DOWN TO EARTH
Another benefit of the Camry hybrid vs. a Prius is that you get a somewhat normal looking vehicle. To some that is boring, but to others the design of the Prius is so out of left field they can’t see themselves driving it. And the dashboard is much less “spaceship-like” than the Prius.
This is much more traditional, and it doesn’t scream hybrid with its design, inside or out.
Inside, there are some layout/design issues -- as the location of radio buttons is somewhat far to reach and some of the control knobs seem unnecessarily large. Overall materials in the vehicle, though, are high quality and comfortable, and it’s a roomy vehicle for its size.
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
A backup camera is standard on the Camry hybrid, and wireless phone charging is offered. There are a plethora of safety features offered here (blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, front collision warning, etc.), so it’s competitive for the category in the tech arena.
The Entune infotainment system is easy enough to use and somewhat responsive, but not the best I’ve seen. But that’s not an issue specific to this vehicle -- it’s a general Toyota issue, as their infotainment offerings are due for an update to catch the competition.
Safety ratings across the board are at or near the top ratings, so Toyota’s reputation for safety holds up; similarly, you can expect a reliable vehicle with the Camry hybrid -- another reason Toyota’s sales are so high on the Camry lineup.
PRICE, BOTTOM LINE
My tester was priced just over $29,000; base price starts about $27K. This is a premium of about $4,000 over an equivalent non-hybrid Camry (which starts about $23K), though with the longevity of Toyota vehicles you’ll likely make that back on gas savings over time.
For fans of Toyota and of hybrids, the Camry is an excellent option for those who aren’t comfortable with the futuristic design of the Prius, and want a more traditional looking vehicle that still maintains strong fuel economy. It may be pretty boring, but boring works for a lot of people -- as evidenced by the mountains of Camry sales each year in this country and beyond.
Ford (Fusion), Hyundai (Sonata) and Honda (Accord) all offer strong competition to the Camry hybrid with their midsize hybid sedan offerings, and the battle is pretty close across the board in terms of quality (the Camry is bested at times in fuel economy, handling, and looks).
But numbers don’t lie and the Camry has enough going for it that it should continue to perform in the category despite not being the top dog in every single area.
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Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.
