Camry Hybrid
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wilson Calvert
Hybrids are still the hot topic in today’s auto world. Although gas prices are still relatively low, being under $3/gallon, slimming paychecks keep regular expenses, like gasoline, on the front of everyone’s minds. Although some models were developed from the ground up as hybrid models (Toyota Prius, Honda Insight) most of today’s hybrid models are modifications of traditional cars. Toyota has been more of the front runner with hybrid technology, and the 2010 Camry Hybrid shows their years of experience.
With the hybrid Camry, you get everything you love with the regular model, the 5-star crash ratings, the comfy interior, the smooth ride and the Toyota reliability, but it comes with the addition of the hybrid drive train. To do a short recap of what a hybrid car is, you have two means of propulsion. Your typical gasoline engine is equipped, but there is also an electric motor that helps propulsion from a resting start and during acceleration. The electric motor is powered by a bank of batteries that are charged whenever you tap the brakes. The result is quite spectacular. Gas mileage in the 4 cylinder non-hybrid Camry is rated at 22 city / 32 highway where the hybrid Camry is rated at 33 city / 34 highway, or a 50 percent increase in city mileage. I drove the Camry to Austin and back with a significant amount of hard city driving thrown in, and I traveled almost 550 miles on 13.5 gallons of gas, for a combined MPG of nearly 41. Absolutely incredible.
Cost: $26,150 base. $31,800 with delivery, convenience group, leather package and upgrade package including navigation and 18” wheels.
Mileage: 33 city / 34 highway
Final word: With hybrids, I think it’s important to look at the price difference and see how far you will have to drive to make your money back. As far as I can tell from Toyota’s Web site, going from a non-hybrid to a hybrid on a lower packaged model will set you back about $3,500. Lets say gas is $2.50/gallon, then your break even point is 92,400 city miles to make $3,500 in gas savings. Keep in mind, this is ignoring any additional maintenance the hybrid system may require, any additional value the car will have being a hybrid and that any highway miles don’t provide nearly the fiscal incentive that city miles do. Most Camry drivers I know keep their cars for a long time, so the hybrid is probably the way to go, with the extra benefit of helping the environment and reducing our dependency on foreign oil.
The Camry itself is a fantastic car that is the perennial highest sales car in America. The sound system was great, the interior fit and finish was well-done and the car itself was enjoyable to drive, especially on the highway. The Camry is a great pair for a hybrid drive train, and I think this is a perfect first hybrid vehicle for people to give it a shot.
