PIMS 2024 | 9th-generation Toyota Camry previewed for PH market

Just a few weeks after making its regional debut for the ASEAN in Thailand, the new ninth-generation Toyota Camry has arrived in the Philippines, previewed today at the 9th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), and marking another generation for the only surviving Japanese midsize sedan nameplate in our market.

We don’t have much information yet as to whether the new Camry will come in more than one variant as with the previous generation. Pricing is also not yet available at this time.

Talking about design first, the all-new Camry follows Toyota’s other new models in terms of design direction with sleeker and sportier design details. What we get here is much like the Thai version which also looks a lot like the North American version unlike the outgoing and previous generations which were usually more “uncle-friendly” in their design.

The front fascia takes on a revolutionary redesign with Toyota’s new signature Hammerhead design first seen on the Prius and Crown. It features slim C-shaped headlights and taillights, and a large lower front grille. The rest of the exterior is somewhat an evolution of the outgoing generation with a similar body and roofline shape.

It’s also slightly longer now measuring at 4,920mm of length (+35mm). Width and height still measure the same at 1,840mm and 1,445mm, respectively.

Four exterior paint job options are available—Platinum White Pearl, Attitude Black Mica, and new for this generation are Precious Metal and Cement Gray Metallic.

Inside, the all-new Toyota Camry takes on a more modern and upright design with the horizontal theme. As with most new vehicles, screens dominate the dashboard with a new dual-screen layout. As with the previewed unit, we can also expect a two-tone tan and black interior.

While nothing is final yet, we can expect features such as full LED exterior lighting, automatic wipers, acoustic glass, leather seats, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, 9-speaker JBL audio system, ventilated front and rear seats, and two-person memory function for the driver seat.

You’ll also find reclining rear seats with a control panel in the center armrest, as well as manual sunshades on the rear windows, and a power sunshade on the rear windshield.

Under the hood, just like the last iteration of the previous generation, the all-new Toyota Camry is available exclusively with a hybrid powertrain. That’s composed of a 2.5-liter Inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 186 horsepower and 221 Nm of torque, paired with a 100kW electric motor that produces 208 Nm, and a lithium-ion battery. 

This is mated to an E-CVT with total combined electric and ICE output at 227 horsepower. It also has a claimed fuel economy figure of 25 km/l.

The Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite of advanced driver-assist systems is standard on all variants, while you can get either a reverse camera or full 360-degree panoramic-view monitor, depending on the variant.

As mentioned at the start of this article, the Toyota Camry is the only surviving Japanese midsize sedan nameplate in our market (the Mazda 6 Wagon does not count). With that, its niche will only go stronger and we think Toyota Motor Philippines has yet another unopposed winner in their hands.