20 Jul 2010 | Text and Photos by Benjamin G. Kline
Dad’s shocker
Toyota finally brings their experience with hybrids to their mainstream models. Externally, the latest Camry Hybrid looks no different from its pure petrol siblings but as they say, the difference is truly skin deep.
Sacrifice used to be part and parcel when it came to choosing a hybrid car. Be it in terms of space, comfort or driving pleasure and for the longest time, we accepted it as a necessary trade-off for better fuel economy. The launch of the new Camry Hybrid however, has changed all that. It is little wonder why Toyota took one of their best selling mainstream models to be the first recipient of their hybrid technology.
For the last four years, the Camry has set itself to be the best all-rounder in the mid-size sedan market. It has dominated the sales charts with its plaint ride, roomy interior and passenger comfort despite the determined onslaught from its fellow competitors. The next natural evolution for Toyota it seems was to improve its fuel economy. This, Toyota has done by giving it a hybrid drivetrain. Besides that, little has changed to distinguish the Hybrid from its pure petrol siblings.
Exterior
On first impressions, the latest Camry Hybrid looks…well…exactly the same as the pure petrol Camrys. The same, unassuming and conservative lines remain. The front fascia hasn’t changed much save for a couple of blacked out slats from the chrome grille but otherwise no changes are observed in the front.
Moving on to the rear, it is the same case as well though there is however a minor distinct change. The rear taillights have been replaced with LED variants that does elevate the futuristic high-tech look that a hybrid should possess.
It is disappointing that Toyota didn’t spend more effort in distinguishing the Camry Hybrid from the pure petrol models. Besides slapping on a couple of hybrid badges that are strategically placed around the car. While photographing the exterior of the car however, I noticed that the parking sensors weren’t the same colour as the car which made them stick out like sore spots on the bumpers.
Perhaps a couple of design features could have been borrowed from the Camry Hybrid our Australian friends are getting. Its futuristic guise seems more appropriate for the high-tech nature of the electric-petrol powerplant underneath.
Interior
The staid exterior aside, the Camry does win me over with its interior. Hop into the Camry and you will find that the driver’s seat is supportive in the right places. What I don’t agree with though is the steering wheel’s low position which makes me feel like I’m sitting on top of the car rather than in it.
Besides that, the Camry comes with fully electric seats for both driver and passenger with memory function for the driver’s side. One rather thoughtful feature Toyota put on the right side of the passenger back rest were the seat adjustment buttons facing the driver. A useful function for the driver to help adjust the passenger seat without reaching over the other side. It also doubles as a cheeky option for the driver to mess with his passenger. The electrics don’t stop there. Windows are one touch all around with manual blinds for the rear side windows.
The high quality back-lit Optitron instrument cluster behind the steering wheel is pleasant to behold both in the day and night. In theCamry Hybrid though, the rev counter has been substituted with a fuel economy gauge that shows how economically you’re driving in real-time. Other eco-driving indicators include the blue rings around the dials that glow more intensely the more economically you drive.
Moving on to the dash, there is an improvement of the interior plastics used though some parts still possess a tacky feel to them. But what I find most disagreeable is the wood trim generously splashed across the interior. It might get the heartland Uncle’s hearts racing but it tends to have the opposite effect for most. The wood trim does take the luxury feel of the interior down a notch though an option for other trim would easily rectify that.
The centre console is simple but functional and included in the Camry Hybrid is the unique audio system that’s integrated with a Tom Tom GPS system. Using the audio system takes some getting use to as the there is no clear display for the audio functions. However the audio system does come with an AUX-in jack that is placed discretely away under the wood trim cover behind the gear lever. Despite the audio system’s awkwardness, it does pump out reasonably good tunes. Just below the audio system is the climate control panel. One interesting feature on the Camry is the replication of the temperature controls on the steering wheel. A useful function that I haven’t seen on other brands before.
Lower down you find the controls for two of the Camry’s slew of equipment. One is the electric blinds for the rear windscreen and the other are the controls for the aircon front seats for keeping your bum nice and dry.
The rear seats here are just as comfortable as in the petrol Camrys. Giving more than ample legroom and headroom thanks to the Camry’s conservative roofline.
The boot of the Camry Hybrid has taken some casualties due to the placement of the motors and batteries for the hybrid drivetrain. Though your Dad will still be able to get his golf bags along with two of his best mate’s bags in with some adjustment.
The Drive
The first thing you notice about the car when you start it up is the incredible silence. If you’re a hybrid virgin, you might think the engine wasn’t turned over. That’s due to the reason that as long as the batteries are charged, the car will rely on its batteries during the initial start-up.
Once on the move, the engine will turn itself on and off according to the driving situation. For example, the engine will be off while stopped at the traffic lights but will turn itself on again once speed picks up. The cool thing (literally) about the Camry Hybrid is that all the systems including the aircon continues to work even while it is running off batteries only. I have experienced the aircon getting hot in other hybrid cars when on electric power but none of that was evident in the Camry.
The 2.4-litre heart of the Camry produces 150 ponies on its own. It doesn’t sound like much but when combined with 40 more charged ponies from the motor drive, it gives very robust acceleration both from standstill and highway cruising speeds. Making overtaking manoeuvres a very uneventful and fluid affair. From a standstill, the Camry can do the century sprint in a touch over eight seconds.
The cruise on the highway in the Hybrid is just as smooth and compliant as its petrol siblings but with one difference. In the Hybrid, things are nearly almost always serene. Even with the accelerator floored, little to none of the engine’s furious efforts are heard within the passenger cabin. Combined this with the seamless changes from the CVT box and you have a very smooth ride.
Handling of the Camry has been slightly improved with more weight in the back due to the batteries and motors. It feels better balanced in the corners and understeer is less apparent on turn-in.
There is however one rather serious complaint. Like many other hybrids, the braking energy is recovered using the motor as a generator to recharge the batteries. In the Camry Hybrid, this system has somehow compromised the brake’s pedal feel tremendously. While coming to a stop at the lights, the Hybrid’s braking energy was always either inadequate or too much. So much that it activated the ABS a few times during my drive. I’m not sure if an owner will be able to get used to the lack of pedal feel but I found it hard to gauge in my 24 hours spent with it.
Conclusion
Kudos to Toyota for bringing a practical four door family sedan hybrid to the masses. The Camry Hybrid will bowl many over with its incredible range. It tips the economy scales at an impressive 16.4km/L which justifies its $15,000 premium over the standard Camry 2.4.
The car comes very well equipped with xenon lights, aircon seats, auto lights and electric blinds just to name a few. It also includes four airbags in the front among its list of equipment. The Camry scores moderately well in my books but would’ve scored much higher if Toyota sorted the brakes out a little more.
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