Vehicle Overview The Camry Hybrid uses Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, the system used in the Prius hybrid. The electric motor and four-cylinder gasoline engine combine to produce 187 horsepower with 33/34 mpg city/highway. Like most hybrid versions of existing gas-only models, the Camry Hybrid is based on one of its most expensive trim levels, and it falls somewhere between the uplevel SE and XLE’s standard equipment. The Camry competes with hybrid versions of the Saturn Aura, Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Altima (offered only in select states).
New for 2009 There are no significant changes on the Camry Hybrid.
Exterior The Camry Hybrid is virtually indistinguishable from gasoline-based Camrys. The main difference is the Camry Hybrid has a full chrome grille. Toyota says the car also has an acoustic noise-reducing windshield that’s exclusive to the hybrid.
At 189.2 inches long and 71.7 inches wide, its exterior dimensions are the same as a traditional Camry and about the same as its competitors.
Standard 16-inch steel wheels
Standard noise-reducing windshield
Standard chrome-tip exhaust
Standard power mirrors
Optional 16-inch alloy wheels
Optional heated mirrors
Optional moonroof
Interior Five occupants can fit inside the Camry Hybrid. Because the hybrid battery sits behind the rear seat, trunk volume is reduced from about 15 cubic feet to 10.6 cubic feet, which is more space lost than in the Aura and Malibu hybrids. A backseat center armrest, which comes standard on other Camrys, is not available in the hybrid model. The backseat does fold forward, but the opening to the trunk is little more than a shorter, wider version of the pass-thru some cars have behind their fold-down backseat armrests.
Available cloth or leather seating
Standard cruise control
Standard power locks and windows
Standard power-adjustable driver’s seat
Standard dual-zone climate control
Optional moonroof
Optional navigation system
Under the Hood The Camry Hybrid teams a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to make a combined 187 hp. Electric power comes from a high-voltage battery, which is recharged from the car’s braking friction. The hybrid comes with an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for all hybrid components, including the battery.
Standard 147-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 138 pounds-feet of torque
Standard continuously variable automatic transmission
Standard push-button start
Safety Safety features include:
Standard front-row side-impact airbags
Standard side curtain airbags
Standard driver’s side knee airbag
Standard antilock braking system with brake assist
