If you would like 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 need a brand new Camry Hybrid you’ll be ready till the corporate re-opens orders – every time that’s – or the brand new mannequin arrives within the second half of 2024.
So, what do you do in the event you’re after a mid-sized sedan? Nicely, you possibly can look to the phase’s second best-selling car and – oh wait, that’s the Mazda 6, which our knowledge says is dealing with wait instances of over six months.
There are valuable few direct rivals for the spacious, easy and comfy Camry Hybrid, whereas the Mazda 6 – regardless of its superior age – nonetheless represents a compelling proposition at this worth level.
There are simply six autos 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 slightly the Australian new automotive market, is your oyster. Listed here are some recommendations from the CarExpert staff, nevertheless, that can assist you.
William Stopford: Hyundai i30 Sedan or Sonata
What are you able to get as a substitute 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, there are nonetheless loads of choices.
You possibly can make the swap to electrical and get a Tesla Mannequin 3 or BYD Seal.
You possibly can drop down a phase and get a surprisingly roomy Kia Cerato, or deal with your self and get a dearer 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 stable Mazda 6 different.
You possibly can 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 eternally 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 comfortable Camry, whereas the Sonata N Line presents turbo energy and a luxurious cabin with loads of devices like an up-spec Mazda 6.
MORE: Buy a Hyundai i30 Sedan
MORE: Buy 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 have been planning on spending on the Camry Hybrid initially, one thing like the brand new BYD Seal may very well be a superb possibility.
It’s a sedan, it’s loaded with expertise and there are nonetheless rebates out there in components of Australia for electrical car purchases.
MORE: Everything BYD Seal
Scott Collie: Honda Civic e:HEV
It’s not fairly as huge because the Camry, however the Honda Civic Hybrid is a reasonably tidy different.
Honda’s hybrid system is superb, with a driving really feel that’s way 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 stable again seat. It’s not fairly the sensible different to the Camry, nevertheless it’s a way more interesting automotive.
MORE: Buy a Honda Civic
Jack Fast: Skoda Octavia
Should 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 you must think about the Skoda Octavia.
The Czech-made liftback and wagon is at the moment solely out there in two totally different trim ranges domestically – 110TSI Type and RS. The latter is barely a contact dearer than the Mazda 6 twentieth Anniversary particular version.
Choosing the Skoda Octavia RS not solely provides you a sportier-looking package deal that doesn’t compromise on any cupboard space, it additionally provides you the zesty powertrain from the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Should you’re not after the glitz and glam of the Octavia RS, you’ll be able to as a substitute 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: Buy a Skoda Octavia
James Wong: Hyundai Sonata
Having not too long ago stepped out of the Hyundai Sonata, there’s a degree 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 practically as a lot verve because the now retired Kia Stinger, nevertheless it has distinctive seems to be and a spacious, feature-laden cabin that may make you suppose twice about shopping for a base Audi A4 or BMW 3 Collection.
MORE: Buy a Hyundai Sonata
Anthony Crawford: Honda Civic e:HEV
My affable colleague, Scollie should have learn my Honda Civic assessment and are available to the exact same conclusion as myself in regards to the current-generation Honda Civic, notably the hybrid variant.
I’ve all the time classed the Toyota Camry because the proverbial, ‘white items on wheels’ – dependable and environment friendly transport however completely soulless in relation to 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 ground.
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 an important automotive to drive.
The Honda Civic Hybrid proves household automobiles don’t should be boring.
MORE: Buy a Honda Civic
Jade Credentino: Hyundai Sonata
There aren’t many direct rivals that compete on measurement, engine specs, and pricing.
I might think about a Sonata N Line, nevertheless, 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 will get to the Toyota Camry and Mazda 6.
It’s a disgrace the Mazda 6 has an extended wait time as a result of the wagon model ticks a variety of bins for me.
MORE: Buy a Hyundai Sonata