2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid
2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review
You’ll never get accused of recklessness for buying a Toyota Camry--In the Toyota Prius, the hybrid system was a bold move into unknown technology. The Camry Hybrid underwent a mid-cycle update in 2010 and received new styling cues. To better differentiate the hybrid version from the gasoline-powered lineup, the Camry Hybrid now has a somewhat aggressive looking face with a single-blade grille, a large center air dam and outboard vertical fog-lamps. All of the selling points that a Camry Hybrid provides–a roomy interior, smooth ride and superb fuel economy—have been overshadowed by a menacing storm cloud.
The first half of the Camry Hybrid drivetrain is a 147 horsepower version of the standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that runs on a more efficient Atkinson cycle. The "Camry Hybrid" never feels short on power, and grants near-perfect throttle response. In terms of handling, the Camry is more than competen
The Camry Hybrid’s sheetmetal clothing bears more than a little kinship to the Lexus ES300. There’s also a 60/40 rear-seat folding split, which is lost in Honda hybrids to make room for the extra hybrid components. The in-dash multi-function trip computer display is standard on the hybrid.
Introduced in 2006, as a 2007 model, the Camry Hybrid quickly became the second best-selling hybrid behind the Prius. Sales through the end of October show the Camry slipping to the number four spot, trailing the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Honda Insight, although it competes more with the Prius than the Camry.
The Camry Hybrid has a base price of $26,575 and delivers a government fuel economy rating of 31 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. Ford’s Fusion Hybrid stickers for $28,865 with fuel mileage rated at 41 city/36 highway. Hyundai hasn’t released prices for their Sonata Hybrid but, reading between the lines, expect a price closer to the Camry than the Fusion. And at the pump, the 36 city/40 highway trumps the Camry Hybrid and bests the Fusion Hybrid on the highway by four miles per-gallon.
If judged only on its merits as a competent (if not superior) midsize sedan, the Toyota Camry Hybrid would score well.
As its name implies, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is a regular Camry sedan with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. The Camry Hybrid can run on any combination of the two power sources.
We found that the Camry Hybrid's combination of the gas and electric motors felt surprisingly robust. 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. Very little is sacrificed for these fuel economy gains. Compared to the similarly equipped four-cylinder Camry XLE, for instance, the Hybrid costs approximately $1,500 more. On the whole, however, the Camry Hybrid is a very complete package. For a hybrid family sedan, it doesn't get better than the Toyota Camry Hybrid.
The 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid ranks 12 out of 18 Affordable Midsize Cars. The 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a rare bird. Edmunds writes, "The Camry Hybrid remains one of the best hybrid deals going, offering an enviable combination of excellent fuel economy and familiar midsize-sedan goodness.” Buyers interested in the highest possible fuel economy may want to look beyond the 2011 Camry Hybrid. While the Camry Hybrid boasts a driving experience close to non-hybrid vehicles, the class-leading Toyota Prius’ fuel economy beats the Camry Hybrid’s mpg figures by 20 mpg in the city--The 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid is only available in one trim.
