2024 Toyota Camry First Drive: Small Changes, Still Great!

The 2024 Toyota Camry is here, with a slightly updated exterior, and a much stronger interior experience and is priced at an acceptable Rs 48 lakh (ex-showroom). The ninth-generation Camry's only lone rival is the Skoda Superb, the price of which has migrated a lot further northwards. We spent a day behind the wheel of this iconic marque to see how the Camry formula has been tweaked for 2025 and who should consider it and why.

Design

The 2024 Toyota Camry boasts a sharp appearance, not too different from the last update. But this takes it a step further so much so that you could now actually call this executive sedan sporty-looking. Its front fascia is dominated by a razor-sharp nose, power creases on the hood, and a wide grille that has more than a hint of Lexus in it.

The LED DRLs create a simple yet unique light signature that really stands out on the road. Especially if you catch a glimpse of it coming up behind you in your rearview mirror. 

There is also a ‘Sprint Edition’, with a blacked-out roof, alloys, and sporty add-ons, but this is a dealer-fitted ‘visual pack’ honestly. And other than the all-black alloys the bumper add-ons and roof decal aren't really screaming quality, which is contrary to the level of finish the stock car sports.

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Interior Design and Comfort 

Now to the arena where the new Camry has made big strides. The dual-tone black and brown interior theme is an attractive and old-school luxury but the materials, finish and design are minimalist and much more modern and up-to-date than what we’ve become accustomed to from Toyota.  

A 12.3-inch infotainment system sits prominently on the dashboard and there are plenty of buttons too. In fact, there are even individual buttons for the three drive modes, something that everyone else solves with a single rotary dial or a single button that toggles through the different modes. That said, this old-school love for buttons is one tradition we are glad they stuck with. Mostly for the ease of use for all the functions like air con, drive modes and ventilated seats.

Functionality that can easily be changed on the go even when you're driving alone. A refreshing change for cars where nearly all functions are accessed only via touch screens, fancy tech that’s difficult to use on the move and in most cases unnecessary.

Overall the cabin experience is a nice blend of luxury and comfort and clean design. With everything falling ergonomically into place and nothing that we’d complain about.

The Camry’s front seats get 10-way power adjustment and are ventilated, but it’s in the rear seats where the Camry truly shines. Generous knee room and foot space are combined with the ‘boss mode’ feature that allows the rear passenger to free up even more leg room. The rear seats also can be reclined electronically from a nifty little touch button that sits in the rear of the drop-down armrest. This also controls the rear sunblind, media and temperature settings too. Weirdly the rear armrest doesn't quite fold away completely when in the ‘up’ position and sticks out a little. Considering that this sedan will hardly see three passengers ever, this shouldn't be too much of a problem.

The cabin is well-equipped with bottle holders in all four doors, cupholders, a front wireless charging pad, and ample storage spaces. Charging needs are met with a 12V socket and five Type-C ports (three at the front and two at the rear). Rear passengers also get seat-back pockets and central armrest cupholders.

Technology and Features

• 12.3-inch infotainment system: Offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, lag-free performance, and excellent resolution but we wish there was a dedicated home screen and more depth to the interface. 

• 12.3-inch digital driver’s display: Highly customizable, with crisp and clear graphics. One of the best driver displays we have experienced.

• Head-up display: Provides critical driving information without distraction that works as advertised.

• 9-speaker JBL sound system: Renders sound that’s crisp, clear and punch and doesn't distort at high volumes.

• 360-degree camera: While the quality of the feed is great the interface has room for improvement. It has limited views and limited customisation.  

The features list also includes three-zone climate control, keyless entry, push-button start, auto-dimming IRVM, auto wipers, and a sunroof.

Boot Space

With 587 litres of boot space, the Camry has ample room for luggage.

Whether it’s a weekend family trip or an airport run, there’s space enough for suitcases and via a hatch behind the armrest, space for a golf set too if needed. 

Safety

Safety remains a top priority for Toyota, and the Camry is no exception. The sedan is equipped with 9 airbags, ISOFIX mounts, vehicle stability control, hill start assist, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

There’s level-2 ADAS as well with adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, auto emergency braking and auto high beam assist.

Performance and Fuel Efficiency

The Camry’s powertrain consists of a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. Together, they deliver 230PS and 208Nm of torque, managed by an e-CVT gearbox driving the front wheels.

The hybrid system operates seamlessly, transitioning between EV and petrol modes. The engine is refined and particularly suited to steady long cruises down a highway or gently moving through city traffic. It feels like calm and collected is something that is keyed into the Camry’s DNA in some way. That said there is some performance when you mash the go pedal and quick overtakes are easily done without the Camry breaking into a sweat. 

With the e-CVT you do get the dreaded rubberband feeling but only when you ask for performance. And while there are supposed to be 10 steps to the e-CVT, accessed through the paddle shifts, they seem to have a mind of their own, even in manual mode and you soon default to driving the Camry how it wants to be driven - calm and composed. 

Toyota claims a mileage of 25.49 kmpl, which seems a little high but achieving figures in the high teens seems possible, at least that’s the impression we got from spending a day behind the wheel.

Ride and Handling

The cushy ride was something that the Camry is famous for and that stays true for the new model. But Toyota have ever so slightly firmed up the suspension a little and that means that it can deliver an engaging experience behind the wheel too. Not corner carving by any means but enough that you won’t be wishing for a different set of wheels when a few flowing corners show up on your Sunday drive.  

The Camry stays composed over rough patches, potholes, and speed bumps and is planted at high speeds, with minimal cabin movement. 145mm of ground clearance isn’t a lot and you will need to be careful over really tall speed bumps but we had no issues on the drive, even over some steep approach and departure ramps getting in and out of our hotel and even over the few speed bumps on our route.

Verdict

The 2024 Toyota Camry is a significant step up from its predecessor. It combines sporty design, luxurious interiors and hybrid efficiency to deliver an all-around classy experience that we’ve come to expect of the Camry badging.

So if you must spend over Rs 50 lakhs on a premium experience that borders on luxury, and gives you the peace of mind that the Toyota badge does, the Camry ticks a heck of a lot of boxes. In fact, for the money it’s asking for and the overall experience it's offering, the Toyota Camry could seriously tempt some buyers away from sedans like the A4, the C-Class and the 3 Series.