Toyota Camry 2021 review: Ascent snapshot

The base Toyota Camry Ascent is the only grade that can be chosen as either a 2.5-litre four-cylinder, or as a hybrid.

The standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder wears a before-on-roads cost of $30,990 and comes equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, LED headlights, a driver's instrument screen, manual air-conditioning, cloth interior trim, and a wide-angle reversing camera.

This car is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 152kW/243Nm driving the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Explore the 2021 Toyota Camry range

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• Toyota Camry 2021 review: SL snapshot
• Toyota Camry hybrid 2021 review: snapshot
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The hybrid variant switches this out for a 2.5-litre four-cylinder with dual electric motors on the front axle, producing a combined output of 160kW/221Nm. It drives the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission.

The hybrid variant also scores keyless entry, push start ignition, and dual-zone climate control over its petrol-only counterpart.

The Ascent with either engine can be optionally fitted with a 9.0-inch touchscreen and satellite navigation package for an additional $1000. Aside from premium paints, which cost $575, it is the only option pack in the Camry range.

Subtle differences exist between the hybrid and non-hybrid versions, with the non-hybrid having a 60-litre rather than 50-litre fuel tank, as well as a full-size spare instead of a space-saver.

Safety-wise the Ascent scores auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition and auto high-beams. For the first time, this base grade has been upgraded to also include lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning, as well as an auto SOS and stolen-vehicle-tracking function. The Camry continues to be covered by a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating first awarded to it in 2017.

The Camry is also covered by Toyota's competitive five-year and unlimited-kilometre warranty, with the first four services (due in 12 month or 15,000km intervals) fixed at just $220.