Toyota not only leads the industry in gas-electric hybrid sales, but with all-important street cred too. While dual technology gas-electric hybrids become more commonplace, Toyota's remains top of mind when conversations steer toward such a topic.
Last summer, Toyota's bean counters provided impressive data backing up the boast. More than eight million Toyota/Lexus gas-electric hybrids have been sold worldwide since the game-changing Prius debut in the late 1990s.
Camry added a gas-electric hybrid sibling in the 2007 model year and in 2015 underwent a next-generation redesign. This year's effort remains largely a carryover from 2015. Adding a hybrid variant to America's best-selling car creates a huge potential audience for those yearning to dip their toes into fuel-extending propulsion.
Camry's 2016 front-wheel-drive hybrid requires no overnight plug in as charging remains self-contained. Regular 87-octane fuel powers a conventional four-cylinder engine. Toyota's longevity within the gas-electric community provides an extensive, impressive track record when compared to relative newcomers with much shorter resumes.
Powering Camry's Hybrid Synergy Drive: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine, high-torque electric motor and continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled with a sealed nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack. Nickel metal hydride has been the go-to, durable choice for Toyota's best-selling Prius lift back hybrid since its first generation available in the U.S. (2000-2003) through the 2015 model year.
All-electric plug-in vehicles (such as the Nissan Leaf) and most of Camry's mid-size sedan gas-electric hybrids opt for lithium-ion style battery packs. This technological provides lighter weight, but holding prolonged, sustained electric charges continues as a frustrating side bar.
The electric motor-gas engine combo provides impressive low-end torque grunt, besting many solo four-cylinder engines and propelling Camry hybrid from zero to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. This same electric motor performs double duty, acting as a generator capturing kinetic energy during braking, storing within the nickel metal hydride battery pack for later energy use.
As with all Toyota hybrids, push button start comes standard. Be forewarned; once summoned to action, the hybrid system remains eerily quiet since the electric motor starts up before the throatier gas engine kicks in. Dashboard icons best inform drivers of the system's call to duty.
Toyota handles the switch from electric motor to gas propulsion seamlessly, smoother than the growing number of mid-size gas-electric hybrid rivals including Ford's Fusion hybrid and Chevrolet's Malibu hybrid. The hand off to gas propulsion usually takes place under 10 miles per hour, but may percolate when idling during cooler temperatures.
An electric vehicle or "EV" mode push button between bucket seats permits Camry hybrid pure electric mode driving for short (1.6 miles), low-speed durations.
Prolonged inaction at traffic intersections or extended standing idles summons a start/stop feature, prevalent in gas-electric hybrids. Indeed, the gas engine noticeably powers down, but cranks back to action with no detectable delay once employing the gas pedal. Designed to conserve fuel, start/stop has graduated to select conventional gas vehicles. The process takes some warming up to if unacquainted.
While the mid-size Camry does little visually to call blatant attention to its hybrid underpinnings, one simple, tell-tail sign is found within Toyota's circular 'T' logo embossed into the center grille and trunk region. Toyota gas-electric hybrids incorporate a blue logo backdrop distinguishing such vehicles as a bit gentler to the planet. The hybrid edition continues Camry's rather conservative, yet relevant sedan ambiance. A large rear and decent-sized side windows provide ample sight lines for drivers, better than its Prius cousin.
Toyota now car pools with the high-octane Chicago Cubs band wagon this season as one of a handful of 'legacy' sponsors; a promotional distinction allowing for some creative interplay with the Boys in Blue during their push towards the fall classic.
For example, a half-dozen Cub's owned parking lots flanking the Friendly Confines now identify as the RAV4 lot, Camry Lot and Highlander lot. In the spirit of fair play, non-Toyota vehicles may pull in and park. Also, Toyota's logo now underscores the prominent red Wrigley Field marquee at the historic Clark and Addison intersection.
While early generation Prius instrument panels and dashboards resembled flashy video games with a dizzying array of in-motion graphics animating the hybrid process, Camry hybrids opt in for a less distracting approach. If desired, however, the six-inch multi-function center screen includes an in-motion flow chart selection; one of a dozen or so touch-available commands including navigation display or audio tutorial.
This touch screen and ventilation controls below remain easily interpreted at-a-glance. Two large twist dials monitor audio levels and channel selections while ventilation controls include two twist dials and large push buttons. Below, USB outlet, 12-volt plug-in port and optional cordless powering pad reside within a tucked cove with flip cover.
Two circular old-school instrument panel analog gauges flank a vertical digital info window scrollable via 3 o'clock steering wheel buttons and tabs. While the right-side orb includes a conventional outer ring speedometer and bottom-rung half-moon fuel indicator, the left sphere needle swings between 'Eco," "Power" and "Charge" outer ring regions depending upon the hybrid system's current condition.
As with conventional Camry sedans, three riders situate within second row confines. Nickel-metal hydride battery storage behind the second row provides limited pass through to the trunk region through a smallish gap. Only the right-side back rest folds forward once a topside trunk-mounted tab gets yanked.
Camry hybrid offers three trim choices: base LE, top-line XLE and sporty SE which debuted in 2014 with sport-tuned suspension, leather-trimmed steering wheel and front grille filled in with piano-black meshing.
Our SE test trim included a $27,995 starting price. The bottom line ended at $29,820 including a $915 power sun roof, $75 wireless cell phone charging pad benefitting Qi-compatible devices and $835 destination charge. The lowest-priced 2016 Camry hybrid, an LE trim, checks in at $26,790. A conventional 2016 Camry LE sedan starts at $23,020.
Our SE tester delivered an estimated 40 mpg city and 38 mpg highway, a boost up from conventional four-cylinder Camry's 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, but less than the 2016 Fusion hybrid or 2016 Malibu hybrid.
Honda offered a gas-electric hybrid version of its top-selling Accord sedan, available in all 50 states, during the past several years. But in 2016, manufacturing shifts from Ohio to Japan with a delayed dealer return expected sometime in the 2017 model year.
Assembly of Camry hybrids occur at Toyota's sprawling Georgetown Kentucky assembly line where conventional gas-powered counterparts also call home. The facility ranks as one of Toyota's largest worldwide capable of churning out 550,000 units annually, a hefty quantity when stacked against rival facilities.
2016 Camry hybrid
Price as tested: $29,820
Gas Engine: 2.5-liter four cylinder
Combined Horsepower: 200
Fuel estimates: 40 mpg city/ 38 mpg highway
Length: 190.9 inches
Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
Height: 57.9 inches
Width: 71.7 inches
Curb weight: 3,565 pounds
Hybrid component warranty: 8-year/100,000 miles
Assembly: Kentucky
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