Camry Hybrid

If you want proof that hybrid-powered cars are now officially mainstream, look no further than the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid. It’s the class of the field.

Pros
Roomy cabin, efficient hybrid powertrain, stronger acceleration than many regular four-cylinder family sedans.

2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid Vehicle Overview
The main difference is that under this Camry's hood is a gasoline/electric powertrain. Building off its experience with the Prius and Highlander Hybrid, Toyota has fitted its latest "Hybrid Synergy Drive" system into the Camry.

The 2.4-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine generates 147 horsepower and is coupled to a CVT (continuously variable transmission). The second half of the Hybrid Synergy Drive equation consists of a small, high-torque electric motor that produces 40 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque at low rpm. This combination, along with other power-saving features, allows the Camry Hybrid to deliver EPA estimates of 40 mpg city/38 mpg highway.

Overall, however, the new Toyota Camry Hybrid is a very impressive and complete sedan. It's transformed the previous image of owning a hybrid vehicle (owner = eccentric granola-fueled beatnik) to one of the acceptable mainstream. Its closest competition comes from, naturally, the Honda Accord Hybrid, though the Accord is considerably more powerful and more expensive. Each has its own particular advantages, but the more fuel-efficient Camry Hybrid is apt to be the better choice for most shoppers.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a midsize sedan. Standard features include 16-inch wheels, keyless entry, power windows and mirrors, Smart Key, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, a power driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control with a high-tech air filter, a special multifunction display and a JBL audio system with an in-dash six-CD changer. Popular options include leather seating, a navigation system and a sunroof.

Powertrains and Performance
In the Camry Hybrid, the gas-fueled engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder modified for greater fuel efficiency, and it's capable of 147 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque. The electric motor adds another 40 hp that provides a cumulative total of 187 hp when driving conditions call for maximum power. The electric motor can also power the Camry Hybrid on its own, but only under light throttle applications at speeds below 30 mph. EPA fuel economy estimates are 40 mpg city, 38 mpg highway.

Testimonial

While operating two businesses, there was no way I would have been able to spend time walking dealer lots in search of the perfect truck--dealing with John, over the course of only a few phone calls between us, I was able to get the exact truck I needed. The price was lower than I'd expected, so there was no need to negotiate over price. John even got the financing for me, and he had the loan documents ready for me to sign when I picked up the vehicle.

Mark L. Oller

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Safety
Every Camry comes with seven airbags (dual-stage front airbags, front-seat side, full-length side curtain airbags and a driver knee airbag), a tire-pressure monitor and antilock brakes with brake assist (BA) and EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution. Stability control (which includes traction control) is also standard.
Interior Design and Special Features
In addition to more space for passengers, the new Camry Hybrid offers other features that increase cabin comfort. One example is the standard "Plasmacluster" air filtration system, which Toyota says ionizes incoming air and neutralizes germs and odors. And like other Camry models, the Hybrid has plenty of cubbies and compartments to hold CDs, cell phones and garage cards. The trunk holds only 10.6 cubic feet of cargo (as compared to a regular Camry's figure of 15 cubic feet) because of the additional space taken up by the battery pack.

Driving Impressions
Like the Prius, the Toyota Camry Hybrid experience is a bit odd at times due to the CVT transmission and eerily quiet cabin at traffic lights. Not like the Prius, however, is the Camry Hybrid's brisk acceleration. Although not nearly as quick as a V6-powered Camry, the Hybrid is able to hit 60 mph in 8.6 seconds. As for fuel economy, the Camry Hybrid is typical in that driving style has a large impact on the results. Proper technique can keep average fuel economy well above 30 mpg.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is part of Toyota Motor’s long-term plan to offer hybrid versions of virtually every model it sells. The gasoline/electric Camry sedan debuted at the same time conventionally powered models got a redesign, in the first quarter of 2006 for the 2007 model year.

Toyota is betting that gasoline prices will spark growing interest in its hybrid technology among frugal and environmentally conscious consumers.
Get a Toyota Camry Hybrid price quote

Toyota bases the Camry Hybrid on a version of the standard sedan’s base, four-cylinder engine, unlike Honda’s competing Accord Hybrid, which has a V6 gasoline engine. The Camry’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system pairs the gasoline engine with an electric motor/generator and self-charging battery pack, to generate almost 200 hp. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) drives the front wheels. A CVT uses belts and pulleys instead of gears. The Toyota Camry Hybrid is not as quick as a V6-based hybrid, but it gets better fuel economy, at an estimated 40 mpg city/38 mpg highway.

Unfortunately, for many drivers hybrid-car fuel economy tends to be at least 20 percent lower than EPA estimates. Even so, mileage is impressive for a five-passenger family car with a big trunk.

With a sticker price approaching $26,000, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is the costliest four-cylinder Camry in the line. The hybrid technology probably adds about $3,000 to the car’s suggested retail price. That implies it will take around six years to recover the added cost in fuel savings alone.

Toyota Camry Hybrid Vehicle Summary
The Hybrid is cosmetically identical to a conventionally powered Camry, except for specific badging. Driving characteristics are similar to the conventional car as well, which means it favors a smoother ride over sporty handling.

All hybrid-related components, including the battery pack, carry an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty.
The sedan comes well-equipped and includes items like a tire-pressure monitor, a premium JBL audio system with an auxiliary jack for connecting portable audio devices, a Bluetooth hands-free adapter for similarly enabled cell phones, a power driver’s seat and heated outside mirrors.

A 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an integrated electric motor delivers up to 192 horsepower, allowing the Camry Hybrid to dash from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than nine seconds. The EPA estimates 43 miles per gallon in the city and 37 miles per gallon on the highway.