LOOKS
The Toyota Camry is one of those vehicles that kind of sells itself (hence its regular ranking as the top-sellilng car in the U.S.), so there is no need to have a flashy design on it.

No, it’s not an ugly car, and improvements in the grille and other design features have been made to bolster the look for the 2015 model year, but its not going to jump out at you in a crowd. That’s OK, though, as the point of a vehicle like the Camry isn’t to dazzle you -- it’s to get you where you are going safely, reliably and comfortably.

Inside, to help achieve these goals, you’ll find a spaciously designed midsize ride, both in terms of leg room and head room. Materials are quality but not extravagant, which is key to maintain the price point of the Camry that is part of what makes it so popular.

ENGINE
This being the hybrid model of the Camry, you’ll get the Hybrid Synergy Drive System -- which combines a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a battery pack. This system works well and has for a long time, so there are no major changes in the power plant for the 2015 model year.

The ride in a Camry hybrid is not a thrilling one (there’s no hybrid I’ve driven that i would describe as truly “fun” or “thrilling” to drive), but it’s not one that’s going to leave you frustrated or annoyed. The acceleration in the Camry hybrid is about average for a hybrid sedan. The ride can also be a bit stiff at times, those on the upside you have good insulation from outside noise.

With a hybrid it’s all about expectations; If you’re expecting a Fast and Furious ride, you probably shouldn’t come to this segment in the first place. And if those expectations are kept in a realistic range, you’ll get used to the feeling of driving the Camry hybrid.

Are there other hybrids in this segment that are a bit more “fun” to drive? Most definitely -- the Ford Fusion hybrid is one that comes to mind -- so feel free to check out all the competition (Fusion, Accord, etc.) and see how big a difference there is in driving feel and which appeals most to you.

MPG
Here’s a key number in all of this -- 40 mpg. That’s what I averaged in the Camry hybrid, and is in line with the numbers of 40 city/38 highway and 40 combined mpg that are listed on the car’s sticker. It’s not the best you’ll find in this segment (The Prius does much better of course, and in the traditional cars the Ford Fusion hybrid also bests these numbers by a few digits), but it’s nothing to shake a stick at.

TECHNOLOGY
Tech features included on the Camry hybrid include: 6.1-inch touchscreen, Entune Audio, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and AUX ports, CD slot, power-adjustable seats, audio controls on steering wheel, voice controls, backup camera, tire pressure monitor, push-button start and dual-zone climate controls.

Upgrading to the Entune Premium Audio system will get you Navigation plus the App Suite. Screen gets larger (7 inches), plus you get HD Radio, Predictive Traffic and Weather, plus Satellite Radio with 3-months free.

I am not overly impressed with Toyota’s Entune infotainment system as compared to other automakers, as the on-screen menus are a bit clunky/unattractive and I find it less intuitive and easy to use. But you get used to it, and if that’s the biggest complaint about this vehicle the Camry is still doing pretty well (and it’s more of an overall Toyota issue, not a Camry problem).

SAFETY
Among standard safety features on the Camry hybrid are: Enhance Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Brake Assist and Smart Stop technology. Front seats are also designed to limit whiplash in case of a crash, and ten airbags are included.

If you go with the top trim level on the Camry hybrid, you can get an advanced technology package that features extra safety features: These include: adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning system, lane departure warning, blind spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems.

These features are all very helpful and can contribute greatly to your safety, so in the future I hope to see some of them offered as standard features.

PRICE
The base price of the 2015 Toyota Camry hybrid is $27,998. My test vehicle added features such as the Entune Premium Audio with Navigation and App Suite package, a power moonroof and more, so it came to a grand total of $32,987. If you go for the non-hybrid version of the Camry, base version starts out closer to $23K.

BOTTOM LINE
Toyota Camry is a perennial “ol’ reliable” car that many, many Americans will pick up and keep forever. You rarely hear negative words spoken about their vehicle by Camry owners, and there’s a reason for that. There’s rarely a reason to do so.

Add the perks of a hybrid to this already popular vehicle, and you’ll have a solid contender in the hybrid category too, so the 2015 Toyota Camry hybrid should have a good-sized group of potential buyers. Even though gas prices may be a bit low now, reality is that they won’t always be that way, so the hybrid segment continues to be one that folks will explore when car-shopping.

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Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.