review – Gripshiftslide

Reviewed :: 2018 Camry SL Hybrid

Grant — Thu, 17 May 2018 11:19:23 +0000

Last month we returned to our favourite place on Earth, Japan. With a tight schedule planned we had just one week free to head out and explore the countryside and thought we might ask our friends from Toyota for a car. When asked “What do you want to drive?” Immediately we thought let’s get an 86!… However after driving the new V6 Camry back in Australia we were quite curious about taking the hybrid version out and comparing the two. Luckily there was a hybrid SL free while we were in town, so we headed to Toyota’s office in Tokyo to grab the keys and hit the road. If you haven’t seen much of the new Camry yet it is quite a departure from previous designs and has a dramatic new look, especially in this colour! Offered in 4 variants, Ascent, Ascent sport, SX and the range topping SL seen here. With choices of ether the petrol 2.5l 4 Cylinder, 2.5l hybrid and 3.5l V6. Why did we go for the hybrid? Well we’ve heard plenty of good things about it and wanted to see how it faired in a larger sedan. With the future of the car quickly changing to suit both the environment and the economy, petrol engines and even hybrids like this might soon be the next floppy disc or Walkman of our lifetime. When push comes to shove the 2.5l hybrid is surprisingly brisk off the line thanks to the added torque from the electric motor. The novelty of the almost silent electric motor at low speeds was strange at first. Once you press the accelerator the volume increases and it sounds remarkably like a Japanese train racing away from the station. When the speedo reads around 20kph the 4 cylinder petrol engine seamlessly kicks in and it starts to sound like a regular car again. You may notice that compared to our local model the exterior is a little different thanks to the larger grill taking up most of the front bumper. I was a little on the fence about the bumper design until I saw it in person and I found it really complements the new design rather well. The new Camry is built on Toyota’s new ‘TNGA’ platform which is highly adaptable to suit different sized cars and drivetrains, like RWD and AWD. We’ve driven both the C-HR and Prius built on the same platform and it feels a lot more dynamic across all the models when compared to their predecessors. The ride quality was quite surprising in comparison to the sport suspension offered in the SX model. It was softer over bumps without feeling floaty and didn’t fall off the road around tight corners. Overall it is quite balanced and provides a fair amount of feedback for a stock standard car. A testament to the new TNGA platform. Back to the cosmetics the 18” alloy wheels are our pick of the bunch from the new line up, they also feel a lot more suited as opposed to the monstrous 19” wheels offered on the SX model. We have not been a fan of many of the latest OEM wheel designs offered in recent years… *Looks at the Toyota 86*. If run of the mill mid-size sedans are considered plain or “vanilla” than this new model shines amongst the competition. This is the organic vanilla bean car right here! The exterior is not the only thing that’s changed. The interior has been given the same bold makeover. Gone are the plain cloth seats of the previous generations. The design of the dash alone draws your eyes into the centre as the asymmetrical lines intersect underneath the 7” screen. All in all It’s a rather nice place to be. Clever additions like the heads-up display and wireless charging pad for smart phones are the cherry on top! Driving the Camry around for the week, I started to appreciate the hybrid a little more than I had first anticipated. The fuel consumption was fantastic even with spirited driving on some of Japan’s famous mountain roads. I can’t tell if it’s just that I’m getting older but if I was in the market for a sedan I think I’d be hard pressed to go past the new Camry. You might even catch me looking back over my shoulder after parking it. Sitting inside it feels more akin to the upper-class brother, the Lexus IS300. Sharing the same powerplant options as the Lexus, the Camry might be closing the gap between the two cars just a little too much for some buyers. At an extra $24,000 It might be hard for some to shell out for the “L” badge. As for our time on the road it was incredible catching the tail end of the cherry blossom season out in Nikko. The panoramic glass roof helped to take in all the beauty while the trees were in bloom. During the week we only spotted two more Camrys in the wild, we also had a couple of admires keen to have a closer look at the new car. I’m actually quite excited to see if any receive the aftermarket VIP treatment in Japan. After seeing a few examples of the CH-R getting some love from Japanese workshops it seems more than likely. Simple is best so we think a subtle lip kit, dual exhausts, de-badged nose grill, Japanese front bumper and a set of SSR Professor SP4 wheels in silver would complete the car. The big question, would we still choose the V6?… Nope! As great as the V6 is to drive it just doesn’t seem suit the front wheel drive/automatic platform. If the option of a manual transmission and rear wheel drive were thrown into the mix with this body shape, we’d be lining up around the block with the rest of the world with cash in hand. Until then we think the Hybrid is the star here, all the comfort and it still moves when you put your foot down. I think most people would agree when it finally came time to filling up at the petrol station. Thanks to the team from Toyota and as always, thanks for reading. – Gwyn.

