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Toyota Camry Hybrid - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid has all the comfort, reliability and style usually associated with the Camry, with better fuel economy. Its combination of fuel-efficiency, and low long-term cost of ownership helped this car and its conventional Camry sibling win U.S. News' Best Car for the Money Award in the midsize car class

According to most automotive writers, the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a nice balance of performance, comfort and fuel economy.  It rides the line between an eco-friendly hybrid and a capable family sedan very well. Compared to another popular hybrid, the Toyota Prius, Newsday reports, "The Prius can't match the Camry's quietness and its elegant ride."

It's also considered a good value. CNN listed the mechanically identical 2008 Camry Hybrid as one of the most-cost effective hybrids sold today, based on a value equation that weighs its hybrid price premium against its annual fuel savings.  The Camry Hybrid is such a good value that it and the conventional Camry won U.S. News' Best Car for the Money Award in the midsize car class.

In 2009, Camry Hybrid shoppers have a few serious competitors to consider that weren't around until recently.  The Nissan Altima Hybrid  is one factor.  Nissan actually buys its hybrid drivetrain components from Toyota - so the two cars use the same propulsion system.  Some reviewers even say the Altima Hybrid has a more exciting ride that's tighter in the corners than Toyota's hybrid.The all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid is a factor as well. The Fusion Hybrid actually beats the camry on miles-per-gallon, and some say it's a more engaging driver's car.  As a brand new model, however, it doesn't have the proven reliability of this car.

Be sure to check for current Toyota Deals that may be available on a new Camry Hybrid.

• "If you want to be green but don't want to announce it to other road users, then the Camry hybrid makes sense." -- Car and Driver
• "The 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid's compelling duo of superior fuel economy and comfortable family sedan attributes makes it a top choice for a hybrid vehicle. On the opposite end of the driving excitement spectrum, Toyota's dull-but-frugal Prius offers similar passenger room, greater trunk space and better gas mileage for less money than the Camry." -- Edmunds
• "This may be the only car on earth able to satisfy performance junkies and ecoconservatives. It's a uniter, not a divider." -- Motor Trend
• "We had a galactic good time in the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. A sleek package and a smooth, spacey look give this sedan a rich feel without leaving out any functionality. If the smallish cargo space doesn't give you pause, I'd say blast off in this hybrid!" -- Mother Proof
• "Out of all the hybrid cars on the road today, I like the Camry hybrid the most; the 41 miles-per-gallon Ford Fusion hybrid goes on sale this spring so the competition is going to stiffen. But it's not the Camry hybrid's respectable 33 mpg in the city that wins me over, or even the silent electric motor pulling the car along at school zone speeds. It's that you quickly forget it's a hybrid vehicle while driving." -- Detroit News
• "A well-equipped sedan that holds big people in comfort while getting the mileage of a coupe or sedan better suited to Smurfs." -- Chicago Tribune

Camry-Hybrid Performance - 7.9 (Good)

Green tech aside, 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid drives well. When describing the ride, the Detroit News says, "It's butter. Smooth and quiet, the little 16-inch wheels never feel harsh on even Detroit's winter-marred highways. In the snow, the wheels bit down and chewed through the city's unplowed streets. The sedan feels heavy in a good, well planted sort of way." Still, the stopping and starting of the Camry Hybrid's engine and the regenerative braking might take some getting used to. Read More

Camry-Hybrid Exterior - 8.0 (Very Good)

The Camry Hybrid doesn't look like the space-age Prius, but many people say that's part of its appeal. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram notes, "There's no oddball styling that pronounces to the world that it's a 'green' car... so if you're wanting a gasoline-electric hybrid car to make an obvious statement to your fellow motorists that you're energy- and environmentally conscious, the…Camry Hybrid might not be the vehicle for you." Read More

Camry-Hybrid Interior - 8.4 (Very Good)

Reviewers like that the 2009 Camry Hybrid is a comfortable vehicle that's packed with features. According to the Los Angeles Times, it's "loaded to the gills." Mother Proof's reviewer likes the convenience of the controls, also noting, "Power seats adjust in every direction, and the steering wheel tilts and telescopes into the perfect piloting position. There are controls for the stereo and phone on the steering wheel, so I didn't have to let go of the wheel to manage things. And obviously, what spaceship would be complete without a huge moonroof for stargazing?" Read More

Camry-Hybrid Safety - 8.7 (Very Good)

The 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid has a competitive list of safety equipment and very good government crash test ratings. Read More

Camry-Hybrid Reliability - 10.0 (Excellent)

The 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Toyota offers a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty for the 2009 Camry Hybrid. Read More