to sell well in other parts of the world.

On the move, it’s hushed, and the Camry’s combined petrol engine and electric motor give decent performance. The steering is precise, and visibility is good, too.

Regrettably, it’s common for hybrids to let the side down regarding refinement at speed. The almost inaudible engine in the Camry means you’re hyper-aware of other noises instead. So, tyre rumble grates on you, as does wind whistle at 70mph. But you can still get on with the Camry on the motorway. You might just need to put some hard rock music on, though.

There’s enough room for five-up in the cabin, and with 524 litres of boot space, you’ll get two suitcases in – and a child’s buggy.

The 2019 Camry’s main failing was its infotainment system – it was arthritic to use, and the touchscreen was frustratingly unresponsive. Fortunately, Toyota has sorted this for 2021, and there’s now a nine-inch infotainment system with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.