Reviewed :: 2018 All New Camry SX

Grant — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 12:09:02 +0000

You cannot go anywhere within Australia without seeing a Toyota Camry on the road. The humble Toyota Camry is a car that for generations has embodied sensibility, stability, and reliability.

This is the first fully imported Camry in 30 years! Built in Japan the Mk8 Camry is longer, sportier and packed with heaps of extra goodies. Based off Toyota’s new global vehicle platform, this new Camry will be seen all over the world.

Toyota gave us the chance to experience the all new Camry SX V6 3.5L with the panoramic full glass roof! In go fast red with big 19 inch alloys; these are the biggest wheels ever fitted to a Camry.

The Camry has been one of the most popular fleet vehicles for Australian’s over many decades. The closure of the Altona plant does not mean you will not be seeing thousands of white Camrys on the road.

With the imported model being slightly more expensive than the Australian built Camrys the new safety features well outweigh the price increase and I’m certain you will see plenty of the all new Camry on the road in the future.

Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform is at the very heart of the all new 2018 Camry. This platform has also been used in the new C-HR which also handles well and is a joy to drive.

So what has changed since the previous model? Nearly everything! It’s 30 per cent stiffer, it’s 25mm lower, and with completely new suspension all round which helps deliver a fun car to drive.

The Camry is treading on the luxury saloon market with this very capable sporty revamp of the Camry! The 2GR-FKS engine is a 3.5L V6 that has been used in other luxury cars like the Lexus GS350 and shares lots of similarities to the engine seen in previous models of the Crown Athlete and the Mark X.

For the last three generations of the Toyota Camry you can see that Toyota has been making a concerted effort to improve and develop the Camry into what we see today. Safety features, looks, and interior have all been upgraded.

What caught my eye initially was the new aggressive front face of the Camry with styling cues taken from the Japanese Toyota Mark X GRMN.

With the longer body, the double moon roof, and the crazy new dash I was hooked! I’m normally not a fan of the Camry but this has opened my mind.

Gone is the boring Camry of yesteryear! Today Toyota has brought new life to a car that has been seen for many years as the quintessential accountants car.

The Camry SX is no slouch as its factory claimed 0-100 figure is 6.5 seconds and several car magazines have street tested this and have got the very close figure of 6.79 seconds.

I’m not saying this is a street weapon but it will definitely give a Commodore a run for its money! That said if Toyota did some weight stripping off this car it could be much quicker. Or if they wanted to take the market all they would need to do is make this car rear wheel drive and strap a turbo on the engine. Then they would own the gap in the market left by the exit of the SS Commodore.

The eight-speed automatic does a good job of getting off the line quickly although it does get a little lost if you accelerate hard, then lift your foot, and apply it again. However this can be overcome by the paddleshifters on the steering wheel.

It’s almost embarrassing to say but for the first time I actually enjoyed driving a Camry! I’m all for the changes! Their entertainment system is 90% there, its exterior looks phenomenal, and its performance level has been raised. If they added Apple Car Play and Android Auto plus some better UI design in the GPS area they would have the best package available on the market.

Take for instance Ford; the exterior design of their entertainment system is terrible but the features and ability of their units are class leading. People will buy a car just for its abilities to better interact with their phone.

The car market is changing rapidly and before we know it driverless cars will rule the world! Although we are not there yet the future is coming whether we like it or not. Car manufactures are scrambling to get cars to market quickly and the rapid amount of new in between models are starting to flood the market. I’m glad that the classic Camry remains in a form that is not too different from its original inception in the 1980’s.

The Camry now feels a lot larger with plenty of leg room in the back and more space up front. The SX Camry comes standard with high-grade LED front and rear lights, auto emergency braking (AEB), and lane departure warning.

The boot is massive and it could easily fit a pram or golf clubs if needed. Plus as a bonus you can fold down the back seats and fit extra long items in the boot.

The automatic high beam is another great feature that is the best when your on a long drive. As soon as you reach for the stick to turn your lights back to normal the system beats you and is ready to switch the high beams on as soon as the cars pass.

Toyota has done a great job tuning the suspension for Australian conditions. The car corners nice and flat with little to no body roll. It does not feel floaty or disconnected but rather it feels tight and tuned. The suspension can uncharacteristically feel rough over any deep pothole and this may be one of very few flaws that the Camry exhibits.

Have Toyota reinvented the Camry; or just merged the Aurion and Camry together, thereby dropping a badge and increasing the performance whilst improving the image of the well known Camry.

Whatever the case I’m glad they have improved the humble Camry. Much less boring than its predecessors and finally the Camry has a little spark in its step.
Thanks again Toyota for letting us get our hands on the all new Camry.
– Grant

Reviewed :: TRD Equipped SR5 Hilux

Grant — Sun, 21 May 2017 10:56:43 +0000

The last time we saw Toyota apply a TRD badge was in 2008; yet it is now 2017. So what has changed since then? A whole lot has changed! The Hilux is all grown up and ready to challenge its new rivals.

