I give four stars out of five for the hybrid model of the All New Toyota Camry and three for its gasoline version.

Behind the steering wheel I could give it a bit more, but as a passenger, I would rather stick with the lower score.

The five-hour test drive was held on Jejudo Island on Nov. 18. I was teamed up with two other reporters and drove along some mountain, seaside and forest roads.

Driving both vehicles was a lot of fun. The driving was smooth and sound because the steering wheel and the accelerator were very sensitive to every move I made. It was quite a lot of fun to be in the driver’s seat. When driving on electronic vehicle mode with the hybrid model, the stability and serenity, especially when going around curves, was among the best I have experienced.

However, when I sat next to the driver inside the gasoline model, I found some problems. When speeding, the engine roared as if someone was trying to drive with the emergency brake on and the vibrations were quite strong. In the back seat, I didn’t feel well and had to open up the window to cool down.

This may have been because the gasoline engine is controlled by a standard 6-speed automatic gearbox rather than the continuously variable transmission adopted for the hybrid model. The transmission may not be as smooth as was expected. 


The 2015 All New Smart Camry, which I drove, is the revamped version of Toyota’s bestselling brand the Camry. More than 16 million units have been sold worldwide and it has been one of the most loved family sedans in the United States.

The car is expected to restore Toyota’s popularity in South Korea, which is now dominated by German carmakers in the imported car segment. Toyota Korea CEO Akihisa Yoshida said he expects to sell 3,000 units within a year.

Toyota explained that the Camry underwent a dramatic transformation. And it shows.

The most notable change from its previous models is the exterior. Alongside the large front bumper, the lower grille looks very similar to that of the Avalon, another best-selling car by Toyota.

The LED head lamp and the new rear bumper are small changes but are significant and conspicuous. For the interior, the multi-information display has become attractive, with visual images that are easier to read and understand.

The Camry was also updated with several cutting-edge technologies. The aero-stabilizing pin, which is used in Formula 1 racecars, according to Toyota, and the undercover installed at the bottom of the body help make the driving experience more sound and secure, the Japanese carmaker said.

The combined gas mileage was 11.5 kilometers per liter for the gasoline model and 16.4 for the hybrid model. When driving carefully, I saw the figure rising to 25 kilometers per liter at a certain point. The maximum torque of the 2.5 XLE is 23.6 kilograms per rpm while that for the hybrid engine is 21.6.

“The Camry is all about the Toyota spirit of ‘driving for pleasure,’” said Yoshida. The company hopes to reposition the vehicle from a family sedan to a sporty automobile for young professionals. However, I highly recommend it to those who spend most of their time commuting in the city. Those looking for sporty or dynamic activities may find the car even less appealing than the previous model.

The price for the 2015 All New Smart Camry starts at 33.9 million won ($30,500).

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)