As with their norm, Toyota Philippines has launched one more car just before the year ends. This time it’s for the new 2022 Toyota Camry and it comes in only one flavor – a hybrid one at that. Aside from a new powertrain, you’ll get a few more toys and Toyota Safety sense, all for a starting price of P2,335,000. Let’s break down what’s new with Toyota’s mid-size sedan.
First is the most obvious change, the hybrid powertrain. Under the hood is a different 2.5-liter engine with 178 PS and 221 Nm of torque. Combined with the electric motor, it produces a total of 211 PS. This is paired to a CVT with three drive modes – Eco, Normal, and Sport that changes how the engine responds to the throttle input.
Like all hybrid Toyotas, the new Camry is eerily quiet upon starting. You’ll second guess whether it is truly running already. It has a good response even in Normal mode, reaching 60kph quickly so you’ll have easier time merging in highway traffic. The media preview was very time constrained though so I wasn’t able to check out how it really drives apart from the initial impression after a few corners.
There are minimal changes done on the exterior. As with all hybrid Toyotas, this Camry gets the Toyota emblem with a blue shadow. There are new Bi-beam LED headlights while other lights are all LED, a moonroof, chrome trimmings on both sides of the front grille, a new 18-inch wheel, and a chrome trim on the trunk handle at the rear that also houses the Camry name. Cameras are also found on all four corners for a panoramic view around the car.
Inside, the biggest change was done on the touchscreen unit. It’s bigger at 9-inches and is now floating type with the center air vents under it, whereas before it’s integrated in the dashboard. It has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and is now paired to a 9-speaker JBL system.
The wood veneers are still present on the dashboard and center console but they’re lighter in color than before. There’s now a wireless charger in addition to other previous niceties like leather seats, ambient lighting, power adjustable steering wheel with memory function, the 8-way power driver’s seat with memory, 8-way powered front passenger seat, electronic parking brake with autohold, heads-up display, and 3-zone automatic climate control.
At the back they retained the powered rear sunshade, manual rear door sunshade, the controls on the center console, rear air vents, and reclining back seats.
In terms of safety, it has standard features like 7 airbags, ISOFIX, ABS, stability control, and hill-start assist. There’s now four sensors each front and back, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, and as mentioned before, a panoramic view monitor via cameras around the vehicle.
Toyota Safety Sense also made its way to the new Camry. This includes Pre-Collision System, Automatic High Beam, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Alert, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.
The 2022 Toyota Camry comes solely in this trim, the V HEV which starts at P2,335,000 for the Metal Stream and Attitude Black Mica, while the Pearl White is at P2,350,000. Basically P278,000 more expensive than the previous iteration. It’s steep for a new model but considering all the added features, it’s fair play from Toyota Philippines. I can’t wait to try this and see how fuel efficient it can be inside the city traffic with its new hybrid system.
