Toyota Camry Hybrid officially arrives in Singapore

The all-new Toyota Camry is now officially in Singapore, and it will only be sold as a Hybrid model. It is currently available in a single variant - Elegance. The car was launched earlier today (29 August) at Toyota's pop-up showcase outside Wisma Atria.

Compared to its predecessor, the latest Camry is sleeker and more aerodynamic. Clearly taking its design cues from the new Prius, it gets 'hammerhead' head lights, along with a lower and sportier stance. Adding to its dynamic styling are the C-shaped taillights and unique boot lid, which has a 'duck tail'.

Toyota has given the Camry a more modern as opposed to a more inoffensive (read: staid) outlook

Interestingly, the car's sportier character is not reflected in the cabin. Instead, Toyota has concentrated on refining the interior, and it shows. The seats, which are arguably the cushiest ever in a Camry, are upholstered in genuine leather. They are also ventilated to help passengers beat the heat.

Customers who have driven the current crop of Lexus models will find the cockpit rather familiar. The 12.3-inch infotainment screen, which is referred to as the Toyota Audio Multimedia System, looks like the one found in the Lexus NX.

Having a 'native' system is a step up from the aftermarket systems found on other Toyota models, which aren't as intuitive as this one. Drivers will also like the fact that a nine-speaker JBL Premium Audio system is standard, to help them enjoy their favourite tunes.

A lot of the Camry Hybrid's switchgear is actually shared with Lexus, so the buttons have a tactile feel

Another key update is the move from analogue meters to a digital instrument panel, which is a feature that today's buyers expect. The Camry Hybrid is also equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the brand's latest suite of safety features. Said functions include Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist and Lane Departure Alert.

Backseat passengers are catered to as well. Folding down the centre armrest reveals a control panel that lets them adjust the temperature, move the seats, and deploy the sunshade, along with several other convenient functions.

Powering the all-new Camry Hybrid is a 2.5-litre inline-four engine paired to an electric motor, which in turn is fed by a lithium-ion battery. The four-cylinder produces 185bhp and 221Nm of torque, while the electric motor delivers 134bhp and 208Nm of torque.

With the hybrid powertrain churning out a combined 228bhp (170kW), the 'Sport' visuals make sense this time around

However, since both the engine and electric motor produce peak figures at different points, we cannot just lump everything together. As such, Toyota says the Camry Hybrid's total system output is 228bhp, and the sedan does the century sprint in 7.2 seconds.

Toyota claims a combined fuel economy figure of 19.6km/L, making the Camry Hybrid the most efficient one to be officially sold by Borneo Motors. Under the Enhanced Vehicular Emissions Scheme, it is in Band A2, making it eligible for a $15,000 rebate.

Rear seat occupants can feel 'like a boss' thanks to these armrest controls

That said, the new Camry Hybrid is also the quickest and most powerful one we've officially had in Singapore. The previous 2.5-litre non-hybrid model here had 206bhp and did zero to 100km/h in 9.2 seconds.

Prices for the Camry Hybrid start from $246,888 with COE, and the car can be viewed at the Camry pop-up showcase outside Wisma Atria from 10:00am to 10:00pm daily. The showcase runs from 29 August 2024 to 8 September 2024.