Styling:
With the 2016 model, Toyota has thrown away the Camry's sensible suit and replaced it with a snazzy new tux. The grill is aggressively sculpted and is huge, especially noticeable on the SE model. The headlight's are sculpted to flow with the nose of the car, and the fog lamps are cut into the bumper like the gills on a shark. The Toyota hybrid's badge gets a stylish blue accent to distinguish it from conventional Camrys with standard badges. Overall, the new Camry, regardless of model, has amped up it's appearance with a more aggressively sculpted body that tries to make the Camry stand out in the crowded family sedan market.
Performance:
Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system combines a 2.5 liter 4 cylinder with an electric motor to produce 200 net horsepower, switching between gas, electric, and combined power to get the best performance and efficiency. The hybrid system's regenerative braking helps charge the batteries while on the go. Another fuel saving feature is EV mode, which allows the driver of the Camry Hybrid to drive at speeds up to 25 mph on full electric power if the battery is sufficiently charged. The Hybrid also replaces the tachometer with a gauge that provides battery status and your selected driving mode, either "Power" or "Eco", to suit your desired driving style. Fuel economy ratings are very impressive, with 40mpg city and 38mpg highway. The LE version gets even better fuel economy with 43mpg city and 39mpg highway. To sum up, the Hybrid's powertrain hasn't changed much, but it still proves to be a competent system in today's market.
Interior Features/Comfort:
The interior of the 2016 Camry is similar to that of the 2014 model, but it does have a better dashboard flow and new features. To start, the entire dash has nice contrasting stitching and grey wood trim. Most of the dash is padded in a faux leather trim, but some surfaces seem harder than expected. Fortunately, the armrests on the doors are trimmed in soft leather, making them comfy to rest your arm on. The seats in the Camry are very comfortable and attractive, with white contrasting stitching and smooth, supportive leather. They are power adjustable and heated, but competitors such as the Hyundai Sonata feature cooled seats as well. Rear leg room is plentiful, even with the drivers seat pushed far back. There is also plenty of headroom and an abundance of cupholders. The Camry's controls are very easy to use, with six huge buttons to preform functions for the Entune navigation system, and easy-to-see climate control buttons. The standard Entune system comes with a 7 inch display featuring navigation with traffic alert, Bluetooth, backup camera, and a six speaker stereo. A 10 speaker JBL GreenEdge system is optional, and comes paired with the standard Entune equipment. Other features such as wireless charging and a moonroof are also available. One major drawback of most hybrids is a reduced amount of trunk space, and the Camry Hybrid suffers from this inherent trade-off. At first glance, 13.1 cubic feet of space seems decent, but not being able to fold down the rear seats is a drawback if you need to load larger items. Overall, the Camry's interior is a nice place to spend your time behind the wheel, but competitors such as the Hyundai Sonata are loaded with more features and offer a higher quality feel without costing any more.
Driving Experience: Based on the limited time I had behind the wheel of the Camry, the news is mostly good. To start, the Camry has an extremely isolated and quiet cabin. Only the teeniest amount of road noise seeps into the cabin, and the suspension soaks up bumps with unhindered composure. Unfortunately, I never got to drive the Camry on backroads or highways, but I assume the highway ride is quiet and composed. The driving position was comfortable with tons of adjustment thanks to adjustable lumbar support and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel that was thick and grippy. While driving the Camry, you know you're in a big car. It feels wide, but not too wide to be annoying or troublesome to drive. Driving the Camry is a piece cake. Visibility is good and the steering is light and predictable. Power from the hybrid system is seamless and provides decent acceleration, although I wouldn't call it fast. Transitions between electric and hybrid power are seamless, keeping the driving experience close to what it would be in a normal Camry. One thing that may take some getting used to is the regenerative braking system. It works well, but the brakes don't feel as linear as they would in a standard car. A bonus of the system is that the brakes last much longer due to the regenerative system providing most of the stopping power. Overall, the Camry Hybrid drives like you'd expect from a Camry. It is comfortable with a good ride, easy to drive, and has a smooth, unobtrusive powertrain.
So What Do We Think? The Camry Hybrid is a perfectly sensible choice for anybody looking for a comfortable, practical, and efficient vehicle that'll take them wherever life brings them. Its refreshed, sharp body adds some much-needed flair to the dull Camry formula, making the Camry a much more appealing buy. The interior gets the job done with plenty of space, nice features, and comfy seats. It also has great value, stickering at $33,050, although some features such as a premium audio system and parking sensors are missing at this price point. I cannot put out any buying recommendations with such a short drive, but I definitely suggest that anyone looking for a fuel efficient sedan should keep the Camry Hybrid on their list. I would also recommend checking out the Honda Accord Hybrid, which achieves an astonishing 50mpg city and 45mpg highway. Thanks for reading and best of luck with your hybrid buying experience!
Driving Experience: Based on the limited time I had behind the wheel of the Camry, the news is mostly good. To start, the Camry has an extremely isolated and quiet cabin. Only the teeniest amount of road noise seeps into the cabin, and the suspension soaks up bumps with unhindered composure. Unfortunately, I never got to drive the Camry on backroads or highways, but I assume the highway ride is quiet and composed. The driving position was comfortable with tons of adjustment thanks to adjustable lumbar support and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel that was thick and grippy. While driving the Camry, you know you're in a big car. It feels wide, but not too wide to be annoying or troublesome to drive. Driving the Camry is a piece cake. Visibility is good and the steering is light and predictable. Power from the hybrid system is seamless and provides decent acceleration, although I wouldn't call it fast. Transitions between electric and hybrid power are seamless, keeping the driving experience close to what it would be in a normal Camry. One thing that may take some getting used to is the regenerative braking system. It works well, but the brakes don't feel as linear as they would in a standard car. A bonus of the system is that the brakes last much longer due to the regenerative system providing most of the stopping power. Overall, the Camry Hybrid drives like you'd expect from a Camry. It is comfortable with a good ride, easy to drive, and has a smooth, unobtrusive powertrain.
So What Do We Think? The Camry Hybrid is a perfectly sensible choice for anybody looking for a comfortable, practical, and efficient vehicle that'll take them wherever life brings them. Its refreshed, sharp body adds some much-needed flair to the dull Camry formula, making the Camry a much more appealing buy. The interior gets the job done with plenty of space, nice features, and comfy seats. It also has great value, stickering at $33,050, although some features such as a premium audio system and parking sensors are missing at this price point. I cannot put out any buying recommendations with such a short drive, but I definitely suggest that anyone looking for a fuel efficient sedan should keep the Camry Hybrid on their list. I would also recommend checking out the Honda Accord Hybrid, which achieves an astonishing 50mpg city and 45mpg highway. Thanks for reading and best of luck with your hybrid buying experience!
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