2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Exciting Frugality

The all-new Camry Hybrid won't light hearts on fire with its looks, but those who pine for better fuel efficiency will be smitten.

Performance

The Camry’s Hybrid Synergy Drive combines an eco-tuned 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 147 hp with an electric motor that can produce up to 45 hp and, more importantly, up to 203 pound-feet of torque instantaneously. Power for the electric motor is stored in a 245-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The powertrain can thus deliver up to 192 hp and runs through a continuously variable transmission.

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The driving experience in the Camry Hybrid is remarkably normal. Most of the time you can quite simply forget that you’re driving a hybrid, because it behaves almost exactly like a gasoline-engine car — which says a lot about the sophistication of the hybrid system. At stoplights, when the gasoline engine will shut off completely, if you accelerate lightly the car may move in electric-only mode up to 10 mph or 20 mph, to be joined seamlessly by the gasoline engine. When you’re slowing, the system recharges the battery through a regenerative braking system that captures energy dissipated during deceleration. It’s nearly imperceptible when it engages.

While the hybrid system might be barely evident much of the time, your lower fuel bills and fewer fuel stops will be quite noticeable. Fuel economy is the focus behind the Camry Hybrid, and it boasts praiseworthy EPA figures of 43 mpg city/37 mpg highway. While the EPA estimates seldom represent reality, especially for hybrids, it’s safe to say that you can expect overall fuel economy to be more than 30 mpg in most types of driving. And that may translate to a range of more than 500 miles.

There’s an “ECO” button on the dash of the hybrid model; engaging it doesn’t affect all-out performance, but it allows the HVAC system to function in a low-energy-consumption mode and should allow slightly better fuel economy, potentially at the expense of some passenger comfort.

If you’re looking for high performance, the Camry Hybrid isn’t the right choice. It has respectable acceleration, though, at 8.9 seconds from zero to 60 mph. And it does especially well when powering up to pass vehicles on the road. We had the Camry Hybrid up to highway cruising speeds only for a brief time, but didn’t notice any difficulty maintaining steady speed — due to the cyclical on/off nature of the electric boost — that owners of earlier hybrid models complained about.

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The Camry Hybrid weighs about 350 pounds more than a standard Camry — so it isn’t exactly nimble. The handling is sharp enough for most everyday driving, but you’ll probably notice that extra weight in sudden changes of direction; again, don’t expect to hustle it along mountain roads like a sport sedan.

But to aid handling and safety, the Hybrid does come with Toyota’s latest stability control system (called VDIM). Unlike traditional systems (like VSC, offered on other Toyota and Lexus models), which can individually apply the brakes and back off the throttle to regain control in a skid situation, VDIM takes a more proactive approach and anticipates a skid before it happens by interfacing fully with the other electronic aids onboard, like brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, the regenerative braking system that keeps the hybrid battery recharged, and the all-electric steering system. For instance, VDIM can vary the steering assist in a direction that will help the driver stay in control.

Those who like the idea of a hybrid but are looking for more performance might consider the less-efficient but faster Honda Accord Hybrid, which pairs a potent V6 with an electric motor. Those willing to spend considerably more for a high-performance sport sedan should definitely take the upcoming Lexus GS 450h for a spin.

There may be other alternatives in the pipeline with flashier looks or better performance, but at an estimated 43 mpg in the city from a comfortable sedan with real space for five and their bags, the Hybrid Camry is just plain exciting.