| A Week at the Wheel | Boulder, Colorado, USA | Toyota Camry Hybrid |
It's over a year since the Camry Hybrid was first unveiled to the media at the
Detroit Auto Show and the mid-size sedan has come a long way in a short time .The 2007 Camry Hybrid is Toyota's third gas-electric vehicle in its environmentally friendly line-up and the other two - the Highlander Hybrid and the Toyota Prius - have already been majorly successful, which means there's no reason the Camry shouldn't be too.
For the record, both Camry hybrid and gas models look identical. The only clue is the badging on the trunk and fender of the hybrid model. The metallic, pastel-green Camry that we drove for week provided a refined, roomy, and very economical ride. It utilizes a 141bhp electric motor hooked up to a 147bhp, 2.4-liter, DOHC gas engine. The combination of these two systems results in a decent 187bhp maximum.
The Camry's energy system is able, depending on conditions, to adjust the power between the gas and electric motor or use a combination of both. A continuously variable transmission helps the engine operate at maximum fuel efficiency. The gas engine's torque is rated at 138lb.ft at 4,400rpm and, for the geeks among us, the electric motor torque is 199lb.ft at zero to 1,500rpm.
One of the Camry hybrid's strangest attributes is the relationship between its throttle, engine speed, and engine note. The accelerator has long travel and feels desensitized to all but the most urgent prods. When you stomp the pedal, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) revs the engine endlessly and it feels like a car with a slipping clutch. Don't be fooled though; it may feel sluggish and strange, but with a zero to 60mph acceleration time of 8.7 seconds, this car is not to be sneezed at. By comparison, the previous-generation non-hybrid Camry, with an inline-four engine, took a leisurely 10 ticks of the clock to reach 60 mph.
Styling has been freshened for 2007 with a sleeker, more aerodynamic body and an interesting bubble shaped tail, which is reminiscent of a certain German car maker I won't mention. The new Camry is a handsome car from the front, but the rear end received mixed reviews.
The new Camry's cabin isn't revolutionary either, nor notably bigger, but it's solidly screwed together and ergonomically efficient, with lots of handy stowage bins. Differences between the gas-engined Camry XLE model and the Camry Hybrid include the Hybrid's standard Smart Entry keyless locking and push button start system, power door locks and windows with an anti-lockout feature, and an air conditioning system driven by an electric motor so that it works whether you're running on battery or engine power.
The Hybrid loses the XLE's reclining rear seats, but retains a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. Other comfort options for the Camry Hybrid include a leather trimmed interior, a power moon roof, and a navigation system with a four-disc CD changer and Bluetooth capability. The center instrument console in the XLE and Hybrid models are finished in a translucent blue plastic which offers an attractive, modern way of livening up an instrument panel without resorting to the excessive use of faux wood or aluminum. One notable difference between the models is that the hybrid dash has no rev counter, but instead offers a fuel consumption meter depicting the electric/gas power ratio.
Toyota's Camry Hybrid offers a comfortable, middle of the road feel when cruising around town. It feels a little odd on bumpy roads, which may be attributed to the weight of the hybrid set-up. Handling is solid with steering that provides fairly decent feedback. The stiffened chassis (beefed up to deal with the added weight of the hybrid system) allows for good composure when negotiating twisty roads.
The suggested retail price is around $26,000 for the 2007 Camry Hybrid. Our test car added up to $28,449 with leather trim and the Comfort and Convenience package. The higher price tag gets you more than just hybrid components. The Camry Hybrid includes the CVT that a driver operates like an automatic, plus some up-scale comforts like an 8-way, power driver's seat. In comparison, a gas-only-powered Camry with 150-horsepower four-cylinder engine, automatic transmission and six-way manual driver's seat had a starting price of just over $19,900 at the start of the 2007 model year. The lowest starting retail price for a Camry with 268-horsepower V6 and automatic was just over $23,000. Indeed, the Camry Hybrid's starting price is second only in the Camry lineup to the top-of-the-line Camry XLE with V6.
It took me a while to get used to the Camry's laid back driving traits, having hopped out of a
Jaguar XK the week before. However, once I got used to the way everything worked, I actually grew to like the car. The Bluetooth hands-free worked like a charm, the cabin is spacious and comfy, and the ride is very quiet. The gas mileage ended up at around 37mpg (US gallons of course) for the week we drove it. We had driven almost 400 miles and the tank level had dipped towards a quarter, which is nice. Overall this is an unassuming, reliable machine that is by no means perfect, but if gas mileage is your bug bear, then this is a strong option to consider.
2007 Toyota Camry range overview
- Toyota Camry CE: $18,470
- Toyota Camry LE: $19,925
- Toyota Camry SE: $21,140
- Toyota Camry XLE: $24,900
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Toyota Camry Hybrid: $26,200
