2026 Toyota Camry review

It’s no secret that we’re fans of theToyota Camryhere at childcareman.xyz.

Last year’s debut of the current model wasn’t just a launch; it was a coronation. Critics cheered, drivers swooned, and the <strong > 2025 childcareman.xyz Choice Awards</strong> promptly declared it Australia’s best affordable midsize car – a title it wears with pride.

Because, while the Camry will never be cool, it’s an objectively excellent car.

"The Camry: It’s not just a car; it’s a workhorse. Last year, a staggering 73% of them rolled off the lot and straight into the hands of fleet managers and rideshare heroes – the unsung champions of getting us where we need to go."

The Ascent: Camry’s Undisputed Value King. Forget frills, this workhorse Camry boasts a sub-$40,000 price tag, making it the savviest fleet choice for businesses laser-focused on maximizing ROI.

WATCH: Paul’s video review of the 2025 Toyota Camry Ascent Sport

Sacrificing a few premium frills found in its higher-priced siblings, the Ascent delivers the same astonishing hybrid efficiency and remarkable practicality as the top-tier SL, but at a fraction of the cost.

Will the Toyota Camry continue its reign as king of the taxi fleet? We buckled up for seven days to uncover the truth.

How much does the Toyota Camry cost?

Entry into Camry ownership begins well below $40,000 (before on-road costs) for the Ascent trim a price point that leaves most of its mid-size sedan rivals eating its dust.

| Model | Price before on-road costs | | — | — | |2026 Toyota Camry Ascent|$39,990| | 2026 Toyota Camry Ascent Sport | $42,990 | | 2026 Toyota Camry SL | $53,990 |

A mid-size sedan craving got you reaching for your wallet? Prepare for some sticker shock. That sleek Hyundai Sonata will set you back at least $55,000. Yearning for that reliable Honda Accord? Be ready to cough up a cool $65,000 for the privilege.

With that said, the BYD Seal and Skoda Octavia remain affordable alternatives to the Camry, although neither offer hybrid power.

To see how the Toyota Camry stacks up against its rivals, use ourcomparison tool

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What is the Toyota Camry like on the inside?

Not quite as premium as the handsome exterior styling suggests, at least in base Ascent guise.

Okay, here’s an improved version of that sentence:

"The Ascent’s interior seems more focused on ticking boxes for fleet managers than sparking joy for private buyers, leaving you wondering where the money actually went."

The steering wheel, clad in decidedly uninspired plastic – a feature more at home in a budget hatchback – clashes jarringly with the tech aspirations of the cabin. The screens, diminutive compared to both their Camry brethren and rival offerings, feel like squinting at the future through a keyhole.

Even though Camry drivers practically live behind the wheel, the seats are surprisingly humble. Forget flashy frills in the base model; you’re getting cloth and manual adjustments. Leather and heated seats? Those are perks reserved for the elite SL trim. But here’s the secret: every Camry seat shares the same fundamental design – a design that’s pure driving bliss. Think supportive bolstering that hugs you in the corners, combined with a base cushion so forgiving, even marathon road trips feel like a Sunday drive.

Beyond mere comfort, the Camry’s cockpit is a masterclass in intuitive design. Imagine a driver’s command center where everything falls readily to hand: the steering wheel, a natural extension of your will; the gear selector, a satisfying click away; the infotainment screen, displaying information with crystal clarity; and the climate controls, summoning the perfect atmosphere with minimal effort. This is effortless control, refined.

The cabin’s design intuitively groups driving-related controls ahead of the gear selector, placing the thrill of the road at your fingertips. Familiar climate controls sit nestled beneath the central screen, offering comfort without disrupting the driving experience.

The Camry’s Achilles’ heel? Its screen. This entry-level Ascent saddles you with an underwhelming 8.0-inch infotainment system a pale comparison to the expansive 12.3-inch display gracing other models. Prepare for a user experience that’s more frustrating than futuristic. Beyond a navigation app boasting live traffic updates, cutting-edge features are conspicuously absent.

