Second Opinion: 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid

2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Click image to enlarge

Power for the Camry Hybrid’s electric drive components comes from a battery found behind the rear seat. Again, that’s typical practice, and has a similar negative effect on interior space: the trunk is smaller, offering 370 L (13.1 cu. ft.) of volume to the gas-only Camry’s 436 L (15.4 cu. ft). And while the hybrid’s back seat folds, it does so to reveal a tiny pass-through to the passenger cabin, rather than the full-sized opening found in the standard car.

But here’s why I really like the Camry Hybrid more than any other dual-power Toyota: with a decently-charged battery, this car’s drivetrain allows realistic (though still leisurely) electric-only acceleration from stoplights that won’t piss off everyone in line behind you, without resorting to manually activating its EV (electric vehicle) mode. This is something I’ve been wishing for in a hybrid for years, and finally, Toyota has made it happen.

That brings to mind a conversation I had with Paul Williams and a couple of other local auto reviewers, wherein we lamented that the Prius V—whose only flaw is that it’s possibly the slowest car in the world—isn’t available with the Camry Hybrid’s drivetrain. I averaged 5.1 L/100 km in a week of driving a Prius V (not far off my observed economy in the Camry), including more than 800 km of highway cruising with two people and a trunk nearly full of luggage. I shudder to think what that car with four adults and even more stuff would be like to drive around the block, never mind on a long road trip.

The Camry hybrid proves that Toyota knows how to combine similar efficiency with far more impressive performance, so why not offer this car’s bigger power along with the Prius V’s bigger interior? Perhaps it has to do with battery technology and size. I can’t see the Camry’s drivetrain itself being so much larger than the Prius’ that it wouldn’t fit under that car’s hood.

If you don’t like the Camry (certainly, there are more compelling family sedans), the hybrid model won’t swing your vote to Toyota’s team. But if the only thing keeping you out of a hybrid is the lack of one combining the expected fuel efficiency with real-car horsepower, then this big sedan starts to look like a really good deal next to the Prius V, which goes for a little more than $27,000 in base form, and more than $31,000 with an options list similar to the Camry Hybrid XLE’s.

The Camry Hybrid may not be a car that many will lust after, but that doesn’t mean it’s not desirable.

Pricing: 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Base Price LE: $26,990
Base Price XLE: $28,990
Options: $5,520 (Leather and Premium Audio Package (10-speaker Premium JBL Audio, 7-in. AVN monitor, garage door opener, power moonroof, navigation system, backup camera, anti-theft system, glass breakage sensor, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, heated front seats, leather-trimmed ultra suede upholstery)
A/C tax: $100
Freight: $1,490
Price as Tested: $36,100

Specifications
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid