HybridToyota Camry

Toyota Camry Hybrid. The Toyota Camry Hybrid offers the same
roomy interior and sterling reputation as the rest of the Camry
line, but in a greener, more eco-friendly package. With fuel
economy figures in the mid 30s, the Camry Hybrid is certainly
easy on the gas, and can actually operate solely on electric
power in stop and go traffic and low-speed around-town jaunts.
Bigger than Toyotas other hybrid car, the Prius, the Camry
Hybrid not only offers a wider passenger cabin, but also more
power and the security of a trunk. With 10 years experience
building hybrid cars, one might assume Toyota would have a lock
on the market. But stiff competition is always present, and the
Camry Hybrid must now do battle with some equally impressive
nameplates such as the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Chevrolet
Malibu Hybrid.

Current Toyota Camry Hybrid...As its name implies, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is a regular Camry sedan with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. The
hybrid system is comprised of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine (producing 147 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque) and a 45-hp electric
motor. The Camry Hybrid can run on any combination of the two power sources. Power is transferred to the front wheels via a continuously variable
transmission (CVT). The CVT was chosen for its ability to keep the gas engine in its most efficient power band. We found that the Camry Hybrid's
combination of the gas and electric motors felt surprisingly robust. Acceleration betters most four-cylinder sedans and is not far behind many six-cylinder
ones. Since the gas engine of the Toyota Camry Hybrid will shut down at a stop and under some driving conditions, the air-conditioning and
power-steering systems are driven electrically and powered off of the vehicle's batteries. This maximizes fuel economy and guarantees that the
air-conditioning will continue to operate. As with most hybrid vehicles, fuel economy is especially sensitive to driving style, but a combined city/highway
average in the mid-30s shouldn't be too difficult to achieve for most drivers. Very little is sacrificed for these fuel economy gains. Most of the expected
safety features, such as front seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag and antilock brakes are included, and stability control
is optional. Most modern-day convenience features are also standard. Major options include a navigation system, leather seating and a premium audio
system. Those consumers considering the purchase of a Toyota Camry Hybrid should be aware that it does cost more. Compared to the similarly
equipped four-cylinder Camry XLE, for instance, the Hybrid costs approximately $1,500 more. The Hybrid is also a bit deficient in terms of luggage space
-- trunk capacity drops from the regular Camry's 15 cubic feet to 10.6 due to the space taken up by the battery pack. On the whole, however, the Camry
Hybrid is a very complete package. It's roomy, comfortable and fully up to date with the latest features. And thanks to the Prius, Toyota has shown that
its hybrid powertrains are able to meet consumers' expectations of durability and reliability. For a hybrid family sedan, it doesn't get better than the
Toyota Camry Hybrid. [edmunds.com]