Note, however, that towing capacity is a paltry 400kg, braked or unbraked. So, how does all that upgraded electrification deliver out in the real world? Keep reading to find out! Efficiency The Model Y Long Range’s name suggests it's the version for those looking for the maximum distance they can travel on a full charge and it is the smart choice in the line-up. That said, the extra range isn’t all that much more than the other grades. Tesla says the Long Range with its battery fully charged can travel up to 533km and has a combined cycle energy efficiency of 16.9kWh per 100km (WLPT). A range of 533km is impressive but only 78km more than the entry-grade Model Y and just 19km more than the top-of-the-line Performance. How accurate are Tesla fuel efficiency figures? Well, my own testing over a combination of all types of driving saw the trip computer report an average of 16.8kWh/100km. Tesla says one of its 250kW Superchargers can add up to 275km of range in 15 minutes. Efficiency The previous Camry hybrid returned between 4.2 and 4.5 litres per 100km depending on grade, while today’s version cuts that to 4.0L/100km, for a carbon dioxide emissions rating of just 91 grams per kilometre (down from 96-107g/km). Result? Theoretically, with its modest 50-litre tank, this 'big' mid-sized sedan can average 1250km between refills. In reality, we averaged just 4.6L/100km, which should see you travel an impressive 1085km on a single tank. Aiding this is slightly improved aerodynamics, along with a weight drop of between 15kg and 30kg depending on grade. The Ascent/Ascent Sport tip the scales at 1565kg while the SL is at 1625kg. Three driving modes are available – 'Normal', 'Eco' and 'Sport', while an EV mode offers low-speed electric vehicle driving over “short distances”, according to Toyota. The only fly in the ointment for some consumers is, as before, the hybrid’s preference for 95 RON premium unleaded petrol. This means a Camry that’s recommended to run on regular unleaded is no longer available with the deletion of the non-hybrid variant. Driving CarsGuide hasn't been alone in criticising the Model Y’s overly firm suspension with potholes and bumps seeming to unsettle the vehicle easily. But Tesla says it's updated the suspension to a more ‘comfortable’ tune and we had a chance to test it. So, is it more comfortable now? Yes, but it could be better. There appears to be softer absorption in the suspension but anything other than small bumps are still prominent. Body control remains a bit jelly-like in that there’s too much jiggling and leaning when driving normally, even on typical suburban roads. At this price point we'd expect the ride to be more comfortable and settled. But this is unlikely to be a deal breaker for most people. Otherwise, the Model Y drives like most electric cars with instant and quick acceleration, direct steering and it’s all done in silence which makes commuting far more pleasant than idling in the traffic with a petrol or diesel engine and a transmission constantly shifting from first to second and back. And apart from not using petrol or diesel that's the appeal of electric cars; how easy they are to drive. What would make life even easier is a head-up display or driver’s instrument cluster because the current central screen set-up, which shows the speed in a fairly small size in the display's top right corner, is far from ideal. There have been cases reported on Australian Tesla forums where displays have broken making the car illegal to operate and if this happens out of warranty the repair can be costly. Be aware, too, that the 'Full Self-Driving' abilities of the Model Y are restricted in Australia. The law states that some autonomous tech can be used, such as adaptive cruise control with lane changing, but you must keep your hands on the wheel. Driving Even if you haven’t driven the previous model for some time, getting behind the wheel of the new Camry is a very familiar – and, for many, reassuringly welcome – experience. Push the start button, select drive via an old-fashioned gear lever, and the sensation is typical Toyota hybrid, but with extended electric driving. Which is the point of the tech upgrade for #9. Near-silent off-the-line acceleration thanks to electric-motor input means smooth low-speed driving, before the petrol engine inevitably takes over. It all happens so seamlessly and feels natural. It’s when more go is required that the latest hybrid tech really makes itself felt, with consistently urgent response. Speed builds strongly, with plenty of thrust in reserve for instant overtaking. You can feel the extra torque as soon as you flex your right foot on the throttle. Off-throttle, the energy-distribution graphics display EV-only motion, and now maintained for longer periods than older Camry hybrids ever managed. Back on the accelerator, and the e-CVT works effortlessly, and without lag or engine drone as per other similar autos. There’s something to be said for honing proven tech. Even the brakes react naturally without being