The 2025 Toyota Camry has solidified its reputation as one of Australia’s safest midsize sedans, earning a prestigious five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) under its stringent 2023-2025 testing criteria.
Notably, the Camry achieved maximum points in side-impact tests, contributing to a record-breaking 95% score in Adult Occupant Protection, the highest ever recorded under these standards. For Australian drivers, from families to fleet managers, this hybrid-only sedan offers peace of mind with its robust safety features and top-tier crash test performance.
This article explores the Camry’s side-impact test results, its advanced safety technologies, and why it’s a standout choice for safety-conscious buyers in Australia.
Unpacking the ANCAP Five-Star Rating
ANCAP, Australasia’s leading vehicle safety authority, rigorously tests vehicles to ensure they meet high safety standards for both occupants and vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.
The 2025 Toyota Camry, available in Australia since September 2024, underwent comprehensive testing across all its variants—Ascent, Ascent Sport, and SL. The sedan’s stellar performance earned it a five-star rating, valid until December 2030, making it a benchmark in the midsize sedan category.
The Camry’s standout achievement lies in its Adult Occupant Protection score of 95%, a record under ANCAP’s latest protocols. This score reflects exceptional performance in multiple crash scenarios, including frontal offset, side-impact, oblique pole, whiplash, and far-side impact tests.
In particular, the side-impact and oblique pole tests, which simulate collisions from the side (such as at intersections), awarded the Camry full points. These tests are critical, as side impacts can be particularly dangerous due to the limited crumple zone on a vehicle’s side compared to the front or rear.
Side-Impact Test Excellence
In ANCAP’s side-impact test, a moving non-rigid barrier, angled at 27 degrees, strikes the driver’s side of the vehicle at 38.5 mph (approximately 62 km/h). This simulates a real-world scenario, such as a T-bone collision at an intersection. The 2025 Camry’s structure and safety features worked seamlessly to protect occupants, achieving maximum scores.
The vehicle’s side airbags, including chest-protecting and head-protecting curtain airbags, deployed effectively to cushion occupants from impact forces. Additionally, a centre airbag, a relatively new feature, provided extra protection for front-seat occupants by preventing them from colliding with each other during a side crash.
The oblique pole test, another critical component, assesses how well a vehicle protects occupants when it strikes a narrow object, like a pole or tree, on its side. The Camry again scored full points, demonstrating its robust side structure and the effectiveness of its curtain airbags in reducing head injuries.
These results are particularly reassuring for Australian drivers, given the prevalence of side-impact collisions in urban environments and at intersections.
The Camry’s compatibility assessment, which evaluates the risk it poses to occupants of other vehicles in a head-on collision, further highlights its safety credentials. It received a low penalty of 0.96 points out of 8.00, indicating minimal risk to others on the road. This balance of self-protection and reduced harm to others underscores Toyota’s holistic approach to safety.
Advanced Safety Features Driving the Results
The 2025 Camry’s top scores are not solely due to its structural integrity but also its comprehensive suite of active and passive safety features. All variants come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, a package of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) designed to prevent collisions or mitigate their severity. Key features include:
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Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB): Effective for car-to-car, vulnerable road user (pedestrians and cyclists), and junction assist scenarios, the AEB system uses cameras and radar to detect potential collisions and apply brakes if the driver doesn’t respond in time. In ANCAP tests, the Camry’s AEB performed exceptionally, contributing to its high Safety Assist score.
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Lane Support Systems: The Camry features Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK). These systems help maintain lane discipline, particularly useful on Australia’s highways and winding rural roads. The vehicle also includes a camera-based Speed Assist system that recognizes road signs and adjusts speed during cruise control, enhancing safety in variable speed zones.
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Airbag Configuration: The Camry is equipped with nine airbags, including dual frontal, side chest-protecting, side head-protecting (curtain), a driver knee airbag, and a centre airbag. This comprehensive airbag setup played a pivotal role in the side-impact test results, ensuring occupants are shielded from multiple angles.
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Proactive Driving Assist: This system provides light steering and braking to avoid obstacles, enhancing safety in dynamic driving conditions, such as navigating busy city streets in Sydney or Melbourne.
These features, combined with the Camry’s reinforced body structure, low hood design for improved pedestrian safety, and high-strength materials, create a vehicle that excels in both crash avoidance and occupant protection.
Implications for Australian Drivers
For Australian buyers, the 2025 Camry’s safety credentials make it an ideal choice for diverse needs, whether for private use, families, or business fleets. ANCAP’s CEO, Carla Hoorweg, emphasized the Camry’s appeal, stating, “This is a popular vehicle, widely used for both private and business purposes, which offers the five-star safety that drivers and passengers expect.”
Families will appreciate the Camry’s Child Occupant Protection score of 87%, with good head protection in frontal and side-impact tests. While some child restraints faced compatibility issues with certain rear seats, the vehicle’s LATCH hardware and overall design ensure secure installation for most child seats, making it a reliable option for parents.
Fleet managers, particularly those prioritizing safety for corporate vehicles, will find the Camry’s five-star rating and long-term validity (until 2030) a compelling reason to choose it over competitors like the Tesla Model 3 or Hyundai Sonata, which currently lack valid ANCAP ratings. The Camry’s hybrid-only powertrain, combining a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for 225-232 horsepower, also aligns with Australia’s push for greener vehicles without compromising safety.
Comparison with Competitors
In the midsize sedan segment, the Camry stands out alongside the BYD Seal, Skoda Octavia, and Mazda 6, all of which hold valid five-star ANCAP ratings. However, the Camry’s record-breaking Adult Occupant Protection score sets it apart. For instance, while the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata are popular alternatives, they lack current ANCAP ratings, making the Camry a more assured choice for safety-conscious buyers.
Real-World Relevance
The Camry’s side-impact test performance is particularly relevant for Australian drivers, given the country’s diverse driving conditions. Urban areas like Brisbane or Perth see frequent intersection collisions, where side-impact protection is critical. On rural roads, where narrow objects like trees or poles pose risks, the Camry’s oblique pole test results provide confidence. Additionally, its advanced safety features, like AEB and lane support, reduce the likelihood of accidents in heavy traffic or on long highway drives across the Outback.
Pricing and Availability
The 2025 Toyota Camry starts at AUD 39,990 (approximately RM 115,000) for the base Ascent, with the top-tier SL priced at AUD 53,990 (approximately RM 156,000). All variants share the same five-star safety rating, ensuring that even entry-level models offer top-tier protection. With its hybrid powertrain, modern infotainment, and spacious interior, the Camry combines safety with practicality and efficiency, appealing to a broad range of Australian buyers.
The 2025 Toyota Camry’s top scores in ANCAP’s side-impact tests, coupled with its comprehensive safety features and record-breaking Adult Occupant Protection score, make it a standout in the midsize sedan market. For Australian drivers, whether navigating city streets or regional highways, the Camry offers unmatched protection and peace of mind. Its hybrid-only configuration, advanced driver-assistance systems, and robust airbag setup ensure it meets the needs of families, professionals, and fleet operators alike. As Toyota continues to innovate, the 2025 Camry sets a new standard for safety, proving that reliability, efficiency, and top-tier protection can coexist in one stylish package.