Seriously, Camry Hybrid buyers will have to realize that besides some subtle cosmetic changes and badging on the car’s butt and front fenders, their green-minded conscience will slip into anonymity for two reasons; there are a gazillion Camrys on the road, and a Camry looks too conservative to actually stand out. Still, I like its smart, low-profile appearance.
The two-tone grey interior looks a little industrial but the controls and displays are straightforward and easy to reach while driving. I don’t know why the climate control interface has its own name when all it does is glow a soft blue when the sun goes down. “Honey, we’re roasting in the car! Activate the Plasmacluster!”
For the rest, nothing is breathtaking nor offending in the Camry Hybrid. Apart from a little harshness through the brake pedal (caused by energy regeneration), the powertrain and mechanicals are smooth and operate quietly, the cabin is as sound-insulated as a tomb six feet under, and the car’s ride is syrupy-smooth. All this probably explains why I’m so chilled out and drive so slowly when I’m pimpin’ in this car.
Alas, one trade-off for saving fuel and the planet all at once is limited trunk space. Capacity shrinks from 425 litres to 300 litres because the battery pack is nestled there, and the pass-thru when swinging down the rear seatbacks is considerably reduced; you can still squeeze in a couple of pairs of skis and a few shuffleboard sticks.
At $30,900, the Camry Hybrid is less expensive than its competition, namely the $33,398 Nissan Altima Hybrid as well as the $31,999 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Just so you know, a Prius costs $27,500. And by the way, the Chevy Malibu Hybrid is a goner for 2010, while the Saturn Aura Hybrid was part of GM’s genocide of the whole division.
Is the Camry better than its rivals? Well, it’s a little more fuel-efficient than the Nissan and an overall better deal, but we like the Fusion a lot for its slightly livelier character, better fuel efficiency and innovative instrument panel.
Still, the Camry Hybrid deserves respect. It costs $3,680 more than an LE with the Touring Package and about the same as the XLE, but certain provinces offer incentives for hybrid vehicles, which sweetens the deal. A Camry may not be an exciting piece of machinery, but it performs its duties like it should and entices relaxed driving, which is a good thing.
photo:Michel Deslauriers
The two-tone grey interior looks a little industrial but the controls and displays are straightforward and easy to reach while driving. I don’t know why the climate control interface has its own name when all it does is glow a soft blue when the sun goes down. “Honey, we’re roasting in the car! Activate the Plasmacluster!”
For the rest, nothing is breathtaking nor offending in the Camry Hybrid. Apart from a little harshness through the brake pedal (caused by energy regeneration), the powertrain and mechanicals are smooth and operate quietly, the cabin is as sound-insulated as a tomb six feet under, and the car’s ride is syrupy-smooth. All this probably explains why I’m so chilled out and drive so slowly when I’m pimpin’ in this car.
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| The controls and displays are straightforward and easy to reach while driving. |
Alas, one trade-off for saving fuel and the planet all at once is limited trunk space. Capacity shrinks from 425 litres to 300 litres because the battery pack is nestled there, and the pass-thru when swinging down the rear seatbacks is considerably reduced; you can still squeeze in a couple of pairs of skis and a few shuffleboard sticks.
At $30,900, the Camry Hybrid is less expensive than its competition, namely the $33,398 Nissan Altima Hybrid as well as the $31,999 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Just so you know, a Prius costs $27,500. And by the way, the Chevy Malibu Hybrid is a goner for 2010, while the Saturn Aura Hybrid was part of GM’s genocide of the whole division.
Is the Camry better than its rivals? Well, it’s a little more fuel-efficient than the Nissan and an overall better deal, but we like the Fusion a lot for its slightly livelier character, better fuel efficiency and innovative instrument panel.
Still, the Camry Hybrid deserves respect. It costs $3,680 more than an LE with the Touring Package and about the same as the XLE, but certain provinces offer incentives for hybrid vehicles, which sweetens the deal. A Camry may not be an exciting piece of machinery, but it performs its duties like it should and entices relaxed driving, which is a good thing.
photo:Michel Deslauriers
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