Toyota Camry Hybrid, a Consumer Report's Best Value
The best Camry ever. That's what the latest press reports are claiming about the 2012 Toyota Camry hybrid. With its big jump in fuel economy -- 43/39 mpg; city/hwy -- and a corresponding price reduction, the new Camry hybrid is a winner.
Those are nice facts, you say, but you're still worried about unintended acceleration?
Who wouldn't be?
Fortunately, very few Camry hybrids were outfitted with the faulty CTS accelerator petal. In fact, as few as 11 total cars were equipped with the faulty part according to some reports. Moreover, even the government finally concluded that the real problem was driver error, not the Camry.
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Consumer Reports - Camry hybrid a best buy, despite recalls
Still, despite the recalls, Consumer Reports named the Toyota Camry hybrid its 10th Best Overall Value just after all the reports of runaway Toyota's filled the news. That's compared to ALL vehicles, not just hybrids. Again, CR made this pick after the recalls and during the so-called scandal.
That does't mean that Toyota doesn't have some problems, every automaker has problems, and recalls are a normal part of the auto business. Every automaker offers advantages and disadvantages, and on the whole, most Toyota vehicles according to data from Consumer Reports and JD Power are very safe and reliable and most Toyota consumers would buy from Toyota again.
In particular, however, the Toyota Camry hybrid is one of the Best Values available - not just from Toyota, but from all automakers - but that wasn't the only interesting thing Consumer Reports found.
According to Consumer Reports, the Camry hybrid and the Ford Fusion hybrid both averaged 34 mpg, despite the higher EPA numbers for the Fusion hybrid. And the Camry hybrid is cheaper. No doubt the Fusion hybrid is a fantastic hybrid, but the Camry hybrid is probably your better deal today. However, the upcoming Hyundai Sonata hybrid is giving the Camry hybrid a strong run for the money.
Despite the positive ratings from the likes of Consumer Reports, the Camry hybrid is not a hot seller, even as gas prices have risen this spring. That could, however, make the Camry hybrid one of the best hybrid deals heading into the summer driving season. Quite simply, dealerships might make a deal on the Camry hybrid, but you can be sure there won't be any deals on the Toyota Prius until gas prices crash.
Overall Toyota Camry sales have declined since the so-called recall scandal that was far overhyped in the media based on the data, including the final NHTSA report. And the Camry hybrid was hit even harder. But the facts speak for themselves.
The Camry hybrid is a great, safe buy, one currently being over-looked in the hybrid market. If gas prices keep rising, demand is sure to increase. Thus, acting now on a Camry hybrid might be the smartest hybrid move you can make today.
The hybrid
version of the Camry offers a 2.4-liter,
4-cylinder gas engine which achieves 147 horsepower with a maximum boost of 45 horsepower from the
electric motor. Thus, the combined gas/electric system can
temporarily produce 192 horsepower, about
the same as the V-6 engine version of today’s Camry, but with better than 4
cylinder fuel economy.
The
continuously variable transmission powered Camry hybrid has been
estimated by the EPA to achieve 33 mpg in the city and
34 mpg on the highway. (For more
on Camry hybrid fuel economy, check out our Camry
hybrid testimonials).
However, in my Camry hybrid experiences, much better fuel economy is possible. Unlike the Prius, however, it takes a bit longer for the engine to warm up and city fuel economy can be sluggish on very short trips.
Of course, if your trip is that short, maybe you should be walking. I mean, you must be an environmentalist if you're interested in a Camry hybrid, right?
Anyway, the Camry
hybrid is now produced in Kentucky, making it the
first Toyota hybrid produced in the U.S.. The
Kentucky plant is capable of producing more than 60,000
Camry hybrids per year.
So, if you're worried about buying a foreign-made car, at least this Toyota was assembled by American workers here in the US.
Recently,
I went hybrid shopping at a Toyota dealership and I found
a good selection of available Camry.
And, since the gas spike of 2008, dealers seem willing to negotiate the prices on Camry hybrids.
Still, if
you like the Prius, but need a more refined
ride, then the Camry hybrid could be your hybrid.
I love the
moonroof on the Camry hybrid, something unavailable on the Prius,
as well as the remote start. The Camry hybrid is my kind
of hybrid.
Let me be
honest, I love the Toyota Prius, but the Camry hybrid is just more comfortable. The
seats in the Camry hybrid are just better than the Prius
and the hybrid Camry can support my bad lower back in a
way the Prius just cannot achieve.
The Camry
hybrid simply does not disappoint.
Yes, the
Camry hybrid provides a little sticker shock when
compared to the standard Camry, but if you keep the
Camry hybrid for 5 to 7 years, the Camry hybrid can be a
smart financial move.
And, if gas prices keep going up,
or if most of your commuting is done in an urban setting,
the Camry hybrid, like the Prius, can be a very wise
investment and hedge against energy costs.
If you
like the Toyota Camry, then you'll love the Toyota Camry
hybrid.
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