Doing battle with the likes of the Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota's Camry is a sensible, efficient and comfortable sedan that can be ordered to fit just about any family's needs. Available with four cylinder, six cylinder or hybrid power, Camry caters to owners looking for a precise blend of performance and environmentally sensitive operation.
Under Camry's hood are a selection of engines- starting with a 2.4 liter inline four cylinder with 158 horsepower. A 3.5 liter, 268 horsepower V6 can be fitted, utilizing variable intake and valve-timing systems to turn in excellent relative mileage alongside startling acceleration.
The hybrid solution
The tester carried Toyota's popular Hybrid Synergy Drive, pairing an electric motor system with a four cylinder engine for increased mileage and power than either is capable of alone. Mileage as high as 50 miles per gallon is possible, according to EPA ratings. A reduction in harmful emissions is another of the Camry Hybrid's benefits- and the EPA has given it their "Smart Way' designation as a seal of approval for its environmental performance.
Hybrids are catching on, proving their ability to save owners money at the pumps for an up-front premium. They don't always pose break-even operation financially speaking, but they do put owners on the cutting edge of a new and exciting technology. Toyota is a leader in hybrid cars, with more on the road than any other manufacturer. Given the relative newness of the technology, that's pretty confidence inspiring.
Nearly seamless green operation
Specifically adapted to each model that uses it, Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system manages to bring nearly invisible hybrid operation to the Camry. If you weren't paying attention, you'd hardly notice anything unusual going on- albeit a lack of engine sounds during start-up or low-speed driving.
Hybrid Synergy Drive works smoothly and cleanly while driving the front wheels through a CVT transmission. A full hybrid, Camry can move at up to 60 km/h on battery power alone.
Moments of fuel-free driving add up over the course of each day to help boost mileage. For instance, I drove about 3 minutes off of an exit ramp through a 60 km/h zone, through a coffee shop drive thru, and back to the road before the gas engine came back online. Camry can't cruise the highway on voltage alone- though when the gas engine has to run, it recharges the batteries automatically with no plugging in required.
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| Hybrids are catching on, proving their ability to save owners money at the pumps. |
Under Camry's hood are a selection of engines- starting with a 2.4 liter inline four cylinder with 158 horsepower. A 3.5 liter, 268 horsepower V6 can be fitted, utilizing variable intake and valve-timing systems to turn in excellent relative mileage alongside startling acceleration.
The hybrid solution
The tester carried Toyota's popular Hybrid Synergy Drive, pairing an electric motor system with a four cylinder engine for increased mileage and power than either is capable of alone. Mileage as high as 50 miles per gallon is possible, according to EPA ratings. A reduction in harmful emissions is another of the Camry Hybrid's benefits- and the EPA has given it their "Smart Way' designation as a seal of approval for its environmental performance.
Hybrids are catching on, proving their ability to save owners money at the pumps for an up-front premium. They don't always pose break-even operation financially speaking, but they do put owners on the cutting edge of a new and exciting technology. Toyota is a leader in hybrid cars, with more on the road than any other manufacturer. Given the relative newness of the technology, that's pretty confidence inspiring.
Nearly seamless green operation
Specifically adapted to each model that uses it, Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system manages to bring nearly invisible hybrid operation to the Camry. If you weren't paying attention, you'd hardly notice anything unusual going on- albeit a lack of engine sounds during start-up or low-speed driving.
Hybrid Synergy Drive works smoothly and cleanly while driving the front wheels through a CVT transmission. A full hybrid, Camry can move at up to 60 km/h on battery power alone.
Moments of fuel-free driving add up over the course of each day to help boost mileage. For instance, I drove about 3 minutes off of an exit ramp through a 60 km/h zone, through a coffee shop drive thru, and back to the road before the gas engine came back online. Camry can't cruise the highway on voltage alone- though when the gas engine has to run, it recharges the batteries automatically with no plugging in required.
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| A full hybrid, Camry can move at up to 60 km/h on battery power alone. |