odd or grabby – traits common in many lesser hybrid applications. It shouldn’t surprise anybody that the Camry’s steering is light yet accurate, and with enough weight for solid and controlled handling. The hybrid takes corners with a flat and unflustered attitude that – to most SUV drivers – will seem almost sporty. In reality, there’s not really enough feedback or agility for anybody to mistake this for a Mazda 6 dynamically, let alone a BMW 3 Series, but the Toyota is not pretending to be a sports sedan. Maybe that’s why the old SX grade has been discontinued. But even with that, we weren’t expecting such a big turning circle, until you realise the latest Camry is nearly five metres long. That caught us out a couple of times. Specifically, gutters the front bumper snared when nosing into parking spots. However, there are a couple of more serious issues that need addressing. Firstly, the revised adaptive cruise control features a new speed curve reduction tech that automatically lowers the car’s speed, but it washes away too much momentum and by a potentially hazardous amount at freeway velocities. The Camry slows down far too much, even through gentler arcs, and needs more-nuanced tuning for Australia. Everyone will appreciate how supple the Camry’s ride is. In the 17-inch wheel models, the suspension has a pleasing softness that can be blissfully isolating. But over undulating roads at speed, there’s too much suspension travel, with our example hitting its bump stops on one occasion. Hopefully this is atypical suspension behaviour. Some coarse-road noise comes through, but only over certain surfaces. Otherwise, the Camry drives exactly as you might expect. It's comfortable, refined and easy, yet gutsier than you might expect from a hybrid. Only this time, the 2025 redesign benefits from a bit more electrification that helps it go just that little bit further… in terms of efficiency as well as our estimation. Safety The Model Y was given the maximum five-star ANCAP rating in 2022, scoring incredibly well for occupant protection for adults and children. The advanced tech on board includes AEB, lane keeping assistance and blind-spot warning. Great all-round camera vision is offered by the Model Y, too, which is very much needed for rear vision given the back window's modest viewing aperture. For child seats there are three top tether anchor points and two ISOFIX mounts in the second row. The Model Y doesn’t have a spare wheel, but there is a puncture repair kit. Quick note about the lack of physical buttons. I found not having easy to access physical climate control dials distracting. Most of the car’s other functions are also housed in the media display and I feel this is a potential safety issue. Safety Hopefully, you’ll never need to test the Camry’s safety credentials, but the latest model manages a maximum five-star ANCAP assessment. A broader array of driver-assist tech and a stronger body help. These include the items that fall under the so-called 'Toyota Safety Sense2' umbrella, meaning AEB (with pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist and oncoming vehicle detection), intersection collision avoidance support, emergency steering assistance, acceleration suppression at low speeds, adaptive cruise control (with ‘curve speed reduction’), deceleration assist, lane trace assist with lane-departure alert, speed sign recognition and automatic high beam. Every Camry also includes an 'Emergency Driving Stop System', blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit assist, a driver monitor camera, front and rear parking sensors, parking support brake, a reversing camera with guidelines, seven airbags and a pair of ISOFIX child restraint points with top tethers to match the trio of tether support latches out back. Ownership When it comes to ownership the Tesla Model Y is covered by a four-year/80,000km warranty which falls short of the Hyundai Ioniq 5’s five-year, unlimited kilometre cover and Kia’s seven-year, unlimited km promise on the EV6. As for the battery warranty, Tesla will cover it for eight years or 192,000km, which is better than Hyundai’s eight year 160,000km deal and seven years or 150,000km from Kia. The Model Y has condition-based servicing, meaning it will tell you when it wants to go to a Tesla workshop. Ownership An industry-average five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty is offered on the Camry, though under certain conditions, including taking the car to a Toyota dealer only and on time, can extend the warranty to seven years. Service intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km. Toyota publishes a sharp capped-price service amount of $255 per service. There’s also a year’s free subscription to Toyota Connected Services, providing automatic emergency-services callout in the event of an accident, a range of remote functionality via an app and other benefits, as well as a year’s free subscription to a service that unlocks greater multimedia features. Interested in a Tesla Model Y? Insurance Quote