2021 Toyota Camry pricing and specs detailed: Mazda 6, Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Passat and Honda Accord rival nearly goes hybrid only

As part of its hybrid push, Toyota Australia has confirmed the eighth-generation Camry mid-size sedan will only be available with one petrol variant when its facelift enters showrooms next month.

For reference, hybrid variants accounted for more than 70 per cent of the Camry’s local sales last year, with this rationalisation reflective of the decreasing popularity of its petrol variants.

As such, the Mazda6, Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Passat and Honda Accord rival is no longer available with a 224kW/362Nm 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 petrol engine, which was previously the reserve of its mid-range SX and flagship SL grades.

Meanwhile, a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine can’t be had in the mid-range Ascent Sport grade nor the SX and SL anymore, with it now limited to the entry-level Ascent grade.

That said, the unit in question has been replaced by a new Dynamic Force version, with it producing a more substantial 152kW of power, up 19kW over the pre-facelift Ascent.

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As for the ‘self-charging’ hybrid powertrain that’s now offered across all four grades, it continues to combine a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors to develop 160kW.

Just like before, all Camry variants send drive to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Pricing-wise, the Camry has moved upmarket, with the Ascent petrol now opening the range from $30,990 plus on-road costs (+$2000), while the next-up Ascent hybrid and Ascent Sport hybrid check in from $33,490 (+$1700) and $36,290 (+$2500) respectively.

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At $39,190, the SX hybrid is the only new addition to the range, while the SL hybrid has copped the largest rise, up a considerable $4200 to $46,990.

That said, the facelift does usher in more standard equipment as well as a redesigned front fascia and dashboard, with the latter incorporating a new 9.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system in the Ascent Sport, SX and SL, with the Ascent sticking with a 7.0-inch unit.

The Camry’s suite of advanced driver-assist systems has also expanded to include intersection assist for the autonomous emergency braking system and emergency assist for the lane-keep system as well as road sign recognition.

Standard equipment in the Ascent otherwise includes LED lights, alloy wheels, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, pedestrian (day and night) and cyclist (night) detection, steering assist, adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist and a reversing camera.

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The Ascent Sport adds keyless entry, push-button start, satellite navigation (a $1000 option for the Ascent), dual-zone climate control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and parking sensors.

Meanwhile, the SX also gets sports suspension, larger alloy wheels, paddle-shifters, front sports seats and leather-accented upholstery.

The SL further picks up a power-operated bootlid, a panoramic sunroof, a nine-speaker JBL sound system, a head-up display, heated and cooled front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and surround-view cameras.

2021 Toyota Camry pricing before on-road costs