Sedans are barely bought into these days, but Toyota believes it can rely on its usual supporters. 

SHARPER looks and a smarter drivetrain likely won’t help Toyota’s sole surviving sedan become any more of a home body, but any private buyers won’t be disappointed, the national distributor believes.

As expected, high probability the Camry will primarily be a work-first car, with most continuing in fleet and rental duty preceding generations secured, has largely dictated what variants are furnished here.

However, Australia market tastes also come into it, Toyota New Zealand says.

Now one of Toyota’s longer-serving passenger nameplates, latest Camry lands with a fresh look and less opposition than ever - all the proviso main competitors have gone; latest to leave being the Mazda6 that was dropped last year.

The roadscape tells all; sports utilities are the way, now, and sedans have pretty much gone the way of …? Well, name anything you used to have 30 years ago that doesn’t even register in your life now. Camry to many now sites in the same shed-stowed cardboard box holding compact discs, video players, Rubik’s Cubes, those funny Bluetooth headsets you once wore when driving.

Toyota NZ perseveres because .…? Some would say it’s because the market leader alone has the financial strength to make even the unpalatable seem worthwhile.

The maker calls the new car the ninth generation, but it’s more a big refresh of the outgoing type -  there’s a styling update, a redesigned cabin and the hybrid powertrain has also been updated with fifth generation tech, adding efficiency though - curiously - Toyota NZ’s media share bongs on about it being the most powerful (which it isn’t; that was the long-retired V6). 

The 2.5-litre four, which will get a tick of approval from zealous company accountants for its ability to run happily on 91, makes 138kW and 221Nm. The hybrid system outputs a total of 170kW, up 10kW on the old model. Fuel consumption improves. The GX and SX grades can sip down to 4.4L/100km while the ZR does 4.5.

Bringing it here in those three specifications - spanning $49,990, $52,990 and $57,990 - is an interesting spin when, conceivably, fleet buyers who accounted for almost 90 percent of the outgoing car’s volume were prioritising best price over any specification pedigree. (In respect that that, it’s probable that the full RRPs are a starting point of discussion if a bulk purchase is planned).

That kind of approach has gone transtasman. A spokesperson for the Palmerston North-headquartered market leader says what we get here is flavoured by what our neighbour prefers.

Hence why, in addition to more utilitarian GX and SX types that are decked to withstanding the hard-wearing rigours from life as a rental and company hack, there’s a top-tier ZR with more furnishings than are necessarily required for fleet use.

Which will do best? There’s no doubt it’ll be the price-leading GX, the brand says, though “… customers will get to ultimately choose and make that decision.”

For all its low volume potential, though, thought is there’s no harm in keeping a ZR - not just for that occasional private buyer but also perhaps the executive who wants something more than the staff get to enjoy.

“The ZR Camry we anticipate being popular with our private buyers with the higher spec creating a more luxurious yet affordable feel for customers. 

“Conversely, a GX Grade will be a compelling option for corporate fleets, where an sports utility vehicle isn’t preferred.

“We look at the customers whose wants and needs are best met by Camry, when considering availability,” the spokesperson continued.

“ …the specification we receive in NZ being influenced by the popularity in our part of the world (East Asia Oceania). Camry is still very popular in the likes of Australia, so some of what we see in NZ reflects popularity in the Aus market as well.”

Previous Camrys’ entry into corporate life was so cemented the biggest fleet deals were facilitated directly by TNZ, rather than its dealer network.

That practice seems likely to continue, but the car will nonetheless still represent in the showroom.

“Camry will be available via authorised Toyota stores as well as available to fleet customers in exactly the same way as any other model in our line up.

TNZ has declined to speak to its specific volume expectation and, when asked if it anticipates the new version achieving more sales than the outgoing car, replied: “The volume of this model will be low when compared to our larger more popular selling models like RAV4 and Hilux.

“This reflects Kiwis shifting from sedans to SUVs across all brands and models.”

In respect to that trend, though, it still sees merit in keeping a sedan.

“Offering different size, style and powertrain options for all customers in NZ continues to be a focus for TNZ.”

The GX and SX roll on 17s, the ZR on 18s. The other difference regards the lighting, the higher grade models with full LEDs.

The ZR takes additional features of a panoramic roof, rain sensing wipers and privacy glass. It also gets black leather trim. The SX has a powered driver’s seat, the ZR adds power adjustment to the passenger seat and front seat heating and ventilation. In addition to a 12.3-inch instrument screen also incorporated by the SX, it has a head up display. The usual Toyota Safety Sense systems span all types.

In announcing the car, the local arm suggested this one deserved attention for being “the most powerful ever”. That’s abject nonsense.

Clearly they’ve forgotten about the long-retired V6 editions, which peaked in grunt with the Chris Amon Toyota Sport-fettled manual of the early 2000s, which with the addition of a Toyota Racing Development-supplied supercharger whacked out 206kW and 367Nm.

when reminded of that era, TNZ quickly backed off on its claim, and instead suggested “the additional power provided by the latest (fifth generation) hybrid system adds to the incredible driving experience.”

It also offered that zest isn’t really the optimal strength, saying “all grades will provide an improved fuel economy which will be welcomed by any prospective customer.”