Both forms of propulsion drive the front wheels through a CVT automatic box. The engine produces 176bhp, while the electric motor tops this up to a total of 215bhp, so the Toyota is the most powerful car here. However, it’s also the heaviest, due to the old-school nickel-metal hydride battery; the Camry weighs in at 1,595kg, which is around 200kg heavier than the Skoda, for example. Still, the Toyota New Global Architecture platform can cope with the weight and uses MacPherson-strut front and double-wishbone rear suspension, which is quite a sophisticated layout. Overall, the Japanese model is well equipped for the cash, offering loads of standard features, but it just doesn’t feel as upmarket and the quality isn’t on par with even its mainstream rivals here. With every iteration of its hybrid powertrains, Toyota is improving performance, feel and refinement, and the Camry shows how good integration of engine, motor and chassis can make a hybrid aimed at fleet customers and business users an enticing prospect. That’s because the torque fill from the electric motor means you don’t have to rev the Camry too hard,but this is only if you’re not bothered about getting anywhere quickly.
Otherwise, you have to stretch the petrol engine more. Do so and, while refinement takes a dip, the performance is more acceptable. The Camry accelerated from 0-60mph in 7.7 seconds, which was only 0.2 seconds behind the lighter and similarly powerful Vauxhall. We couldn’t record in-gear figures due to the CVT, but there’s enough mid-speed performance here. Plus the gearbox has less of the typical surging feel CVTs used to be known for. You have a more direct connection with the powertrain than before, which is a positive, but like the steering, it never really excites when you’re behind the wheel. It’s acceptable but not as dynamic as the two cars it’s up against. That new platform does mean it’s comfortable, though, riding bumps well and with a softer edge to the body control. It’s only towards the Camry’s limits that it starts to float and wallow, but the car’s character encourages a more easy-going, eco-focused style. Roll back the revs and it’s a relaxing way to get around. You sit quite high, so visibility is good, but despite the car’s size, the front of the cabin feels like there’s lots of plastic and seems a little short on storage.
The Superb offers the most space for oddments. All three have all-round parking sensors, but the Toyota is the only one with a rear-view camera as standard. Toyota is traditionally a strong performer in our Driver Power satisfaction survey, but it only finished 10th in our 2019 makers’ table. It was some way ahead of 29th-placed Vauxhall, yet Skoda took fifth place. Camrys get a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, which is good for business users because it shows the brand’s confidence in its hybrid tech. It’s been perfecting this for years and the set-up is very reliable. Euro NCAP hasn’t crash-tested the Toyota yet, but safety kit is good, with all models offering autonomous braking with pedestrian detection and collision warning, adaptive cruise, lane departure alert and auto high beam. You’ll have to go for Excel spec to get cross-traffic alert and blind spot monitoring. Toyota reckons 80 per cent of users will be from the fleet market, so it’s fair to say company car tax is a big issue.
