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| 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid |
Redesigned for 2012, the Toyota Camry has identical dimensions and similar styling as its predecessor, but it's lighter and more fuel efficient. Competitors to the popular family sedan include the Honda Accord, the Ford Fusion and the Nissan Altima.
In ascending order, the Camry comes in L, LE, SE and XLE trim levels. You might have trouble finding a Camry L at a dealership: Toyota expects to sell the base model in only small numbers to commercial fleets. A four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission are standard; the SE and XLE offer a V-6.
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| 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid Engine |
Hybrid Elements
For a detailed overview of the styling and interior, see my Camry review. The Camry Hybrid looks less distinct than the previous generation, which had a different bumper and grille than its Camry counterpart. New instruments and a fuel-efficiency display distinguish the interior, but otherwise the cabin mirrors the Camry's.
Powering the electric motor, the Camry Hybrid's battery pack sits behind the rear seats, intruding on cargo space and sacrificing the folding backseat for what amounts to a glorified pass-through. (Still, that beats the Fusion Hybrid, whose backseat doesn't fold at all.) Toyota moved the battery pack forward 5.5 inches versus the last Camry Hybrid, and the resulting trunk measures 13.1 cubic feet. That improves over the last Camry Hybrid (10.6 cubic feet) and beats the Fusion Hybrid (11.8) and Sonata Hybrid (10.7).
Safety, Features & Pricing
As of this writing, the Camry has yet to be crash-tested. There are 10 standard airbags. As is required of all 2012 models, an electronic stability system and antilock brakes are standard. A blind spot warning system is optional on the XLE. Toyota hasn't priced the car, but given the last Camry Hybrid had more standard features, its successor should undercut its $27,050 price — and close the gap with the 2011 Sonata Hybrid's $25,795 starting price.
Standard features include keyless access with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, steering-wheel audio controls, Bluetooth and a USB/iPod-compatible stereo. The XLE adds a power driver's seat, a touch-screen stereo display and alloy wheels. Check all the options, and your Camry Hybrid will have a power passenger seat, heated partial-leather upholstery, JBL audio, two separate navigation systems (see the photos to compare), a moonroof and Toyota's Entune multimedia system.
Exterior
With dimensions identical to the outgoing Camry, and similar details, the 2012 Camry looks more like a refresh than a redesign. In back, the boomerang taillights add some visual interest. Apart from a few hybrid badges and blue-tinted Toyota logos, the Camry Hybrid looks identical to the Camry.
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| 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid Interior |
The cabin ditches the wraparound dash for a layered approach. Toyota intended the raised center control panel to suggest a levitating, iPad-like surface. It looks more planted than floating, but it's a fresh step not usually seen in family cars. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard.
And the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, can return 41 mpg, combined (43 mpg city/39 mpg highway) and when driven on just electric power (EV Drive mode) the car can hide to 1.6 miles in a maximum speed of 25 mph.
With sales over the United States likely to begin in October the 2012 Toyota Camry price will start from 21,955 USD, reaching 28,200 USD for that Hybrid XLE.
