Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Toyota Camry is a four-door, five-passenger sedan offered in five trim levels, including the gas-electric Camry Hybrid.
The Camry Hybrid has a 147-hp version of the four-cylinder engine, mated with a 40-horsepower electric motor and continuously variable (CVT) automatic transmission. The motor augments the gas engine’s performance and captures energy that would otherwise be wasted as the car slows and brakes, so it can reduce fuel consumption substantially. The Hybrid is equipped comparably to the XLE four-cylinder, and adds Toyota’s Smart Key pushbutton-start feature.
Fuel efficiency is the big selling point on the Toyota Camry Hybrid, with EPA fuel economy estimates of 33 mpg city, 34 mpg highway. Like the Prius, the Toyota Camry Hybrid has a full-hybrid system, meaning that it can move at low speeds on electric power alone; at higher speeds and when more power is needed, the vehicle uses varying combinations of electric and gas-engine power (from a 2.4-liter four-cylinder) and charges the battery system, especially when coasting or braking. The Hybrid’s additional components fit well into the existing package, and the battery system is packaged masterfully and does not affect trunk space.
Safety features on all Camrys include a full complement of airbags: dual-stage front impact airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, upper body-protecting side-impact airbags for front passengers, and head-protecting side air curtains for the front and rear seats. All models come with anti-lock brakes (ABS), which aid steering control during a panic stop. The ABS features Brake Assist, which applies the brakes more quickly and consistently when it senses the onset of a panic stop, and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), which balances brake application front and rear for optimal stopping distance. A tire-pressure monitor is standard. Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control are optional.
Awards
2007 SmartChoice Fuel Costs
2007 SmartChoice Operating Costs
The Highest Possible Side-Impact Rating in its Class
The Highest Possible Side-Impact Rating Midsize Sedan Class
Car Book 2007 Best Bet
2007 Best Cars for Families
Camry Received the Highest Possible Frontal and Side Crash Test Ratings by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