Forget the Camry’s built-in system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, effortlessly projecting your smartphone’s world onto the dashboard. Juicing up is easy, too, with three USB-C ports nestled at the base of the center stack, ready to keep your devices humming.

And despite its lack of size, the centre screen is at least responsive to user inputs most of the time.

Switching to the driver’s seat reveals the Ascent’s 7.0-inch digital instrument display. It presents essential driving data with clarity, though the visuals are more functional than flamboyant compared to higher-tier models. Don’t anticipate dazzling graphics or extensive personalization options; it’s information over innovation.

Glance at the dashboard and witness the Toyota hybrid’s magic unfold. An elegant energy monitor dynamically illustrates the power interplay within the vehicle, transforming your daily commute into an engaging lesson in hybrid technology. See the energy surge and ebb in real-time.

The Camry’s tech is fine, but the Ascent Sport’s massive 12.3-inch screen? Prepare to be wowed. Seriously consider the upgrade.

The Ascent Sport greets your hands with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a tactile promise unmet elsewhere in the cabin. Soft-touch plastics and humble woven cloth dominate, punctuated by a whisper of faux-leather on the door cards. The overall impression leans budget-friendly, a compromise that may sting some, but likely won’t shatter the ownership experience.

Forget luxury, the Camry is a master of organization. It’s a sanctuary for your stuff: dedicated holsters cradle oversized water bottles, sunglasses find their own velvet-lined nook, and phones dock within easy reach. The center console? A cavernous abyss. The glovebox? A black hole for documents. The Camry doesn’t pamper, it provides – a mobile command center for your everyday essentials.

The second row isn’t quite as practical, nor should that be expected for this segment.

The middle seat? Let’s just say the driveline hump throws a serious wrench in the legroom party. Outboard seats fare better for grown-ups,unlessyou’re rocking NBA height. Natural light plays hard to get too. Want a sunroof? You’ll have to shell out for the top-of-the-line SL.

Camry’s backseat? A kid-topia. Three top tether anchors stand ready for car seats, transforming the rear into a fortress of safety. But it’s not all serious business back there. Think cup holders overflowing with juice boxes, USB-C ports fueling digital adventures, and personal climate control courtesy of individual air vents. Even map pockets stand at attention, ready to swallow stray toys and secret treasures.

While a true family sedan needs ample trunk space, the Camry delivers. Though the Skoda Octavia and Honda Accord offer cavernous cargo holds, the Camry’s boot effortlessly handles luggage for a family vacation or easily accommodates a pair of bulky strollers, proving it’s ready for real-world family duty.

Say goodbye to awkward lifting! The trunk’s design eliminates that frustrating load lip, making it a breeze for everyone, from busy parents to taxi drivers, to load groceries or luggage. Plus, its wide opening swallows bulky items whole. Need more room? Simply fold the rear seats flat and unleash cavernous cargo space.

Under the boot floor you’ll find a tyre repair kit, rather than a traditional spare.

| Dimensions | Toyota Camry | | — | — | |Length| 4920mm | |Width| 1840mm | |Height| 1445mm | |Wheelbase| 2825mm | |Cargo capacity| 524L |

To see how the Toyota Camry stacks up against its rivals, use ourcomparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

Beneath the Toyota Camry’s sleek exterior lies a singular, yet sophisticated, powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid heart, seamlessly coupled with an e-CVT transmission, promising an exceptionally smooth and efficient ride.

| Specifications | Toyota Camry | | — | — | |Engine| 2.5L 4cyl hybrid | |Engine outputs| 138kW 221Nm | |Electric motor outputs| 100kW 208Nm | |System outputs| 170kW | |Battery| 4.0Ah li-ion | |Transmission| e-CVT | |Drive type| Front-wheel drive | |Weight| 1565kg | |Fuel economy (claimed) | 4.0L/100km | |Fuel economy (as tested)| 4.5L/100km | |Fuel tank capacity| 50L | |Fuel requirement| 95-octane premium unleaded | |CO2 emissions| 91g/km | |Emissions standard| Euro 6 | |Braked tow capacity| 400kg |

