In order for you a brand new Toyota Camry Hybrid in Australia, sorry, you’re out of luck.
Toyota has paused orders of its common electrified sedan in Australia, leaving simply the bottom Ascent Sport petrol that accounts for under round 20 per cent of Camry gross sales.
Suffice it to say, if you would like a brand new Camry Hybrid you’ll be ready till the corporate re-opens orders – at any time when that’s – or the brand new mannequin arrives within the second half of 2024.
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Toyota Camry -
Mazda 6
So, what do you do if you happen to’re after a mid-sized sedan? Effectively, you could possibly look to the phase’s second best-selling automobile and – oh wait, that’s the Mazda 6, which our information says is dealing with wait instances of over six months.
There are valuable few direct rivals for the spacious, clean and comfy Camry Hybrid, whereas the Mazda 6 – regardless of its superior age – nonetheless represents a compelling proposition at this value level.
There are simply six automobiles within the mainstream mid-sized phase, and by 12 months’s finish there’ll simply be 5. Do you simply quit on the concept of a brand new sedan and embrace SUVs as so many Australians do, do you spend extra to get a extra premium expertise, or do you avoid wasting {dollars} and get a small sedan?
The world, or somewhat the Australian new automotive market, is your oyster. Listed here are some strategies from the CarExpert group, nonetheless, that can assist you.
William Stopford: Hyundai i30 Sedan or Sonata
What are you able to get as an alternative of a Camry or Mazda 6? Extra like what can’t you get!
Even when passenger automobiles (and sedans particularly) are a lot much less common than they was once, there are nonetheless loads of choices.
You may make the change to electrical and get a Tesla Mannequin 3 or BYD Seal.
You may drop down a phase and get a surprisingly roomy Kia Cerato, or deal with your self and get a costlier mannequin like a Lexus ES, Skoda Very good or Volvo S60.
The pricier Honda Accord hybrid is essentially the most direct rival to the Camry, whereas the Skoda Octavia comes as a liftback or wagon and shapes up as a strong Mazda 6 different.
You may even resign your self to a crossover and get one thing like a Nissan X-Path e-Energy, as a result of lord is aware of you’ll be ready without end and a day for a brand new RAV4 Hybrid.
What would I do, although? I’d in all probability head to a Hyundai showroom.
An i30 Sedan Hybrid is a smaller but equally thrifty different to the cozy Camry, whereas the Sonata N Line presents turbo energy and a luxurious cabin with loads of devices like an up-spec Mazda 6.
MORE: Purchase a Hyundai i30 Sedan
MORE: Purchase a Hyundai Sonata
Paul Maric: BYD Seal
I do know that is tremendous left of subject, however relying on what you’re utilizing it for and the way a lot you had been planning on spending on the Camry Hybrid initially, one thing like the brand new BYD Seal might be possibility.
It’s a sedan, it’s loaded with know-how and there are nonetheless rebates out there in elements of Australia for electrical automobile purchases.
MORE: Every little thing BYD Seal
Scott Collie: Honda Civic e:HEV
It’s not fairly as large because the Camry, however the Honda Civic Hybrid is a reasonably tidy different.
Honda’s hybrid system is great, with a driving really feel that’s much more pure than Toyota’s setup, and the Civic is far more enjoyable to drive than it has any proper to be.
It’s additionally spacious inside, with a monstrous boot and strong again seat. It’s not fairly the sensible different to the Camry, nevertheless it’s a way more interesting automotive.
MORE: Purchase a Honda Civic
Jack Fast: Skoda Octavia
When you’re not prepared to attend over six months for the Mazda 6 and are one of many few individuals nonetheless wanting a passenger automotive, I’d say it is best to take into account the Skoda Octavia.
The Czech-made liftback and wagon is at the moment solely out there in two totally different trim ranges regionally – 110TSI Type and RS. The latter is simply a contact costlier than the Mazda 6 twentieth Anniversary particular version.
Choosing the Skoda Octavia RS not solely offers you a sportier-looking bundle that doesn’t compromise on any space for storing, it additionally offers you the zesty powertrain from the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
When you’re not after the glitz and glam of the Octavia RS, you possibly can as an alternative go for the entry-level Type mannequin that’s much more conservative-looking. It’s additionally powered by the tried-and-tested Volkswagen Group 110TSI engine that’s an absolute pearler.
MORE: Purchase a Skoda Octavia
James Wong: Hyundai Sonata
Having not too long ago stepped out of the Hyundai Sonata, there’s a stage of new-age design and tech that the Camry, not to mention the Mazda, can’t match.
With a beefy 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine below the bonnet and quad pipes out again, the Sonata is an image of understated athleticism and one thing of a sleeper.
It doesn’t deal with with almost as a lot verve because the now retired Kia Stinger, nevertheless it has distinctive seems and a spacious, feature-laden cabin which may make you assume twice about shopping for a base Audi A4 or BMW 3 Collection.
MORE: Purchase a Hyundai Sonata
Anthony Crawford: Honda Civic e:HEV
My affable colleague, Scollie will need to have learn my Honda Civic overview and are available to the exact same conclusion as myself in regards to the current-generation Honda Civic, significantly the hybrid variant.
I’ve at all times classed the Toyota Camry because the proverbial, ‘white items on wheels’ – dependable and environment friendly transport however completely soulless in terms of providing any semblence of driving pleasure. It’s not overly sensible both in comparison with Civic’s hatchback physique with a improbable aperture to an enormous flat boot flooring.
The Honda additionally feels demonstrably extra premium inside and presents rock-solid construct high quality and engineering. Its handing and trip consolation are peerless within the phase. It’s genuinely a terrific automotive to drive.
The Honda Civic Hybrid proves household automobiles don’t need to be boring.
MORE: Purchase a Honda Civic
Jade Credentino: Hyundai Sonata
There aren’t many direct rivals that compete on dimension, engine specs, and pricing.
I might take into account a Sonata N Line, nonetheless, which presents a sportier drive and a plusher inside compared to the Camry. For the dimensions and engine, it’s going to be as shut as you may get to the Toyota Camry and Mazda 6.
It’s a disgrace the Mazda 6 has a protracted wait time as a result of the wagon model ticks numerous packing containers for me.