Inside Line test drives the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid (video)
If you're looking for a car that offers environmental benefits with little or no sacrifices, the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrids just might be the car for you. So says Inside Line, which took the car for a solid test drive and reports that, "More than any other hybrid we've driven, the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid has the most seamless transition between electric motor and gasoline engine. If we didn't tell you it was a hybrid and let you drive it, we doubt you would notice."
As you can see in the review video above, Inside Line was able to get 32.6 mpg (combined) from their test vehicle. The Camry hybrid is not the quickest car (it does 0-60 in a fair 8 seconds), but for $26,000, it'll give you hybrid benefits without looking like you're driving one.
Like what you see? Remember that there's still a chance to win a 2007 Camry hybrid if you're feeling lucky.
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joseph 8:55PM (6/27/2007)
They're talking about the Camry Hybrid like it's so popular, but unfortunatley it's not.
I've heard somewhere that Toyota is gonna drop the Camry Hybrid, I think.
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Jeff Rance, II 3:31PM (8/25/2008)
I got wind of the rumor that Toyota was considering discontinuing the Toyota Camry Hybrid and contacted some of Toyota Corporate's Dealer Services to get a straight answer on the issue. The only Camry that is currently being phased out is the Toyota Camry Solara. They confirmed that there are DEFINITELY no plans to discontinue the Toyota Camry Hybrid; it is a VERY HOT SELLER for them (Our dealership, http://ToyotaOfRichardson.com, continually pre-sell our allocation before they're even produced). I hope this helps.
Jeff Rance, II
Online Part Sales Manager
http://ShopTRD.com
Travis Rassat 5:56AM (6/28/2007)
Joseph,
Do you have any links to substantiate your claim that Toyota is going to drop the Camry Hybrid?
I've never heard anything about it. I shot an e-mail over to the Toyota dealer I bought mine from to see if he's heard that rumor. Toyota's been selling over 5,000 Camry Hybrids a month, so that seems like they're selling pretty well.
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Jimmy 12:41AM (6/28/2007)
Joseph, I think you may be confusing the Camry and Accord Hybrids.
Here is a quote from an Associated Press story about the Accord hybrid's discontinuance, published June 5, 2007:
"Meanwhile, demand for Toyota Motor Corp.'s market-leading Prius hybrid has taken off, with 729,800 units sold since December 1997. The company also has sold 53,681 of the Camry hybrids since they hit the market in May 2006.
Bill Kwong, a spokesman for Toyota, said that while the Camry sedan has not produced the same sales volumes as the Prius, Toyota officials are happy with its sales performance and have no plans to take it off the market."
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Tim 1:02AM (6/28/2007)
No thanks, I'll wait for the plug. No plug, no sale!
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Matt 1:53AM (6/28/2007)
I effing HATE Toyota, and I think this is nifty. :)
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Phil L. 7:23AM (6/28/2007)
I suspect Joseph is mixing up the Accord and Camry hybrids.
Honda's announcement of the impending end of the Accord hybrid is here:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/06/03/no-hybrid-for-the-new-2008-honda-accord-diesel-in-2009/
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Owen 7:37AM (6/28/2007)
I remember the days that the camry got 32mpg combined without a hybrid, just a 4 cyl and a 5 spd. My how we've come a long way.
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DThiel 9:51AM (6/28/2007)
Owen,
I also remember the day when that non-hybrid Camry got 32 mpg. It's the same one that would fold like a aluminum pop can in an accident.
Multiple air bags, ABS systems, stouter body structures all add weight. Not to mention weight increases with every new, bigger generation, power everything, navigation systems, high-end stereo systems, sound-proofing, etc. It all adds up.
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Travis Rassat 10:54AM (6/28/2007)
I got a reply from the Toyota dealer - they have heard nothing about the Camry Hybrid being discontinued. Matter of fact, they don't even stay on the lot. They sell them just as fast as they can get them.
I'd be curious as to how much weight the Camry (or any car) has gained over the years. Does anybody have any numbers?
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Jimmy 11:15AM (6/28/2007)
Travis,
(from edmunds.com for base model)
1990 Camry 4-cyl Curb Weight: 2690 lbs
2007 Camry 4-cyl Curb Weight: 3263 lbs
1990 Ford Tarus Curb Weight: 2956 lbs.
2007 Ford Fusion Curb Weight: 3101 lbs.
1990 Chevrolet Caprice Curb Weight: 3693 lbs.
2008 Chevrolet Impala Curb Weight: 3555 lbs.
DTheil, don't try to blame the Camry's bloat on safety features. Today's Camry - and Honda's Accord - are much larger and have much more horsepower than their earlier generations. Toyota did this because they wanted to make more money by selling larger cars with more horsepower. Something which would be a crime against humanity if done by a domestic manufacturer.
Toyota pulled the Camry from the European market because of poor sales, yet it is consistently the best selling car in the US. Proof of America's poor taste in cars.
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Travis Rassat 11:21AM (6/28/2007)
Well, to answer my own question, here are the weights, base horsepower and EPA mileage estimates of the last few generations of Camry sedans, using the base model with an automatic:
1992-1996 - 2932 lbs / 130 hp / 21/28 mpg
1997-2001 - 2998 lbs / 133 hp / 23/30 mpg
2002-2006 - 3086 lbs / 157 hp / 23/32 mpg
2007-normal - 3307 lbs / 158 hp / 24/33 mpg
2007-hybrid - 3680 lbs / 187 hp / 40/38 mpg
So, the regular Camry has gained 375 lbs and 28 hp, while the hybrid adds another 373 lbs and 29 hp.
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Jimmy 11:56AM (6/28/2007)
It is amazing to think that a 2007 Camry Hybrid weights as much as a 1990 5.0L V8 body-on-frame Chevy Caprice!
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Joseph 4:21PM (6/28/2007)
It's Joseph!
I did not confuse the Camry for the Accord.
I do not know where I heard the info saying that Toyota wants to drop the Camry. Wherever I heard this info, from the commenters above who pointed it out to me, it is probably wrong b/c the Camry is appears to be doing rather well.
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strangway 1:19AM (6/29/2007)
Jimmy's right. The Camry was Toyota's answer to the Taurus. American's like their mushy family sedans. Then again, a VW GTI MkV weighs 3,100 lbs.
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Rick 12:23PM (7/09/2007)
I have had my Camry Hybrid for a year now and never got less than 33 mpg. I got the lowest mileage during the wet winter months (in the Northwest). Not sure why, although on a trip across Washington state to Idaho and back in November I got close to 40 mpg. During the summer I routinely get 38 mpg. Mileage is best when driving at 55 mph in the country; driving for extended periods in the city; and when on cruise control at 75 on the a flat highway. All yield mileage at 40 or more. Mileage is worst when taking it on short trips of 0-5 miles to the grocery store (often well under 25 mpg). As for the size of the car, Toyota was a genius for giving us the hybrid option in a heftier and more comfortable car without having to buy a 6 cyl. like Honda tried to do. I have ridden in both the Prius and Civic and the Camry is vastly superior in terms of room and comfort (even though the internal specs for the Prius are comparable). The only negative about the Camry is the trunk size, so you should consider a removable luggage rack for when you have to pick up several people at the airport with lots of bags. BTW - some of the heft comes from the added material to suppress road noise. In short, I luv my Hybrid and wouldn't trade it for anything else!
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