The 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid is quickly developing a reputation as one of the most comfortable, reliable, and stylish green cars on the market today. We had an opportunity to experience, first hand, the driveability and fuel consumption of this carryover sedan.
The Camry Hybrid is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 147 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. It's also equipped with a 40 horsepower electric motor, bringing the total output to 187 horsepower, which is more than enough for virtually all traffic and driving conditions. The Camry Hybrid almost never feels short on power, and grants near-perfect throttle response. This is ideal for highway on-ramps, and launches from zero when red goes to green. On the other side, the Camry rarely comes on too strong when driving in lower-speed situations. It's a controlled and balanced four-door, slotting comfortably between family sedan and sports sedan.
Government Fuel Economy for the new Camry is 33 city/34 highway. To test its real-world efficiency we took the Camry Hybrid on a 122 mile round-trip from Aberdeen, Maryland to York, Pennsylvania and back. The mixed-driving route was comprised of small in-town roads, two-lane byways and country roads, and approximately 40 miles on Interstate 83. We achieved combined gas mileage of 35.2 miles per gallon, slightly exceeding government estimates—as well as our own expectations.
Found within the gauge cluster, and directly behind the steering wheel, the Camry offers a very well-placed center-console screen, which allows the driver to keep track of how the hybrid powertrain is operating. The clever animation scheme represents the gas engine, the electric power, and the regenerative braking, as well as an arrow indicating the flow of energy—two arrows when the gas engine and electric motor are working in conjunction. To the left of this display is an analog-style consumption meter which displays the instantaneous miles-per-gallon reading. It is unclear how accurate this gauge actually is.
As far as handling goes, the Camry is more than competent. It corners well and offers plenty of driver feedback—as we experienced on the switchback roads of northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. But the Camry is best known for its ride quality. It offers a smooth and compliant road feel that makes it an ideal vehicle for long trips and daily commuting. Furthermore, the transition from gas engine to electric motor and back again, is one of the most seamless we’ve seen so far.
The Camry Hybrid is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 147 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. It's also equipped with a 40 horsepower electric motor, bringing the total output to 187 horsepower, which is more than enough for virtually all traffic and driving conditions. The Camry Hybrid almost never feels short on power, and grants near-perfect throttle response. This is ideal for highway on-ramps, and launches from zero when red goes to green. On the other side, the Camry rarely comes on too strong when driving in lower-speed situations. It's a controlled and balanced four-door, slotting comfortably between family sedan and sports sedan.
Government Fuel Economy for the new Camry is 33 city/34 highway. To test its real-world efficiency we took the Camry Hybrid on a 122 mile round-trip from Aberdeen, Maryland to York, Pennsylvania and back. The mixed-driving route was comprised of small in-town roads, two-lane byways and country roads, and approximately 40 miles on Interstate 83. We achieved combined gas mileage of 35.2 miles per gallon, slightly exceeding government estimates—as well as our own expectations.
Found within the gauge cluster, and directly behind the steering wheel, the Camry offers a very well-placed center-console screen, which allows the driver to keep track of how the hybrid powertrain is operating. The clever animation scheme represents the gas engine, the electric power, and the regenerative braking, as well as an arrow indicating the flow of energy—two arrows when the gas engine and electric motor are working in conjunction. To the left of this display is an analog-style consumption meter which displays the instantaneous miles-per-gallon reading. It is unclear how accurate this gauge actually is.
As far as handling goes, the Camry is more than competent. It corners well and offers plenty of driver feedback—as we experienced on the switchback roads of northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. But the Camry is best known for its ride quality. It offers a smooth and compliant road feel that makes it an ideal vehicle for long trips and daily commuting. Furthermore, the transition from gas engine to electric motor and back again, is one of the most seamless we’ve seen so far.