Forget gas station anxiety. This machine sips fuel like a hummingbird at a flower patch. Over a week, carving through city streets and stretching its legs on a highway run from Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula, we averaged a jaw-dropping 4.5L/100km. That’s not just good on paper; it’s real-world efficiency that’ll leave your wallet feeling surprisingly plump.

To see how the Toyota Camry stacks up against its rivals, use ourcomparison tool

How does the Toyota Camry drive?

No wonder this is the choice of rideshare drivers far and wide.

Few cars conquer the daily grind like the Camry. When your commute stretches into hours, its unparalleled comfort and unwavering efficiency become more than perks – they’re a lifeline.

Glide into near silence. The hybrid powertrain whispers, a faint electric hum your only clue to its operation. It favors the electric embrace, gliding effortlessly whenever possible. Even when the petrol engine awakens, it does so with surprising grace, its voice a hushed refinement rather than an intrusive roar.

Forget dull. The Camry’s electric motor punches above its weight, injecting a surprising dose of pep into a car not exactly known for blistering speed. Think 0-100km/h in a brisk 7.2 seconds – leaving the Honda Accord and even the base BYD Seal eating its electric dust. The best part? That instant torque surge feels readily available at any speed.

Forget beige. The Camry answers the call of your right foot with surprising eagerness. It’s not a sports car, but it possesses a playful spirit lurking beneath its practical facade. Dare to push it, and you might actually crack a smile.

Forget straight-line thrills. This commuter car dances. The chassis feels alive, eager to change direction, and lighter than its class suggests. Confidence blooms behind the wheel; the steering, weighted just so, telegraphs the road’s nuances directly to your fingertips. You know exactly what the front tires are doing, inspiring you to push harder.

Trading my usual SUV perch for the Camry’s cockpit was a revelation. It felt like shedding a bulky winter coat in July, a welcome return to drivingfeel.Or maybe the refreshing sensation was just the Camry’s arctic air conditioning blasting away the day’s heat. Either way, lightness and agility were back on the menu, and my daily commute suddenly felt less like navigating a barge and more like slicing through water.

To call the Camry "boring" is to miss the point entirely. It’s a masterclass in reliable competence, so while it may not ignite your soul, it will undoubtedly get you where you need to go, every single time.

Slide into the Camry, and you’ll find efficiency doesn’t demand sacrifice. It’s a smooth operator, gliding over bumps that would rattle lesser rides. Though it hugs the road, a sense of serene stability washes over you, a welcome escape from the everyday grind.

The Camry practically laughs in the face of parking anxieties. Its low-slung design might suggest compromised visibility, but fear not! Blind spots are minimal, and a simple head check won’t require Olympic-level flexibility. Slipping into a parking space is surprisingly drama-free, aided by a comprehensive suite of cameras and sensors ready to assist with even the most challenging maneuvers.

City streets or open highways, the Camry remains serenely unfazed. Even as the speedometer climbs, the cabin stays hushed, a tranquil sanctuary from the world’s roar. It’s a cocoon of quiet confidence, mile after effortless mile.

Every model comes standard with a guardian angel of driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control with active lane centering, transforming mundane commutes into serene, self-assured journeys.

Dark roads hold no fear. Standard LED lights with automatic high beams cut through the black, turning night into day for confident regional adventures.

To see how the Toyota Camry stacks up against its rivals, use ourcomparison tool

What do you get?

The Ascent sits at the bottom of the three-strong Toyota Camry range.