Although everyone is calling this the TRD Hilux, Toyota likes to refer to it as the TRD equipped Hilux, or the Toyota HiLux with TRD accessories. Unfortunately this means you will not be setting any 0-100 records any time soon but at least it looks like it would go fast!

There is a massive gap in the market for a fast ute as Holden and Ford are no longer able to produce cars in Australia; and they were the one stop shop for go fast utes. So is the market completely changing to prefer styling over performance? Or is it really too expensive to produce a true performance version of the Hilux.

I’m not sure but it is great to see the TRD brand back again in whatever form it takes. When Toyota decided to create a modified version of the Hilux they looked towards their best selling model of the Hilux. Based on the Toyota Hilux SR5 dual-cab diesel 2.8 4×4 the TRD equipped Hilux features all the best bits of the SR5 and a little bit more.

Toyota has made sure that the TRD equipped Hilux looks the part with its bright red bash plate, black wheels, and fancy front grill. The subtle yet aggressive styling makes the TRD equipped Hilux stand out whilst not screaming look at me. But lets face it you do not buy a brand new TRD Hilux to not be noticed and I think the bright red bash plate is just the right amount of kit to make onlookers realize this is not your standard Hilux.

Toyota has dominated the 4×4 ute sector for the last ten years or more. Now with threatening competition from the Ford Ranger, Holden Colorado, VW Amorok and the Nissan Nirvara it’s time for Toyota to step up their game.

The Hilux is an Australian icon and you will see one in nearly every major town across Australia. It really is one of the most capable 4×4 utes ever made.

You can’t stay on top of the market forever though and Toyota recognises this. In retaliation to models like the Ford Wildtrak and Holden Colorado Z71 they have released the all new TRD equipped Hilux SR5. In a bold move Toyota is only offering the TRD equipped Hilux in black or white making the decision much easier for punters.

Passenger-friendly, mid-sized utes, are starting to explode as a category. Just like we saw with the introduction of the SUV, at first there are a few in the market and now its starting to hit the saturation point. Yet the mid sized 4×4 ute is in the early to mid stages of the epic boom that is predicted for the next ten years.

When brands like Mercedes are just about to jump in the ring you know there is money to be made in the segment. So why are family style 4×4 utes growing so much as a category? My opinion is that cashed up millennials and centennials are looking for adventure.

Realizing that playing the game, as an adult, in a world that worships capitalism isn’t the most rewarding pursuit when even billionaires are seen as unhappy. Evidence shows that the likelihood of being addicted to a whole swag of pharmaceuticals is the case for the majority of the super successful capitalists.

So what do millennials desire? Apart from social media fame! “Experience” is the new currency for millennials. Adventure and life experience are what millennials really value! So the best way to achieve this is with a go anywhere vehicle that can carry the family and tow all your adventure gear.

The Hilux is the ultimate vehicle for adventure as it’s tough, sturdy and full of Toyota’s famous reliability. The Hilux is one of the markets top selling vehicles and currently it is dominating the light commercial sector closely followed by the Ford Ranger.

According to statistics 4×4 utes are one of the fastest growing segments in the world so it seems Toyota picked the right time to release the TRD sports pack.

The only things I would like Toyota to add to the TRD Hilux is some extra detailing inside the cabin apart from just floor mats. It would be great if they could have some small hints of red inside the cabin or some TRD stitched seats just to make it feel a bit more special.

The TRD gear knob is a bit dainty for the size of the Hilux. It really needs a big, chunky, manly TRD gear knob! One you can comfortably rest your hand on whilst driving.

After cruising around in the Hilux as a daily I eventually stumbled across the 3 power modes; when initially I thought it only had eco and power mode. Yet strangely there is a mode in between eco / power. This mode I would suppose would be called the normal mode? So why did I let the Hilux default to eco for so long… because I wanted to feel like Captain Planet!

Yes that’s right. I wanted to see if it was possible to save the environment while navigating Melbourne’s traffic and not getting into an accident. I’m sad to say I had to gather the Planeteers and “let our powers combine” and by pushing the power button I was able to get across roundabouts while chanting “go planet”! Power is not a dirty word. I’m glad the Hilux has a good amount of up and go when you need it!

I’m normally not a fan of electric seat controls but the one in the Hilux is amazing and you will find yourself adjusting your setting as you drive just because you can. If the seat came with an extra lumbar support button and a captains chair armrest it would be the perfect seat!

If you want the best 4×4 in its class than the TRD equipped SR5 Hilux is the only choice. Also the Hilux special models tend to hold their value quite well. Although it may look like Toyota has just slapped some accessories on the Hilux it feels like a lot more than that! No wonder the Hilux is respected and loved around the world.
Thanks to Toyota Australia for giving us the opportunity to test and review the new Hilux SR5 equiped with the TRD sports pack.
Thanks for reading,
Grant