We've recently pointed to two reviews of the new
Toyota Camry Hybrid, one fairly
positive and the other fairly
negative. Now,
USA Today's test driver James Healey comes down a little bit on both side of the equation. He likes the
Camry's rated
fuel economy of 39-mpg (even though he only got 32.7 while testing the car and was not driving conservatively) and the feel of the roomy interior. He doesn't like extra cost or noise of the electric motor. Also, the shudder of the gasoline engine "seemed more pronounced than you get starting the engine in a conventional gasoline car", he wrote. So, the consensus seems to be that the Camry a good choice for people who need a room sedan with decent gas mileage, but we've got a ways to go until we get the holy grail of
hybrid vehicles.
[Source: USA Today via EV World]
[Source: USA Today via EV World]