2025 Toyota Camry Ascent equipment highlights:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights and tail-lights
• Automatic high-beam
• Power-folding exterior mirrors
• Black cloth interior trim
• Manual front seat adjustment
• 60:40 split/fold rear seats
• 7.0-inch instrument cluster screen
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio

• Dual-zone climate control
• Six-speaker sound system
• 5 x USB-C ports

Ascent Sport adds:

• High-grade LED headlights
• LED front fog lights
• 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar
• Leather-accented steering wheel and shifter
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Wireless phone charger
• 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen

SL adds:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Heated exterior mirrors with memory
• Front and rear camera washers
• Rear/side rear privacy glass
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• Leather seat trim
• Eight-way powered passenger seat
• Driver’s seat memory
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Paddle shifters
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Digital rear-view mirror
• Automatic rain-sensing wipers
• Power-adjustable heated steering wheel
• Head-up display
• Nine-speaker JBL sound system

To see how the Toyota Camry stacks up against its rivals, use ourcomparison tool

Is the Toyota Camry safe?

The Toyota Camry has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2024.

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| Category | Toyota Camry | | — | — | | Adult occupant protection | 95 per cent | | Child occupant protection | 87 per cent | | Vulnerable road user protection | 84 per cent | | Safety assist | 81 per cent |

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Autonomous emergency braking

• Pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, oncoming vehicle detection
• Intersection collision avoidance assist
• Emergency steering assist
• Wrong-pedal mitigation

• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver attention monitoring
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane centring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Safe exit assist
• Speed sign recognition
• Emergency vehicle stop
• Surround-view camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• 8 airbags (front, front-side, front-centre, driver’s knee and full-length curtain)

To see how the Toyota Camry stacks up against its rivals, use ourcomparison tool

How much does the Toyota Camry cost to run?

Drive with confidence. Every new Toyota in Australia is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Keep your Toyota serviced on schedule at an authorized Toyota dealer, and we’ll extend that peace of mind to seven years for your engine and drivetrain.

| Servicing and Warranty | Toyota Camry | | — | — | | Warranty | Five years, unlimited kilometres (private buyers) Five years, 160,000km (commercial buyers) | | Roadside assistance | $99 per year | | Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km | | Capped-price servicing | Five years, $255 per service | | Total capped-price service cost | $1275 |

Keep your Camry purring like new with our simple, scheduled maintenance. Every 12 months or 15,000 kilometers, bring your Camry in for a check-up. Peace of mind comes standard too: for the first five years, enjoy capped-price servicing at just $255 per visit. That’s smart, predictable value, making the Camry as kind to your wallet as it is on the road – perfect for individuals and businesses alike.

But here’s the rub: Toyota tacks on an extra $99 annually for roadside assistance. It’s a baffling move when so many rivals offer the same safety net absolutely free.

To see how the Toyota Camry stacks up against its rivals, use ourcomparison tool

childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Toyota Camry

Let’s hit pause on all the jokes and stereotypes for a second to give the Camry the respect it deserves.

Forget roaring engines and flashy chrome. Australian new car buyers are a savvy bunch, prioritizing what truly matters: value, fuel efficiency, and safety. Enter the Toyota Camry, a vehicle that not only ticks those boxes but adds a dash of unexpected zest to the mix. It’s not just economical and secure; it’s surprisingly spirited, luxuriously comfortable, and remarkably practical for everyday life.

The Camry Ascent’s charm falters in one key area: its bargain-basement tech. Sadly, this is a pitfall unique to the entry-level model.

However, the cabin does betray its budget in a few spots a forgivable sin when considering this trim’s intended life in a rental lot. But let’s be honest, the Camry’s reign as king of the commercial car kingdom remains unchallenged.

Skip the base models and set your sights on the Ascent Sport. At $42,990 before on-road costs, it’s the sweet spot of the Ascent range. Think of it as all the car you’ll ever need, packaged in a value-packed deal that undercuts the likes of the Sonata and Accord.

The Octavia and Seal can be had for similar money, but neither are as well-rounded as this Toyota.

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