Ratings: 2019 Toyota Camry 2.5V - Top marks in comfort, 173 pts overall

Moving on from the Volkswagen Passat last week, we're scrutinizing the 2019 Toyota Camry 2.5V by evaluating all aspects from driving performance to purchase and cost.

Driving Performance – 37/50 pts, fluid handling

Against younger competitors, the Camry’s aging port fuel injection engine’s shortfall in power is apparent. Though for what it is, the Camry is still fast enough. And the 6-speed torque converter automatic's shifts are precise and plays well with the driver.

Steering feels natural and nicely weighted. Pitch it into corners and you’ll feel the weight transfer, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it’s a form of communication. And it handles bumps and undulations with impressive fluidity.

Ride Comfort – 42/50 pts, plush seats

The fluidity in its chassis translates well into comfort. It goes over undulations gracefully and with excellent composure. Ride quality is just excellent.

The seats are very comfortable, firm yet supportive on all the right pressure points. It feels the plushest among its rivals.

Cabin noise level is relatively low. Tyre and mechanical noises are well suppressed, though slight wind ruffles can be heard at highway speeds.

Quality and Features – 33.5/50 pts, inconsistent paint thickness

Panel gaps deviated by no more than 0.5 mm from opposite sides, which indicates above average build quality.

Paint thickness consistency however, was rather inconsistent, ranging from 100 µm on the bonnet to 180 µm on the driver-side rear-quarter panel. This resulted in a high standard deviation, which ultimately reflected an abysmal score.

Build and material quality are par for the money, with high quality touch points and generous use of soft materials and leather.

One complaint we have is the lack of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. But it does have a rich-sounding JBL sound system.

The Camry is fitted with Toyota Safety Sense, but it's an older version so its adaptive cruise control is not capable of operating in stop-go traffic like the Corolla Altis.

Space and Practicality – 30.5/50 pts, not as spacious as rivals

Interior space is decent in isolation, with about 3 tennis balls of kneeroom and 1 tennis ball of headroom for a 175 cm adult. But the Passat is slightly more spacious, never mind the Accord's vast interior.

racticality isn't as impressive as rivals either, still acceptable. Although the side door bins are relatively small, the centre armrest storage and glovebox are large.

Fuel consumption – 10/20 pts, not as efficient as direct injection engines

After completing a 116.5 km journey broken down to 50% highway and 50% city driving, the amount of fuel required to fill brim the tank is 12.2 litres.

Which gives a calculated figure of 10.5-litre/100 km. In comparison, the Honda Accord returned 8.8-litre/100 km while the Volkswagen Passat achieved an impressive 6.5-litre/100 km.

Purchase and Cost – 20/30 pts, high fuel cost

The Thailand-imported Toyota Camry 2.5V is priced at RM 196,888 (with SST). Price without SST is RM 188,763, valid until 31 December 2020. Considering its features and assembly origin, the price is justifiable.

The Camry loses points in maintenance and fuel cost, which are relatively high compared to its nearest rivals.

Conclusion – 173/250 pts overall

The 2019 Toyota Camry 2.5V offers class-leading ride comfort, impressive driving dynamics, and is decently equipped. But it falls short in terms of space and practicality compared to its rivals, not to mention the poorer fuel consumption.

If you're looking for a D-segment sedan that strikes an impressive balance between body control and a cossetting ride, very few can match the Toyota Camry.