Toyota, Japan's largest automaker, continues its market and sales leadership in gas-electric hybrid technology. Worldwide, Toyota sells 24 gas-electric hybrid vehicles throughout 80 countries, the largest hybrid footprint of any car manufacturer.
The iconic gas-electric Prius hybrid arrived in the U.S. in 2000, paving the way for a host of Toyota-branded hybrid vehicles, including a hybrid-powered version of its top-selling Camry sedan.
The Camry hybrid shares similar dimensions with its gas-exclusive-powered mid-sized counterpart, but with technical wizardry throughout. The first-generation of the Camry hybrid arrived in 2006 as a 2007 model year offering, six years after the segment-busting Prius lift back arrived stateside. Neither Camry hybrid nor the Prius lift back require nightly plug-ins to an electric wall socket as the on-board battery self-charges. The mid-size gas-powered Camry debuted in 1983, replacing the aging Corona.
A recently tested 2015 3.5-liter six-cylinder gas-exclusive Camry included fuel estimates of 21 gallons city and 31 mpg highway. The 2015 hybrid Camry (with four-cylinder internal combustion engine) boosts those estimates upward into the 40 mpg city and 38 mpg highway pathway.
Three trims are available: LE, XLE and top-line SE. All include a large 17 gallon fuel tank holding regular, 87 octane fuel. This compares with a 11.9-gallon tank found in the Prius hybrid, providing Camry hybrid a range of 680 miles between fill ups based on the 40 mpg estimate.
Toyota's well chronicled 'hybrid synergy drive' propels the Camry hybrid. It's the same basic system gearing the Prius lift back. Battery charging occurs via a generator driven by the gas engine and regenerative braking. Each time the brake pedal gets summoned; energy gets diverted to and captured by the hybrid battery rather than being lost as heat. This battery then powers an electric motor. The large nickel metal hydride self-recharging battery has proven remarkably durable during the past decade-and-a-half.
As with many hybrids, the technology teams with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with an infinite number of forward gear ratios rather than a set number (five or six) of planetary gears. While helping add to fuel economy numbers, CVTs are not the performance choice; an easy tradeoff for most hybrid customers.
The base price for an entry LE hybrid checks in at $26,790. Our SE tester includes a slightly higher $27,995 starting price with a $32,233 bottom line after factoring in $1,300 in-dash navigation, upmarket audio package, $915 moon roof, $825 destination charge and a few other stand-alone goodies. By comparison, the lowest-priced 2015 gas-exclusive Camry, a four-cylinder LE checks in at $22,970.
Camry hybrid stores the sizeable nickel metal hybrid battery between second-row seats and the back cargo area, preventing rear backrests from folding down. The recently tested Prius V wagon (debuting in 2012), the largest-sized of four Prius family models, solves this barrier issue with battery storage under second-row seats.
The smartly-designed and informative instrument panel includes two circular analog gauges: a right-side speedometer with smaller fuel gauge tucked on the bottom; to the left, a hybrid-exclusive gauge with uni-dial indicating eco, power or charging. In the middle, a multi-screened digital window with selections picked via a steering wheel option button. A lower dashboard, center-bound multi-purpose touch screen serves as the audio display home with redundant volume and station selection controls found on the steering wheel and flanking twist knobs.
Mid-size dimensions allow three adult riders in row two. Not all hybrids can lay claim to the triple play. Camry hybrid offers more creature comforts and upmarket options than the comparatively spartan Prius lift back. A circular push-button start/stop button is left of the manual tilt-and-telescope steering wheel.
On first glance, Camry hybrid looks very much like its gas-exclusive counterpart. That's by design; unlike its first-cousin Prius, which purposely opts for a smaller, aerodynamic outline.
Camry hybrid includes virtually all of its gas-exclusive's elegantly conservative exterior design cues including a narrow front grille, center, with round Toyota logo, flanked by thin headlight housing. Ten exterior colors are available. Narrow rear "C" pillars join with a short, truncated trunk lid. The only outward sign of its hybrid underpinnings are small hybrid badging on front side fenders and trunk lid.
While driving a Camry hybrid requires similar muscle memories as a conventional Camry, the major difference is heard (or not heard) during initial startup. The quiet electric motor brings the vehicle to life in a whisper-quiet fashion.
Most Camry hybrids sold in the U.S. call Georgetown Kentucky their production. Several additional plants outside the U.S. also assemble the Camry hybrid for other markets. Georgetown Kentucky ranks as Toyota's largest production facilities in the U.S., cranking out not just Camrys and Camry hybrids, but Toyota's full-size Flagship: the Avalon sedan. Avalon also markets a gas-electric variant with construction in Georgetown. Later this fall, the first Lexus model, a mid-size ES 350 sedan, starts production in Georgetown. Lexus is the luxury arm of Toyota.
2015 Camry Hybrid
Price as tested: $32,233
Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
Length: 190.9 inches
Width: 71.7 inches
Height: 57.9 inches
Engine: 2.5-liter four cylinder
Combined horsepower: 200
Curb weight: 3,565 pounds
Hybrid component coverage: Eight years/100,000 miles
City/Highway economy: 40 mpg city, 38 mpg highway
Assembly: Georgetown, Kentucky
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